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The Top 5 Travel Mistakes In Machu Picchu Peru

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:44:34 +0000

For such a well-worn travel destination, it’s surprisingly easy to make some pretty simple mistakes when planning a a travel to Machu Picchu thanks to confusing transportation schedules, conflicting advice, and what we like to call “Peru time.” There’s also been a lot of misinformation out there after last summer’s devastating floods, but the UNESCO World Heritage Site is now back open for visits from the public, and rest assured that it looks as breathtaking as ever.

Based on our recent visit to the lost city of the Inca, we’ve compiled this handy Jaunted guide of What Not To Do In Machu Picchu: The Top 5 Tourist Mistakes. Buena suerte!.

5. Don’t acclimate in Cusco
Face it, everywhere around Machu Picchu is high-altitude, and the dangers of altitude sickness, or soroche as it’s called in Peru, are real. No matter how good of shape you’re in, you’ll be huffing and puffing as you hike among the ruins, and you might get a slight headache. That’s why a lot of travel guides and tour companies suggest spending a day or two in Cusco acclimating to the thin air. We think that’s a mistake for a few reasons, however.

First, Cusco is at a lung-popping elevation of 3,400 meters, or 11,500 feet, while Machu Picchu is almost a kilometer lower at 2,430 meters, or just under 8,000 feet. They’re both still pretty high, but we’re fans of gradual change, so that’s why after our flight to Cusco, we continued straight on to Machu Picchu and were no worse for wear. Then, when we returned to Cusco a few days later, we acclimated to the even higher altitude much easier. No lightheadedness, no trouble breathing, no headaches.

The story is different if you plan to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu—then you definitely need to acclimate in Cusco. But if you’re just taking the train, one of the reasons people suggest waiting to go to Machu Picchu is the difficulty arranging transport to the ruins immediately from the airport, but there are plenty of options like…

The view from the Backpacker Train of the river that caused all those flooding problems recently

4. Don’t take the train all the way from Cusco
It might seem like the simplest way to go, but it’s a huge mistake to take PeruRail or IncaRail all the way from Cusco. Not only because parts of the tracks still haven’t been repaired from the flood damage from last summer (we hear that getting to and from the town of Poroy on the route is nearly impossible), but because even once the lines are back up and running full steam, it takes a lot longer than hopping on a bus or taxi to the town of Ollytatambo in the Sacred Valley and taking the train from there. The taxi ride costs about $20 (the bus is even less at around $5) and takes just under 90 minutes as opposed to the 2.5 hours we hear the train can run.

3. Don’t take the Vistadome train
Unless you’re dishing out hundreds of dollars for the first-class service on the luxury Hiram Bingham, you’ll be taking either the Vistadome or Backpacker train to the town of Machu Picchu. The Vistadome is nicer in several respects: it has fewer seats, there’s just one intimate car, they serve little snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and the windows in the roof that give the train its name really do give you great views of the surrounding countryside.

However, it costs almost $50 more than the regular old Backpacker Train, which gets you to Machu Picchu just as fast. The cars (there are usually 4 or so on the train) are all self-contained, so you won’t have to worry about people roaming up and down the aisles. There are plenty of windows for you to snap photos from, and there’s still full luggage service so all your things make it to Machu Picchu with you. The only real drawback is that there are no snacks or drinks for sale, so you need to bring something with you, though the ride is just 90 minutes. And with the $50 you save, you can go out for a nice dinner once you arrive.

Inside the Backpacker Train

2. Don’t think the staying at the Sanctuary Lodge is the only option for catching sunrise at Machu Picchu.
We’re not discouraging you from staying at this gorgeous Orient-Express property if you want to. It is in an unparalleled setting right outside the main gate to Machu Picchu, with beautiful rooms and an excellent restaurant. It’s just that it can be impossible to get a reservation at the small hotel without booking months and months in advance, and when you do, you’ll be paying several hundred dollars a night as a premium. That’s because the hotel, and many guides, bill a stay at the property as essential to getting into Machu Picchu ahead of the crowds. Based on our recent experience, though, that’s not the case.

Instead, we stayed at the newest five-star luxury property in the town of Machu Picchu down at the base of the mountain—the more moderately priced Sumaq Hotel—and the following morning, we were able to catch a bus up to the ruins at 5:30am sharp, and were among the first wandering amongst the ruins.

