Advice on getting to Macchu Picchu

[Boca68]

Hello RooFlyer,
We have a day and a half in Santiago (walk around the city on our arrival day, vineyard tour the next?) before flying Latan from Santiago 5.20am to Lima arriving 7.15am, leaving Lima at 9.15am and arriving at Cusco at 10.47am. We have that day and the next in Cusco to acclimatise then the following day travel by car and train via Pisac and Ollantaytambo to Urubamba to overnight. The next day we catch the train and get off at Km104 to walk the last day of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate (12km and 6 hours walking). We catch the bus to Aguas Calientes (abt 20 minutes) for overnight and get up early the next day to catch the bus to Machu Picchu to watch the sun rise and have a guided tour. We have put our hand up to climb Hyanu Picchu but understand that so much of this is dependent upon how we handle the altitude. We then catch the train from AC to Ollantaytambo and board a different train to Cusco to spend the night and reconnect with our main luggage. The next morning we catch the bus to Puno across the Altiplano. We are booked for the La Hacienda Plaza d'Armas for two nights with a full day to Lake Titicaca and reed islands in between. We leave Puno and head for the airport at Juliaca with maybe a detour to Sillustani (pre-Incan archaeological site with 12m stone burial towers). We then fly back to Lima from Juliaca at 13.28, arriving 14.55. The following day leave Lima on Latan at 8.35am, arriving Havana, Cuba, at 15.25. PHEW! We have six days in Cuba (hopefully the imminent elections aren't going to generate any problems) then to Costa Rica on Copa via Panama for a week and to Quito (EC), again on Copa, for 2 nights before catching the plane and boat for the Galapagos. We fly back to Quito for three nights (with two day trips to Otavalo markets and Mindo for birds - any thoughts on these?) then on the Tuesday fly Quito to Santiago. There is no real time to do anything at this end - arrived on the Tuesday, then fly out on the Wednesday night at 0:10am (Thursday morning). Any thoughts? Cheers.

Looks good, only thoughts are concerning altitude. Cusco is actually higher than MP. Can be tough if you can't acclimatise. I usually recommend to friends that go, once you arrive in Cusco, head straight to Urubamba or anywhere in the Sacred Valley. Cusco is about 3400m, Urubamba is about 2900m and MP is about 2400m (Hyanu is about 2600).

If you have never been at high altitudes, I'd recommend heading down to the Sacred Valley to acclimatise and try Cusco at the end. And Puno is higher again, about 3800m. Just some things to consider. Another plus is the drive from Cusco to Urubamba is quite pretty and many Inca sites along the way. Make a day of it.

I'm relatively lucky, doesn't bother me so much, but Oxygen is readily available at most hotels in Cusco, Puno, Urubamba and Aguas Caliente if needed.

 

[Casso]

Looks good, only thoughts are concerning altitude. Cusco is actually higher than MP. Can be tough if you can't acclimatise. I usually recommend to friends that go, once you arrive in Cusco, head straight to Urubamba or anywhere in the Sacred Valley. Cusco is about 3400m, Urubamba is about 2900m and MP is about 2400m (Hyanu is about 2600).

If you have never been at high altitudes, I'd recommend heading down to the Sacred Valley to acclimatise and try Cusco at the end. And Puno is higher again, about 3800m. Just some things to consider. Another plus is the drive from Cusco to Urubamba is quite pretty and many Inca sites along the way. Make a day of it.

I'm relatively lucky, doesn't bother me so much, but Oxygen is readily available at most hotels in Cusco, Puno, Urubamba and Aguas Caliente if needed.

That's most interesting Boca68, our itinerary is not locked in yet so will see if we can maybe change it around as 1000m or so could make all the difference to settling in. Many thanks, cheers.

 

[Boca68]

That's most interesting Boca68, our itinerary is not locked in yet so will see if we can maybe change it around as 1000m or so could make all the difference to settling in. Many thanks, cheers.

It is something to seriously consider if you have never been at high altitudes before. It can make or break a journey.

Also, I do recommend drinking the coca tea. its ok, different flavours available to and it does help alleviate some of the symptoms, but by no means a cure. Only true cure for altitude problems is to go down.

 

[drron]

I am of the same opinion as Boca68.Go straight from Cusco to the Sacred Valley and acclimatise there.Mrsdrron does get altitude sickness and was starting to feel unwell with our short transit there.We planned a day for her to do nothing in the Valley.She felt tired and had a headache but settled down.
Cusco-3400m. Urubamba,pisac-2900m.MP-2400m.

