Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu
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Wednesday, July 4, 2012
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Friday, June 15, 2012
CNN Article: Pilgrimage to Machu Picchu: Six tips
By Richard Bangs, Special to CNN
(CNN) -- Machu Picchu. It's on most everybody's bucket list, and for good reasons. It is one of the most transcendentally beautiful spots on earth. But how do you get to the Peruvian Andes, and what do you do to make the trip easy, comfortable and meaningful?
Fri June 15, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Going directly to Machu Picchu may help alleviate altitude sickness
- Hold onto your entrance ticket so you can exit to use facilities and re-enter
- You can go by foot or train; be sure to book early
(CNN) -- Machu Picchu. It's on most everybody's bucket list, and for good reasons. It is one of the most transcendentally beautiful spots on earth. But how do you get to the Peruvian Andes, and what do you do to make the trip easy, comfortable and meaningful?
It's not the attitude, but the altitude
Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, is more than 11,000 feet above sea level, a height that can cause altitude sickness, especially for travelers coming from low elevations. Machu Picchu is at 7,874 feet, so the best plan to mitigate altitude sickness is to arrive at Cuzco in the morning (the first flight from Lima departs at 6 a.m.) and then immediately grab the first train down to Machu Picchu. Enjoy Cuzco on the back end after acclimatization.
How do you get there?
Several airlines have direct service from U.S. gateways to Lima, and from there it is an hour flight to Cuzco, the ancient Inca capital. LAN Airlines has the most direct routing as it serves several major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Miami, with a seamless link to Cuzco.
Once in Cuzco the choices are generally foot or train down to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is a five-day trek over some high passes. It is a spectacular way to enter the citadel of Machu Picchu, but it requires a measure of fitness. It is easy to take several types of trains the 70 miles from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the Lost City. The most deluxe train experience is the one-car Incan Princess.
Once at Aguas Calientes it is a bus ride up a steep, severe chevron of a road to the Sacred City of the Inca. The government now limits the number of visitors to 5,000 a day, so it's best to get your ticket in advance, as some folks have been turned away at the entrance gate after making the long trip. You can make your own arrangements or book through a number of veteran outfitters such as Mountain Travel Sobek. They will arrange all tickets, transfers, transport, accommodations and guides.
When is the best time to see Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is open year-round, but October to April is the rainy season, and therefore it has the fewest visitors. The inconvenience of rain is offset by the lack to tourists, and it is worth considering. Avoid holidays if you can, as Machu Picchu and everything surrounding it is packed. Once at Aguas Calientes (hotel tip: check in at The Inkaterra), to avoid the crowds and witness one of the most spectacular sunrises in the world, take the first bus from Aguas Calientes, which leaves at 5:30 a.m. It's worth it.
Hints for inside the citadel
There are no bathrooms, restaurants or drinking water once you enter the site, but there are facilities just before the entrance. So hold onto your entrance ticket so you can exit and re-enter. Pack sunscreen, a sun hat and water. Weather in the Andes can also change in an instant, so you should also pack a rain jacket. Sturdy shoes are a must. If you are in reasonable shape, sign up to climb Huayna Picchu, the famous peak within the ruins that appears in most photos. They only allow 400 a day to climb, so sign up the day before and go early for best views.
What else can you do in the area?
If you have time, sign up for the day raft trip on the Urubamba through the Sacred Valley of the Incas -- one of the most spectacular float trips in the world. And, of course, plan on spending at least two days in Cuzco, a unique blend of European and Inca sensibilities with superb restaurants, hotels and accessible ruins.
And try to make a stop at the nearby Pisac market, one of the most colorful bazaars in the world. Most people visit Pisac on Sunday, the main market day, but there are smaller markets on Tuesday and Thursday.
Finally, consider extending your trip to other wonders of South America, including the Galapagos, Easter Island and Iguazu, all of which are served by LAN Airlines, with Lima as the hub.
What makes Machu Picchu so special?
There is a harmony of elements here, the man-made and the natural. It is a stunning integration of architecture, setting, function, space and form. The Inca knew something we seek: When order combines with complexity, when elegance appears effortless and when there is a coherent but unspoken relationship among the parts, then there is enduring beauty.
Richard Bangs is the producer for the upcoming public television special, "South America: Quest for Wonder."
https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours
https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Commonly Asked Questions before Booking your Inca Trek
Do you need to book ahead ?
YES! It is imperative
to book your trek in advance. The classic
Inca Trail is extremely regulated by the Peruvian government and now only
allows 500 permits per day (this includes tourists and hiking staff). The
alternative treks are less regulated, by still a lot of preparation goes into
the hike and we book up quickly.
Is it possible to do without an agency?
NO! Since June
2002 trekking independently on the Inca Trail has been prohibited. Regulations
state that each trekker must be accompanied by a professionally qualified
guide. The UGM (Unidad de Gestion Machu Picchu),is the regulatory body
responsible for controlling access to MP and the Inca Trail. Companies must
meet certain basic requirements proving that they have professional guides and
good camping equipment, radio communications and emergency first aid including
oxygen. Their license is renewed each
year in early March.
If the Inca Trail is booked, are their alternative treks to
take?