Inside our room at the Sumaq Hotel

1. Don’t plan on paying by credit card
Luckily we were told before we arrived in Machu Picchu that we’d need to pay for our transportation from Cusco and our entrance tickets to the ruins in cash—either American dollars or Peruvian soles. That rang up to almost $150 in cash, so be sure your checking account is up to the strain, and that you can pull out the money in Cusco before hitting the tracks to Machu Picchu, because once you’re there, there’s no way to take out money to pay for your tickets, and the guards at the gate aren’t exactly friendly or understanding.

We know we’ve already given you five things to think about, but here are a few more quick tips on what not to forget for your time at Machu Picchu:

Cusco might be a high desert, but Machu Picchu is definitely a sub-tropical jungle, meaning it can get very cold at night but downright steamy during the days. So don’t forget to pile on the layers for your day at the ruins. Also, don’t forget: sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and comfortable shoes (the ground is uneven and cobblestoned).

There are no concessions within the park, and the snack stand outside the gate is a rip off, so pack a bottle of water and a little snack if you need one because you don’t want to have to keep hiking back and forth to the entrance.

Perhaps most importantly: remember how we told you to bring cash? That includes to the ruins themselves, because it costs you a sole each time you use the bathroom, and no matter how hard you beg (or how gracefully you do the pee pee dance), the attendants will not let you in without handing over a shiny coin.

[All photos: Eric Rosen for Jaunted]

Eric Rosen traveled to Machu Picchu courtesy of PromPeru, but all opinions expressed are his own.

Source: http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/7/14/04049/6995/travel/What+Not+To+Do+In+Machu+Picchu%3A+The+Top+5+Tourist+Mistakes

Travel train to Machu Picchu reopened

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:29:49 +0000

USA actress Susan Sarandon joined hundreds of travelers on the train to the Inca site Machu Picchu, Peru’s main tourist attraction, which has been formally reopened after two months of repairs.

A 40-kilometre stretch of the rail system was opened on Monday. But from the nearest city of Cuzco, travelers will have to go some 70 kilometres by bus.

Sarandon was among the many foreign travellers who took part in the reopening day activities.

Machu Picchu was closed for two months in a major blow to the South American nation’s tourism receipts, after a devastating storm that killed seven people.

At the time, some 3500 people had to be evacuated from the ancient citadel by air when rains battered the country in late January.

The 15th-century city perched around 2500 metres above sea level is the most visited site in South America, a pillar of the Cuzco region and the source of 90 percent of Peru’s tourist revenues, according to the country’s finance ministry.

The railway was damaged in hundreds of places by flooding and landslides prompted by the rains.

Travel to Peru with us: Travel South America by Real South America

Inti Raymi Festival 2010 – Footsteps Of The Incas

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:58:46 +0000

Cuzco is considered by many to be the most impressive old city in the South America to travel.

Travel to Machu Picchu is often called the 8th wonder of the world. Cuzco was the center of the Inca Empire, which extended to present day Peru, Andes´s Chile, Ande´s Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia; and its buildings reflect the power of that great empire. After experiencing the grandeur of Cuzco, you will hike the Inca Trail, a journey that gives hiking a whole new meaning. You do not have to be an expert in order to enjoy this expedition to the lost city. Many hikers consider this trail to be the most beautiful in the world. If you have ever felt like hiking in a heavenly place, this is your chance! Your final destination – Machu Picchu – is not only breathtaking but awe inspiring.

Both Machu Picchu and Cuzco are awe inspiring, and you have the chance to explore them accompanied by an expert guide and your group tour companions! You will also have the opportunity to participate in the Inti Raymi celebration, or the Inca Festival of the Sun.

The Incas would celebrate Inti Raymi on the day of Peru’s winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, as a way of calling the Sun god back to Cuzco. Now, you and your traveling companions can participate in the reenactment of this great Inca ritual.

Download Itinerary Outline - Footsteps of the Incas Inti_Raymi Festival

Adventure holidays: hot tips for 2010 in South America

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:46:48 +0000

Adventure holidays: hot tips for 2010 (guardian.co.uk) “We asked the experts to reveal the trips they are most excited about” – from Peru to Patagonia.

