Wow! nice write-up!!! (When I go, I think I’ll opt for the train ride, myself.. leave the hiking for the people who actually *want* to do that.. hehe) And what a cool vid choice – thanks for finding it – love Michael Palin!!! (And I realized that I always misspelled it Maachu – hehe)

This is one of the toppers on my little list of must-visits. I really wanna go!!! Thanks, Kirsty, for posting this!!!

Just to clarify, Cusco is not the capital of Peru. It is the former capital of the Inca Empire. And it’s definitely worth a visit! Thanks for the writeup!

Thanks for the write up Kirsty, its been a few years since i visited Macchu Picchu so nice to reminisce over. The trek was challenging but made the experience of arriving at macchu picchu at sundown all the more special, so i recommend the whole experience!

Thanks so much Kirsty for this wonderful note about Machu Picchu and the interesting video from BBC!! I really appreciate this because as a travel agent and being in the tourism world: Macchu Pichu (which is the real spelling) has an invaluable meaning for us, Peruvians. It is a great legacy of our ancestors, The Incas. A heritage that perpetuates for centuaries of centuaries of years. Its name means the “Old Peak or Mountain” or “El Viejo Pico o Montana” in Spanish. This is a mystical place with a strong feeling of spirituality. I can say that this citadel saves a relationship with the man and the supernatural, magic and the divine. You are going to feel trapped by its mysteries and and its spells. I always recommend my travellers that when they approach to SouthAmerica to step on this stunning Inca Ruins. It is so worthy seeing it. It really is!! For any information about this trip or program “The Marvels of the South,” please contact me at [email protected]. I can guarantee and extraordinary and unforgettable experience. I can connect you with other programs in Puno, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Huanuco, The Amazon Rainforest and other amazing sightseeing spots around Peru. Please visit my website http://www.andeanorigins.com or email me. Warm Regards from Peru, The Land of The Incas!!!

Thanks so much Kirsty for your wonderful note about Macchu Pichu and the interesting video from BBC!! As a travel consultant and being in the tourism world: I can say that Macchu Pichu has an invaluable meaning for us, Peruvians. Its legacy perpetuates for centuaries of centuaries of years. It means the “Old Peak or Mountain” or “El viejo pico o montana” in Spanish. Machu Picchu is a mystical place with a strong feeling of spirituality. It is a monument which saves the relationship with man, the supernatural, the magic and the divine. I always recommend my travellers that when they approach to SouthAmerica step on these stunning Inca Fortresses. It is really worthy seeing!! I can guarantee you will feel trapped and will have an unforgettable experience. Please contact me at my email [email protected] for this program “The Marvels of the South” or for other sighseeings spots around Peru. Thanks so much and Warm Regards from Peru, The Land of the Incas!!

Great write up Kirsty. A friend of mine has just come back from Cusco and loved it. Her brother runs a restaurant there that caters to international tourists/backpackers.
She brought me back a gorgeous turquoise ring, so how lucky am I??

Nick, yes of course you are correct and I have amended. It was suppose to be re the Inca Empire, as Lima is the capital of Peru! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

Hi
Below is a link to the group I trekked the Inca Trail with in August 2005: Exploreandes.
From memory, Day 1 involved getting on a train and travelling a few hours to the starting point of the trek. It was a bit of a shake down day where you get to know your fellow trekkers and generally get your things sorted out They take you for a hike up a hill, a lot steeper than anything you’ll hike, (don’t be put off) I think this is just to sort out who’s who in the pack.
Day 2 we trekked not too strenuously…although there were endless steps up and up through beautiful forests and hills. They start early, 7ish, and stop every two hours for an hour, lunch two hours, so it is pretty gentle going. Along the way there were lots of ruins and our guides told us lots of stories about legends and beliefs of the Incas. Day 3 was up over the pass (over 4000 metres) and is the most strenouous part of the whole hike. I found it tough as the previous night was freezing and I didn’t get much sleep because I was both jet lagged and suffering a bit from the altitude ( I only had a day in Cuzco to acclimatise – my fault entirely). It is generally suggested that you stay about four days in Cuzco to get acclimatised.
Day 4 was down a lot of steps which a lot of people find physically tougher on the legs and feet. But you do get that fabulous post card view over the Machu Picchu.
Day 5 was dedicated to touring Machu Pichhu… There is a lot to see and learn about the Inca Civilisation. I was particularly fascinated with the architecture and how they managed to build such sophisticated buildings in such remote places.
http://www.explorandes.com/

