MARCHU PICCHU

Old Mar 11th, 2017, 01:58 AM
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MARCHU PICCHU

Hi There we are planning to travel to this area in June. We plan to fly into Lima then on to Cusco but have read that we would be better moving straight onto Aguas Calientos and staying there and then spending time in Cusco after visiting Mrchu Picchu but have read that you should spend several days in Cusco area to acclimatize to the altitude so I am confused not sure what we should do anymore? How many days do we have to allow to see Marchu Picchu itself an the Sacred Mountain etc without rushing and taking into consideration the altitude? Also are you able to see the sunrise if you take the early bus up hence a one day trip to Marchu Picchu itself and use extra time to see other attractions in the arrea like Sacred Valley etc? In total what is needed for a decent look around in the Marchu Picch area and Cusco taking altitude etc into consideration? I have also read that it can be quite cold at this time of year at night so what is the temperatures like in the daytime . do we need to pack winter clothing?

Thank you
Kind Regards
Heart08
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Old Mar 11th, 2017, 06:33 AM
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Fix your spell check, it's Machu pIcchu, not Marchu (LOL)

Also what is the Sacred Mountain? Do you mean the Sacred Valley?

Judging from your post you aren't hiking the Inca Trail..correct?

So NO you do not need to spend several days in Cusco before Aguas Calientes M if you are not hiking but are taking the train.

You need ONE day to see Macchu Picchu. Some people take TWO.

To see the major sights in the SACRED VALLEY I would allow ONE day for Ollantaytambo, ONE day for Pisac, and ONE HALF DAY for Moray, Salineras and Chinchero. For Cusco I would allow TWO or THREE days (the third day for a side trip to Sacsayhuaman or Tipon.) These are minimums.

In June I think the sun will rise after MP opens. But it's good to take an early bus up because there are fewer people.

You have to take a TRAIN from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and then a bus from AC to MP. You can't see other Sacred Valley attractions from Aguas Calientes.

You can take a taxi from the Cusco ariport and go to Ollantaytambo, I would book at least 3 nights there and 0 (none) in Aguas Calientes. Some people do like the second day in Macchu Picchu, but it is so crowded in June that I would just go early and stay late for one day.

Take your train from OLLANTAYTAMBO which is in the SACRED VALLEY, an early train there and a late train back. Book your trains as soon as you have your plan tickets fixed. www.Perurail.com or www.incarail.com. Another day you can walk to the Ollantaytambo ruins from your hotel in town (less crowded in the morning). You can take a TAXI from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco, stopping along the way at Moray, Salineras and Chinchero. From Cusco, you can take a taxi to Pisac. I would do this by taxi and not a tour which spends too much time in shopping and at lunch.

In June it is winter and cold at night. Bring a warm jacket.

In total I would try to have 7-8 days minimum for Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and Cusco combined. And fly back to Lima the day BEFORE your trip (I'd even try to have two days there rather than one). Stay in Barranco. I like the 3B Barranco small hotel, Very friendly, helpful for first time visitors.Staff is English speaking. Well lit street and easy to walk to restaurants. If you book though the link on Tripadvisor you should find a $66 a night promo rate.

https://www.3bhostal.com/
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Old Mar 14th, 2017, 05:42 AM
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What mlgb said, except: I would not spend three nites in Ollantaybamo and none in Aguas Calientes. Although Machu Picchu is very crowded in June, I believe you're better off seeing it in late afternoon after the trains go back to Cusco, and first thing in the morning, before they arrive from Cusco.

So I'd book two nites in Ollantay, which would allow you one full day to acclimate to the altitude, one in Aguas Calientes, and then return to Ollantay and, as mlgb says, take a taxi to Cusco stopping along the way. Cusco is higher than both Ollantay and MP, so you should have acclimated some by the time your get there.

You may also enjoy the tours, if you're a tour kind of person. I've enjoyed mine in that area more than most.

I also recommend spending some time in Lima and staying Barranco, which is a very interesting smaller town right on the Pacific.
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Old Mar 14th, 2017, 07:48 PM
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Thank you both for your wonderful advise for the area. This Barranco that you have both mentioned is it far from Lima itself ? Also is far from Lima International Airport? I assume that a taxi is the best means of transport to Barranco

I look forward to hearing further from both or one of you as I have found both posts very interesting
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Old Mar 14th, 2017, 10:51 PM
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I would second mlgb's suggestion of 3B Barranco. We stayed there at her suggestion last year and loved it. Great location, great staff and comfortable rooms. Barranco is a suburb of Lima adjoining the more famous Miraflores. Some photos and more info on our last visit on our blog @ https://accidentalnomads.com/2016/05...barranco-lima/

There are also a couple of restaurant suggestions on there.

It is only a 15 min walk to the Larcomar centre in Miraflores for fantastic views from the cliffs and as far again to Parque Kennedy.

A taxi from the airport is the only option to Barranco or Miraflores. 3B offer a taxi service to guests for around $25-30 which will be waitin for you on arrival. Green taxi at airport are good. You pay at the kiosk exiting arrivals and they will take you to the taxi. www.taxidatum.com can be booked online for a similar price and are also good. Under no circumstances pick up a taxi outside the airport. Taxidatum also offer taxi tours around the Sacred Valley and to Pisac but these can easily be arranged locally probably at a lower cost.

As for Machu Picchu, I too would not bother spending the night in Aguascalientes Calientes and would prefer to get an early train up and a late train back
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Old Mar 15th, 2017, 05:45 AM
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Taxi between the airport and either Miraflores or Barranco. You need to assume it will take an hour one way. Don't freak out about the routes that the drivers take, there are some strange maneuvers through neighborhoods to be able to make the required turns onto the coastal highway which is a little faster. DO put all of your luggage in the trunk,no backpacks etc inside the car. If you have a small purse hide it under your jacket while in the car. There are occasional episodes where thieves have smashed car windows while you are waiting at a light. Unlikely to happen but not impossible.

To travel from Barranco to visit the historic central Plaza in downtown Lima it can take a long time in a taxi and traffic. I prefer using the Metropolitano rapid bus system trying to avoid the commute rush...even then I usually get offered a seat.

If you don't want to do an independent visit to downtown Lima there are guided tours available or you can hire a taxi for the day, through the hotel should work out fine.
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Old Mar 16th, 2017, 11:42 AM
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As someone who spent two nights near Machu Picchu, I'd say do your research and decide how much time you want to explore Machu Picchu. This is not a one size fits all trip. Enough time for me may be too much for you.
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Old Mar 21st, 2017, 09:26 AM
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Thank you all for your extremely useful advise and tips we will now sit down and work through what we think will work for us. Everyone has been so helpful and all the replies have something to offer us Thank you all so much
Cheers
Heart08
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Old Mar 21st, 2017, 03:10 PM
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Re the trains to Machu Picchu...You can stay later at the site and leave after it closes if you catch one of the two services at 18:10 and 18:20 to Ollantaytambo.

If you have the energy to manage a full day I would recommend one of the first two trains up. (either 5:10 or 6:10) To your arrival time assume it's about 30 to 60 minutes to the top (depending on time waiting at the bus stop). They start to sweep the site at 5:30 pm and the sun will be setting, so leaving at 5 pm should get you down to the bottom of town in time to catch one of those trains, (not possible if you take the trains to Cusco, there are fewer trains and the last one is earlier).
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