2 of South America’s locations made the list: Off the beaten track in Northern Peru and Island-hopping in The Falkland Islands.

11. Off the beaten track, Northern Peru

Although less accessible than the south, northern Peru is deeply intriguing – pre-Inca archaeological sites are abundant and still being discovered. Highlights include the Tombs of Sipan: discovered largely intact in 1987, with many precious gold and ceramic artefacts. Other sites include the Huacas del Sol y Luna (adobe pyramids) and the Gocta Falls, one of the world’s tallest waterfalls, while rare pink dolphins swim in this region’s section of the Amazon.

When? June to October

12. Island-hopping, The Falkland Islands

For many the Falklands will always conjure up images of war, but today they are increasingly a venue for tourism. You can stay in friendly B&Bs, walk in the unspoilt wilderness and immerse yourself in the local culture. Then jump on board an eight-seater plane to explore neighbouring islands where, if you’re lucky, you may encounter penguins, sea lions and orcas.

When? November to February

Prom Peru wins Travel South America’s leading tourist board award

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:37:52 +0000

The World Travel Awards announced Peru’s Tourism and Export Promotion Board (PromPeru) as the winner of category “South America’s Leading Tourist Board”, while Jorge Chavez International Airport won the “Leading Airport” category and Ramada Costa Del Sol finished in first position in category “Leading Airport Hotel” in South America.

CC Image courtesy by Szeke on Flickr

It should be noted that the World Travel Awards are described by the Wall Street Journal as the “Oscar” of the global travel and tourism industry, unveiled who were the best of the best in the region.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry.

With thousands of votes cast by travel professionals from 160,000 travel agencies in over 200 countries across the globe, winning a World Travel Award has become one of the highest accolades a travel product can achieve.

PromPeru seeks to promote the cultural wealth of Peruvian regions including their customs, traditions, typical dishes and dances, among other tourist attractions.

The magic and mystery of Nazca Peru

admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:12:01 +0000

A trip to Peru is fascinating and magical. Its varied scenery, from its desert coastline to its lush mountains and fertile valleys, its tasty seafood, and its absorbing ancient culture are among the most interesting experiences in South America. Sightseeing in Peru is an other-worldly experience. It offers a plethora of scenic landscapes, as well as a cultural mix that is evident in both its architecture and customs. The first taste makes the traveler curious to know more.

Visit Machu Picchu, the most recognized settlement of the Incas, located in the southern Peruvian Andes in a unique and mystical setting. To tour this holy place is to witness an archaeological site with architectonic and engineering innovations which have survived the ages. There are no words to describe the magnificence of such a scene, which has become one of the most highly-sought destinations for tour operators in Peru.

Cordillera Blanca is the perfect place for trekking, climbing, cycling, rafting, or to simply enjoy the highest mountain in Peru. Huascaran National Park includes the whole Cordillera Blanca which is 4,000 meters above sea level and deserving of the Unesco World Biosphere Reserve status. Visiting this part of central Peru is a dream-come-true for nature and archeology lovers.

The famous Nazca lines, located in the south west of the country, are a set of gigantic ancient zoomorphic and geometric figures, some simple and others more complex. All images are mapped onto the surface and can be seen in their entirety only from the air. There are more questions than answers about how between 200 BC and 700 BC, inhabitants of this desert were able to draw such immense images on the ground. Close by is located Cerro Blanco, which, at a height of 2, 078 meters, is the highest dune in the world, an ideal destination for sand boarding and para-gliding in Peru.

Peru is a country with a strong indigenous tradition that can be seen in the colorful markets where each item can be viewed as a small masterpiece. Pisac, a small town located in the Sacred Valley, is one of the best ways to see how the Quechua tradition is experienced today. Pisac´s Sunday Market is well-known and is ideal for having direct contact with locals who are selling their products. At the same time, Pisac is an ideal starting point for tour of Peru, visiting archaeological sites, breathtaking scenery and the local flora and fauna.

Peru is about discovering new tastes and scents, unique music, hallowed stories, and congenial people. Ancient history and modern life run together in a poetic and captivating way, resulting in a beautiful country hard to leave behind.

Source: merinews.com