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For most people seeing Machu Picchu is the cherry on their Peruvian cake. Indeed the ancient Inca site is perhaps one of the most stunning in the world.I had read the blogs, scoured photos and memorized the history of Machu Picchu before I even set foot in Peru and yet on arrival to Machu Picchu I was still blown away. You cannot help but be impressedHere is a site which will help you with practicalitieshttp://www.machu-picchu.info/There a re a couple of ways to see M.PThe most adventurous way is to take one of the many treks. The assortment on offer can be confusing but one name that kept coming up in my reading was www.lla
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For most people seeing Machu Picchu is the cherry on their Peruvian cake.
Indeed the ancient Inca site is perhaps one of the most stunning in the world.
I had read the blogs, scoured photos and memorized the history of Machu Picchu before I even set foot in Peru and yet on arrival to Machu Picchu I was still blown away.
You cannot help but be impressed
Here is a site which will help you with practicalities
http://www.machu-picchu.info/
There a re a couple of ways to see M.P
The most adventurous way is to take one of the many treks.
The assortment on offer can be confusing but one name that kept coming up in my reading was www.llamapath.com.
It seems they had many alternative tours that take the adventurer off the well beaten Inca trail as well as stating they care for their porters welfare
These treks vary from 4-12 days and involve hiking and camping (usually with the porters carrying your equipment) and vary greatly in price so do shop around but also realize the trek is tough and in high altitude so don’t scrimp too much…you do get what you pay for so look for companies with good recommendations
For those with less time to spare there are other options
There is short trek available (2 days/I night) However on this trek it is no longer possible to camp by Machu Picchu overnight so the trekkers have to return down to Aguas Caliente for the evening.
The easiest alternative is to take the train from Cuzco (or Ollantaytambo) to Aguas Calinte and from A.G its possible to walk (very steep and not terribly exciting) up or take the $14 shuttle
I understand its very enticing to want to hike up but if you cannot spare the 4 days for the full hike I highly recommend taking the shuttle bus up and saving your energies for hikes within the site
Tickets to enter Machu Picchu are bought in Aquas Calinte from the main square and at the time I wrote this were 124 soles (about $42) Its not cheap !!!
If you return multiple days be aware that you must buy the tickets again.
On entering Machu Picchu they tell you no bottles (water) or food. They are trying so very hard to protect the environment yet at the same time the hiking within Machu Picchu can be strenuous too so I suggest sneaking in a bottle of water and snack bar but please don’t little.
There are no rubbish bins in Machu Picchu and no vendors…It makes it more special this way so help keep it clean
Depending how you arrive in Machu Picchu will determine your first view. Treks arrive via the Sungate and avoid tourist entry point. Their view (from the Sungate) is quiter and more atmospheric for sure
If you arrive via bus (or the walk uphill) you will enter with the majority of the tourists. On entry there will be the option to walk up (long route) or down (short route)
The Long route is not too difficult and takes you to the best viewing platform in the whole park. Vista Panormic where most people capture the typical shots you see of Machu Picchu with the building in the foreground and the towering peak of Wayne Picchu (old peak) behind,
We were there out of season and other than a few tour groups coming and going it was not too crazy at all.
Because we stayed in Aguas Caliente and did not come as part of a tour we were able to arrive and leave when we wanted.
There were times we felt almost alone amongst the Inca sites and that is when it felt really special
Look out for the wandering llama around Machu Picchu. They will add a fun dimension to your holiday snaps
If you haven’t hiked here there are a couple of great hikes within the park.
Waynu Picchu is the "young" peak which you see in the background of most M.P photographs. Only 400 people are allowed to hike this peak per day so get there early if you want to be one of them.
Its roughly 1 hour each way; although of course it is much tougher going up than down. The climb is steep and I often needed to use my hands on the uneven stairs. At one point there was even a narrow cave to climb through.
The view from the top however is so very worth it.
Another internal hike is to the Sungate which is where the trekkers enter. Again the hike to the Sungate is about an hour each way. Its not as steep as Waynu Picchu but don’t think its easy either.
This hike will test your energy levels and at the same time give you a taste for what the trekkers see on their own arrival Read Less
Member Rating 5 out of 5 on April 6, 2009
Machu Picchu Inca Archaeological Site
Above The Urubamba Valley
Cusco Region, Peru