annabelle2

re: staying all day - we went in the morning and stayed until closing; I would definitely recommend that! We met our guide in the morning (excellent guide) and spent a couple of hours with him. The rest of the day was spent wandering, exploring, doing hikes to the Sun Gate and the Inca drawbridge, lying on the grass, watching the llamas, watching the clouds over the mountains - I loved just spending most of the day savoring Machu Picchu. One of our friends did go back the next morning for more photos, but my one long day was so perfect I was happy with it.

We had brought some things for lunch ( as I recall we left our food in lockers or something outside the gate) but ended up buying some food from the outdoor snackbar. Not bad!

crosscheck

Thanks, annabelle2. What time was your return train? Did you stay in Olly that night or go all the way to Cusco?

annabelle2

We went from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes on an evening train; we spent that night in Aguas Calientes, went to MP the next morning, spent one more night in AG, and then took a train later in the day back to Ollantaytambo - I was with a small group of friends on this trip, and we took our minivan w driver back from Olly to Cuzco, getting there rather late at night. It was a long day. I would rather stay in the Sacred Valley someplace than do the long haul to Cuzco, unless you are really short on time.

I did like having two nights in AC, however, as we didn't feel rushed and it gave us the opportunity to go back to MP if anyone felt like it (only one did, and he had a beautiful morning there). AC is not the most exciting of towns, but there was a festival that second night that was really fun, and the next morning a couple of us went to the botanical gardens, a couple went to the hot springs, and a couple went to the museum. None of these are 'musts' but we all felt very relaxed!

crosscheck

We will be staying in Ollantaytambo and are thinking of two half days instead of one long day at MP. (I did this years ago when I did the Salcantay Trail and the trains were less reliable). Do you think this works:

- late morning train to AC - visit MP in the pm, hot springs at hotel

- stay in AC, early morning visit to MP

- early afternoon train to Olly, taxi to Cusco in time for dinner

Would love to hear your thoughts - thanks!

dwdvagamundo

Looks good to me.

P67742

we stayed a total of 4 nights at a BnB in Cusco. We first spent 2 nights, then spent 1 night in AC (left all bags at BnB), then another 2 nights.This worked well for us. First day in Cusco we really just walked around and took it easy. We did all take Diamox that day as you can feel it. Next day we did the "right side" of Cusco tour (Pisac, Sacsay..., etc..). Next day, we did Maray, Moras, Salinas, Chincheros, Olly, then boarded 2:30 pm train to MP. Got to AC. Cute town, went to hot springs although not as good if you have been to Costa Rica or real volcanic springs, had dinner and sleptby 10. We were 8 people-4 adults, 4 teens so we decided to have our guide mee tus at hotel at 6:45 am next morning so we did not take the earliest option. I am glad we did not as it was pouring. BY the time we go to MP site, it was about 7:15 and was just drizzling. Saw the site for 2.5 hrs with guide. After he left, we climbed 3/4 way up MP mountain. Came back and did Sun Gate hike. We had time to rest as well (45 min or so) to enjoy the site in beautiful, clear sunny weather. We originally had our tickets to go back to Olly at 6 ot 7 pm but due to some train station closures, our BNB changed it to 3 pm. At first I was thinking we would not have enought time, but we did. In fact we saw beautiful rainbows on way back from olly to cusco so it was worth it. Hope that helps.

Re: MP crowds-early morning it was empty. Got some great pics with the llamas on site too. BY the time we left around 1:30 or so, it was crowded. But the place is so big. You will definitely get great pictures overlooking the site with no one in the background.

P67742

crosscheck-yes your plan looks good but you will be paying for 2 entrance fees

crosscheck

Thanks, P6. I climbed both mountains at MP back in the day, but can't remember the level of difficulty. Mr. C. has issues with height - would MP mountain be okay for him? I'm booking our intl. flights tonight and will start another thread with itinerary Qs.