We are planning our trips for 2003 and get conflicting information what time of the year is the best for visiting Machu Picchu. Our main concern is rain. What is your opinion? <BR><BR>And the best place to stay close to the ruin is.....?<BR>How to make reservation for the train? <BR><BR>What "the must" in Cuzco? We are interested in culture and history. The best (doesn't need to be cheap) place to stay in Cuzco is......?<BR>Thank you for your input.<BR>

We went to Peru last June. Their winter is the best time to be in the Andes. It is cool but clear. We were told that their Summer (reverse of ours) is the rainy season in the Andes. However, their winter is not the time to be in Lima. It is very cloudy and dreary there then. Just the reverse of the Andes. We found June ideal for Machu Picchu.

Thank you Rudy. <BR>If we opt for the end of August and September do you think this place will be too crowded because of summer vacations in the U.S.?<BR><BR>Is Machu Picchu really so crowded that it is loosing a whole charm? <BR><BR>Anyone has recommendations on staying in a pleasant place very close to the ruins? <BR>Thanks

I have no idea what the crowds would be like in August and September. I don't think the September crowds would be any worse than June crowds. About being overcrowded....I didnt get that sense. There are quite a few people around, especially in the middle of the day, but it's nothing like the natural tourist sites in the US. About accomodations. There is one very expensive hotel at the ruins. I can't remember the name, but since it's the only one, you can easily get information about it. We stayed in Aqua Caliente at the base of the mountain. There are several nice hotels there. It's only a 20-30 minute bus ride up the mountain to the ruins

We went to Peru a few years ago, and this tour company called LARC out of Florida did the most amazing job. We took a 1/2 day guiding hike to Macchu Picchu with a guide that I think had his PhD in history at the university in Cuzco. We took the train and got off at the stop before Macchu Picchu, and then hiked the 4+ hours there. It was incredible, but a little scary b/c the cliffs just fall right off of parts of the path, so if you are not in good shape or are afraid of heights, skip it. But if you can take it, it is worth it.<BR><BR>We stayed at a hotel below Macchu Picchu and it was really nice. The accomodations were like tree-houses, and the dinner was fantastic - they have an organic garden so the food was great. LARC arranged the whole thing. They can be reached at: phone numbers are: USA & CANADA: 1-800-732-6725 FAX/LOCAL: 1-863-439-2659 http://www.larc1.com/<BR><BR>Have a great time!

The "tree house" hotel is called Gringo Bills and it is located in the town of Aguas Calientes, which is the town near the base of the mountain. The hotel is extremely affordable, fun and "gringo-friendly". There is a hotel at the top of the mountains next to the ruins, but it is extremely expensive. We visited in March and had no problem with rain or crowds. I would highly recommend a foray into the Amazonian rain forest. Contact Explorama (www.explorama.com) for great packages and prices. Que tenga buen viaje!

Would you please someone let me know the name and any direct contact (no travel agents please) information for the hotel right next to the ruins which Karen mentioned? How expensive could be?

Lily,<BR><BR>I looked up the hotel that we stayed in and it is called the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. There are details at this website http://www.inkaterra.com/ <BR><BR>Our travel agent booked us at the best hotels on this trip, and by far, this was the nicest one at Machu Picchu. The gardens were lovely, and the food was so awesome. It was really nice to wake up early and get to the top of Machu Pichu before the daytrippers arrived. It was so peaceful and that is one of my fondest memories of that trip.<BR><BR>I can't stress how reasonable this trip was that LARC put together - priced less than I could have done it on my own (guess they are privy to special rates). <BR><BR>If you can, you must stay at the Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco - it was like $100/nite which was so unbelievable. The best hotel in Cuzco. <BR><BR>Also, if you can stay by the Urabamba River, this amazing resort called Posada del Inca was like an oasis, and the restaurant was perfecto. It is in the middle of a very rural area, but another incredible experience.<BR><BR>By the way, give yourself a day to adjust to the altitude in Cuzco. They are not kidding when they say go directly to your hotel and take a nap.<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR>Karen

Lily,<BR><BR>I also want to share a restaurant that we dined at in Lima. It is called La Costa Verde. Do this day, I can still remember savoring the Chilean Sea Bass. It was so incredibly fresh. We dine out in NYC all the time, and I have yet to taste fish this fresh. We ended up at La Costa Verde b/c it was Sunday and every place was closed, except this place. It was huge - I think that there were about 6 tables taken b/c it was off-hours (4 pm), but the service was great and the meal memorable. It was probably the most expensive meal that we had in Peru - around $100 (usually we averaged about $30 for 2 people and ate like royalty) but well worth it. Plus, it was our last day, so we splurged (it's not like we had a choice but were more than pleasantly surprised). Peru is such a great value vacation - we loved it!

Lily,<BR><BR>We have just returned from 3 months in South Amercia.<BR><BR>We went to Machu Piccu for my birthday in February. We organised the train and the Machu Piccu Pueblo Hotel through a travel agent in Cusco - Discovery [email protected] - They speak very good english. <BR><BR>We only organised the tour the day before - and so had to have a suite, pretty expensive at $400US per night) but worth every cent. The train costs vary from $35-$70 US depending on the class.<BR><BR>There are lots of people visiting the ruins - but most leave at 3.00pm to catch the bus back to meet the train - if you are staying at the site, or at Agua Calientes, you have the place much more to yourselves. Although it is sucha magnificent place, you don't notice the people (truly!) We were there for the full moon, but as it was rainy season, all we could see were clouds! Getting up at dawn and visiting the ruins is also a very special experience ' try to walk up to the Sun Gate.<BR><BR>The sister hotel to the Pueblo Hotel is the Monasterio in Cusco.<BR><BR>The 'must' in Cusco are the ruins of Sacsayhuaman just nearby - apart from Machu Picchu the most spectacular Inca ruins we saw on our trip.