Yes, the Inca
trail is not the only option to hiking to Machu Picchu – in fact, some of the
alternative treks are more beautiful, less crowded and less expensive. Here are a few:
Salkantay
7 day trek - moderate to difficult.
Ausangate
6 to 7 day trek - moderate to difficult
Lares
Valley 4 day trek - moderate
Choquequirao
4 to 5 day trek - moderate
Vilcabamba
7 day trek - moderate
Are numbers of day visitors to Machu Picchu also limited, like
those doing the Inca Trail hike? Or can I just buy the bus / train and entrance
ticket on the day I want to go?
No limit to Machu
Picchu number of visitors, everyone can visit the ruins .You can stay overnight
in Aquas Calientes and take the first bus up to the ruins, this way you see Machu
Picchu before the 1500 visitors of the train arrive. The trains are normally full so make your
reservations in advance.
How Is the 2 days Inca trail ?
The shorter Inca
Trail is for those trekkers with limited time on their hands or who just want
to take things a little bit easier. This trail starts at km104 and ascends to
the ruins of Wiñay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu. Since you don't
have much time at Machu Picchu on the first day most people spend the night at
the town of Aguas Calientes and return to MP again the following day.
This trail is subject to the Inca Trail regulations and trek permits must be
reserved well in advance
Should I pay for the extra porter?
All treks include
porters to carry all the hiking equipment which includes tents, food, dining
equipment, etc. but you will need to pay extra for a porter to carry your
belongings. Each 8kg you want carried
costs $65 USD. Many people prefer to pay
this instead of carrying their clothes on their back. The lighter you pack the less weight/porters
you will need to hire. Remember that
less is more.
Do I need to tip the porters/chef/guide?
Generally speaking if all the group have been pleased with the
service then it is customary to tip your team.
If you aren’t sure about how much to tip the porters and chef, ask your
guide and he will answer honestly. If you ever have equipment that you bought
for the trek that you think you will never use again, gift them to our
porters. You will not find harder
workers anywhere.
What is the weather on the Trail?
Weather on the Inca Trail
Just how tough is it? How
fit do you have to be?
It is a common misconception that because many
people do the Inca Trail that it must be easy ... it isn't. The trail is 45km
(26 miles) long and involves great physical exertion to complete. On the second
day you climb nearly 1200m (about 4000 ft) in the morning. Combined with high
altitude (lack of oxygen) and extreme weather (you can easily burn in the high
altitude sun during the day and temperatures can drop to below freezing at
night) the trek can be hard work. However all this suffering can make the final
arrival at Machu Picchu all the more enjoyable.
What about Altitude sickness?
In general if you
take regular exercise and spend a few days in Cusco, or better, in the Sacred Valley, acclimatizing to the altitude you shouldn't
have to suffer too much. Just remember
to walk slowly and let your body adjust.
How many people in the groups?
The maximum
allowed group size is 16 people.
What does the trail look like in the peak season?
It could get a
little bit crowded, but with the regulations in place, you have enough space
for everyone.
Are there toilets on the trail ?
Toilets have
improved a lot in the last couple of years and all of the larger campsites have
toilet blocks with flush toilets and running water. On the whole they are kept
pretty clean.
https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours
https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours
Monday, June 4, 2012
Last minute travellers, here's a DEAL for you.
Many of you are beginning to think about your summer vacation. It may seem that a trip to Peru needs more planning, but don't count us out if you haven't booked your trip yet. Any time Alpaca Expeditions has spots open on one of there treks, we will offer you that spot at a 25% discount of the cost. Just mention that you have seen this article and are looking for trips that are already arranged. 
Unfortunately all of our Inca Trails are sold out - but alternative treks to Machu Picchu are just as beautiful and rewarding - the Salkantay trek is amazing and slightly more challenging than the Inca trail or the Lares trek allows you to meet Inca descendants and explore what life is like for them when you visit their village. There are lots of amazing treks and tours in and around Machu Picchu, and we are excited to share them all with you.
Check out each of our treks and decide on which is best for you.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Machu Picchu and Lima among top 10 destinations in South America
By Manuel Vigo
May 2, 2012
Machu Picchu and Lima were ranked among the top ten destinations in South America, in a survey carried out by TripAdvisor.
Machu Picchu was ranked 2nd, and Lima 9th in South America. Over a thousand users responded to the survey, according to El Comercio.
"[Machu Picchu], high in the cloud forest, the ruins of this former center of worship and royal retreat sprawl across the landscape, an awesome display of staircases, carved tombs and sacred temples," the website said.
"No wonder that Machu Picchu is the most visited place in Peru.”
The website describes Lima as “a fascinating city that holds many historical treasures," and recommends visiting its archaeological sites and its elegant cathedrals.
Although Iquitos failed to make the top 10, it was ranked the 22nd top place to visit in South America.
"The river and the rainforest are the main attractions," TripAdvisor said.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, led the top 10 ranking, followed by Machu Picchu (2), Rio de Janeiro (3), Cartagena de Indias (4), Bariloche (5), Santiago (6), Florionapolis (7), Bogota (8), Lima (9), and Sao Paolo (10).
https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours
https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours
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