It was a fascinating trip and I wished I’d spent more time in the area to explore more of the Inca history. Also, if you’re keen these treks tend to get booked up pretty quickly. The reason being, only about 350 trekkers are allowed on the track at one time. They are very conservation conscious and everything is carried in and carried out. And I mean EVERYTHING!. For this reason there is an 8kg limit on what your porter is allowed to carry for you.

Hey, thanks everyone for taking the time to leave some wonderful comments and accounts of trips & treks to Machu Picchu. This is clearly a popular destination. David, (@Lurquer) our turn will come!!

I cant wait till i get there.
Im planning a 4-6 week holiday to South America at the end of the year and of course, this trek is sitting at number 1 must do. Its great i can get the info sitting at home, before i leave.
I cant wait to breathe the fresh air on that mountain while soaking up the amazing view. I would love to do the Trek, but will wait and see, this train idea does make you think twice!
Cant wait to get there, and definitely will be offering current on site reports, pics, and more from South America in ’09 for all.
Keep up the reporting.

Nice report Kirsty.

Machu Picchu is a must visit for South America, and I spent half a day sitting on a rock just marveling at it. Locals recommended we drink San Pedro whilst viewing it, which helped enhance the experience.

Also nearby Cusco is a great city, one of the best in Peru.

But, this place is a huge tourist trap. Everything is overpriced. For example the train ride there is around 100 dollars return, for a two hour train ride. Cusco even has a street dubbed gringo alley full of overpriced food and souvenirs. But it is possible to escape this (if you want to).

And it is also very touristic. Be prepared to visit it with hundreds of your best tourist buddies with huge cameras, loud voices and zip off pants.

A way that I got to Machu Picchu much cheaper, and arguably more fun was over night on a combination of local buses and mini vans and a 3 hour hike. It was an experience I will never forget. 12 seater mini vans packed, and with guys on the roof at night time flying around a road on a sheer cliff face. And the challenging hike along the tracks, but with stunning views and a sense of accomplishment. Here is the link of the way to do this:
http://thanksforthefish.net/machu-picchu-alternative-route/

Also the hike up to Machu Picchu in the dark is somewhat challenging, but not too bad for a reasonably fit person.

For those who want to visit ruins with only a few other people, Cuidad Perdida (the lost city) in northern Colombia is the way to go.

But all in all, that postcard view of Machu Picchu really is unmissable.

[…] « MACHU PICCHU, Peru: “The Lost City of the Incas” LUBECK, Germany: Medieval Town and the Baltic Sea » 06 07 2009 […]

Wow!! Thanks God today Monday was a busy day and I really enjoyed it. I was reading all the comments about Macchu Pichu and I congratulate you guys because you take it as one of the most interesting destinies for travelling. RYAN G. if you want to visit Peru and other SouthAmerican countries at the end of the year, let me organise your tour and program with the most interesting sightseeing spots. My email is [email protected]. Drop me a message.

Thanks Kirsty for giving us a space to write our remarks about interesting and far-away countries!!!

Keep in touch y muchas Gracias!!

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I took a trip to Peru 2 years ago, you should def have a Spanish translator (my iphone had an application for that) 😉 something like that is totally necessary. Water purifier tablets if you plan on trekking at all..you know the inca trail, lares or something through the jungle..umm everything else was taken care of by the peru vacation and tours provider http://www.perumagicatravel.com ; the info, tour advice, useful phrases even info on how much I should spend in and around machu picchu lol..Well totally agreed that machu picchu is a great place to visit and aone of the “must see” destinations in the world (being a world wonder and all) the scenery up top is beautiful and if you climb mount machu picchu you get an eagles eye view of the inca city.