Ok, I'm peruvian, but due to my job (NGO under presbyterian churches funding) I had to help a lot of American and European groups that wanted to visit Peru.<BR><BR>As some people wrote before... dry season, winter in Cusco, from late June to september, is also rainy season in Lima, but who stays long time in Lima anyway?... <BR><BR>From the experience with the people we helped we got... about Cusco... they loved The Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel, just next to the ruins. And were even able to enjoy the sunrise from their rooms... lovely. Didn't matter for them that other hotels at Aguas Calientes village (down the ruins) were rather good, nice and so on. Seems there's a sort of magic for the people to be close to the ruins, don't know.<BR><BR>In the city they lodged at Monasterio hotel, no way to go to any other one, the best you can get is Monasterio. Others are good... this one... above all dreams or imagination. Phone number: 00 51 84 241777. Web http://monasterio.orient-express.com/ there you can find all the information you need about the Monasterio hotel and the hotel at MachuPicchu.<BR><BR>In Lima... don't go for downtown hotels, then you won't be able to enjoy night walks around, due to the danger, less than in past, but for tourists always present. Better choose for hotels in San Isidro or Miraflores, far safer places in the city. Try Miraflores, so you can get the chance to enjoy short walks nearby, nice in the evening. <BR><BR>Anyway... long post already, if you like more information, just let me know at my e-mail... I just love to help people to find the beauty of my country.<BR><BR>ps.- By the way, if you go to Cusco in July... don't miss going to Paucartambo city, to enjoy a catholic - indian sort of celebration, very folkloric, several costumes... music and dance in the honor of the virgin. Amazing way to find out how indian and spanish cultures mixed together.

Little correction...<BR><BR>The very nice hotel, down in Aguas Calientes is the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Gorgeous anyway, that information you can find at www.inkaterra.com as someone else mentioned you.<BR><BR>The "ONE" all people like so much "Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge", just for being next to the ruins is part of the orient express hotels, as the Monasterio in Cusco city... information about those two hotels are at the address I gave you in my first message... <BR><BR>Hope that correction was helpful... <BR><BR>ps.- I agree with Karen... Costa Verde Restaurant, at the costa verde beach in Lima is just great, and their sunday buffet service has even being recognized by international prizes... that good their food is...

Just got back from Peru. Stayed at the Monestario. Loved it. Highly recommend it. Also stayed at the M.P. Sanctuary Lodge. It was great. Went into the ruins when it first opened. Watched the sunrise then climbed HuanaPichu (sp?). We were the first up there. Incredible!!!<BR>The Monestario kept our suitcase and we just took a backpack for clothes and one for cameras, water, etc. May I suggest you take the pants with zippers that turn into shorts. Cool in morning and night, but warm during the day. The sun is brutal. <BR>You asked what the best time of year was and I would say April. It is the end of the rainy season and the crowds were small.<BR>Enjoy, I am planning on going back.

I forgot to mention that we used a travel agent here in the states but they used a venezuelan agency that has offices in Lima and Cusco. They arranged everything including the tickets for the train. They picked us up and took us back from the airport and train station. There name is Coltur. There email address is [email protected] and there sight which I have not chedked out is www.coltur.com.pe It sure was nice walking off the airplane and seeing somebody holding up your name and not worrying about the taxis.

We were there im late February and it was rainy and cool and delightful. MP is glorious swathed in clouds. If you can stay at the Machu Pueplo Lodge. It is not at the ruins, but in Aguas Caliente. DO NOT stay at the Hatuchay Towers Hotel. I t is not good. I stayed at the NOVOTEL in CUsco and found it very nice, though notluxiourious. The breakfast buffet was excellent. Best, EEEEEEE

We visited Cuzco and MP last June. It was wonderful, people around but we never felt crowded. In Agues Calienta we stayed at the Presidente Hotel. It was $60 and one of the best values we have ever had. It looked like it had been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and our room had a balcony over the rapids. It was wonderful. WE also loved that town. It was a great place to shop for Souvenirs. We also spent one night at the Monastereo in Cuzco and Yes it was beautiful and wonderful. The rest of the trip we wanted to be surrounded by Peruvians, I can go to Chicago and talk to Americans. I think you sometimes loose the flavor of a trip unless you branch out a little bit. We stayed in a small hotel $44 a night. They took such good care of us. One night I needed water and they would not let me go out and buy it on by own. It was about 11 pm. They went to the kitchen and gave me their bottled water. This entire exchange was done with me speaking no spanish and the guard speaking not English. We will definately go back to this warm country. We loved the people and always felt safe.

Any updated information? Would you recommend Machu Pichu and Peru for a family trip in June?

<BR> Certainly<BR> i recomend you Peru it is great country you will find incredible places<BR> check tis site: www.ecstravel.com <BR><BR>

Anna, Yes, I would certainly recommend Peru for a family vacation. We were there in September, 2002. Don't know how long you'll have, but do try to go north to the Amazon area as well as MP. The Amazon is amazing, and I think kids of all ages would enjoy the experience. We stayed at ExplorNapa, close to the canopy walkway. Wonderful! Happy travels.