Machu Pichu HELP!
 

We are going to the Galapagos Islands the beginning of December which we are told is a great time to go. Is this true? We would like to visit Machu Pichu previous to this (3rd week of Novemberish). Will the weather be okay or should we reconsider the timing of the entire trip?
We don't want to 'rough it' but want a good experience. Any suggestions for tours? We may fly Quito round trip from Los Angeles and so would need a land tour Quito round trip taking in Machu Pichu, Lake Titicaca etc.. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you!

Just returned from a Lindlbad Expedition to Galapagos and Machu Picchu. Cannot recomment them highly enough! First class service, hotels, food, and most importantly: the best naturalists available, which is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE TRIP!! Lindblad is pricey -- but you definitely get what you pay for.
You will be going in the Spring, which I understand is beautiful. You might go to expeditions.com (the Lindblad website) and see what they describe at that time of year...it's a fantastic trip whenever you go (although I'd avoid February, which is the peak of the rainy season.

I just returned from a 7 day trip to the Galapagos in the Explorer II, and two days at Machu Picchu. What an awesome trip. Our trip was planned through Far Horizons Travel Agency in Panama City, Fl, with Phyllis. She did a perfect job. We were met at every step of the way, and never ever felt uncertain about anything. Explorer II is a terrific seagoing hotel. The staff is highly professional and friendly and courteous; the guides are awesome, esp. Walter. I don't think it matters what you do first. But if you plan a trip to the Galapagos, try to do the 7 day trip. There is SO much to see. It is also a physically demanding trip--at least for me--with climbing in and out of the panga and up the stairway to the ship deck; and then the very demanding hikes to the islands. If you are not physically fit, start now. Stair stepping is a good way to go!!! It is well worth every minute. What you see is beyond incredible.

We flew from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to the Galapagos, then Guayaqil to Lima to Cusco, Peru, for our visit to Machu Picchu. Cusco is a wonderful town. I loved it. If you stay there, try eating at Inka Inn. The food is great. You take an early ( 6 a.m.) train to MPicchu. The view is stunning. You "land" at Agua Caliente and take a bus or van up to Machu Picchu. The tour of the ruins is quite demanding as far as walking in the high altitude; but what a great site.

We stayed at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. It is expensive but worth it as you are right there, and after the tourists leave, you get a better sense of the place. But it also is reassuring to be at a better hotel re food and water. Great lodging. Same for Monasterio in Cusco.
Make sure you take toilet paper. While Peru & Ecuador have very good bathrooms with paper, the airports have no paper. Sometimes if you look on the bathroom wall, you might find a toilet paper container. I was not bothered at all by altitude sickness, but just be on the safe side and take Tylenol, or even get a prescription for altitude medicine. I did get a wicked headache as we landed in Cusco that lasted nearly 10 hours.
If you have any further questions, feel free to email me: [email protected]

I definitely agree about staying at the Sanctuary Lodge...2 days in Machu Picchu is a must! I drank a lot of "mate de coca" (coca tea) and never got altitude sickness...that stuff really works...and you can get it everywhere!

I disagree completely about the Sanctuary Lodge. Yes it is right at the ruins but that is the ONLY thing going for it. The building looks like a prefab shed and the rooms are tiny. I also don't think the food was that great. However, it was very overpriced.
In my opinion, the Machu Picchu Pueblo is MUCH nicer. The grounds are covered with orchids and the individual cabins are charming. You also can walk into town unlike the Sanctuary lodge that is a 20 minute bus ride each way. If you are concerned about crowds at Machu Picchu, you can catch the first bus up at 6:30 am or wait until the day train crowds leave after 3 pm.