 

[snooze]

Hello RooFlyer,
We have a day and a half in Santiago (walk around the city on our arrival day, vineyard tour the next?) before flying Latan from Santiago 5.20am to Lima arriving 7.15am, leaving Lima at 9.15am and arriving at Cusco at 10.47am. We have that day and the next in Cusco to acclimatise then the following day travel by car and train via Pisac and Ollantaytambo to Urubamba to overnight. The next day we catch the train and get off at Km104 to walk the last day of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate (12km and 6 hours walking). We catch the bus to Aguas Calientes (abt 20 minutes) for overnight and get up early the next day to catch the bus to Machu Picchu to watch the sun rise and have a guided tour. We have put our hand up to climb Hyanu Picchu but understand that so much of this is dependent upon how we handle the altitude. We then catch the train from AC to Ollantaytambo and board a different train to Cusco to spend the night and reconnect with our main luggage. The next morning we catch the bus to Puno across the Altiplano. We are booked for the La Hacienda Plaza d'Armas for two nights with a full day to Lake Titicaca and reed islands in between. We leave Puno and head for the airport at Juliaca with maybe a detour to Sillustani (pre-Incan archaeological site with 12m stone burial towers). We then fly back to Lima from Juliaca at 13.28, arriving 14.55. The following day leave Lima on Latan at 8.35am, arriving Havana, Cuba, at 15.25. PHEW! We have six days in Cuba (hopefully the imminent elections aren't going to generate any problems) then to Costa Rica on Copa via Panama for a week and to Quito (EC), again on Copa, for 2 nights before catching the plane and boat for the Galapagos. We fly back to Quito for three nights (with two day trips to Otavalo markets and Mindo for birds - any thoughts on these?) then on the Tuesday fly Quito to Santiago. There is no real time to do anything at this end - arrived on the Tuesday, then fly out on the Wednesday night at 0:10am (Thursday morning). Any thoughts? Cheers.

Enjoy the flight from Lima to Havana. I did this flight and it was packed with Argentinians. I was the only English speaking passenger. Flight was also diverted to the Cayman Islands before ending up in Havana. A very memorable trip. Very envious of your trip! Enjoy!

 

[Casso]

I am of the same opinion as Boca68.Go straight from Cusco to the Sacred Valley and acclimatise there.Mrsdrron does get altitude sickness and was starting to feel unwell with our short transit there.We planned a day for her to do nothing in the Valley.She felt tired and had a headache but settled down.
Cusco-3400m. Urubamba,pisac-2900m.MP-2400m.

Thanks drron. Apparently the cocoa tea is a big help?

 

[Casso]

Enjoy the flight from Lima to Havana. I did this flight and it was packed with Argentinians. I was the only English speaking passenger. Flight was also diverted to the Cayman Islands before ending up in Havana. A very memorable trip. Very envious of your trip! Enjoy!

Thanks, Snooze!

 

[Casso]

T

It is something to seriously consider if you have never been at high altitudes before. It can make or break a journey.

Also, I do recommend drinking the coca tea. its ok, different flavours available to and it does help alleviate some of the symptoms, but by no means a cure. Only true cure for altitude problems is to go down.

The only altitude experience was at Chamonix Aiguille du Midi in the French alps back in the day. We got out of the cable car and all was well. We went outside and climbed the stairs to the level from which the skiers set out and met with an unexpected case of dizziness and overwhelming sense of weakness. We were amazed at how quickly the symptoms abated once we went back down to the lower level!

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron didn't like the coca tea.Our hotel suggested muna tea which is made from a local mint.Not bad and it did relieve her headaches.

 

[Casso]

Mrsdrron didn't like the coca tea.Our hotel suggested muna tea which is made from a local mint.Not bad and it did relieve her headaches.

Thank you for the tip. Have made a note.

 

[Pushka]

The only altitude experience was at Chamonix Aiguille du Midi in the French alps back in the day. We got out of the cable car and all was well. We went outside and climbed the stairs to the level from which the skiers set out and met with an unexpected case of dizziness and overwhelming sense of weakness. We were amazed at how quickly the symptoms abated once we went back down to the lower level!

Yes. We had exactly the same experience in that chair lift. I was walking up the stairs there and realised I couldn’t walk in a straight line. I thought it was just me but then looked at MrP and he was doing the same. Yet he’s been up into the Himalayas but on a trek which was much slower paced. Then we got into the cafe and my legs were leaden. I couldn’t go anywhere for about an hour and we came down again. We did go out into the open there to take photos that are spectacular. This was in summer.

 

[RooFlyer]

Casso, Diamox is prescription medication you can take to assist with the altitude. Its not a sure-thing, and may not work in every case, but in my book, everything to avoid altitude sickness should be considered. If you haven't locked in your itinerary, definitely head out of Cusco down to the sacred valley immediately after you touch down, and go slowly when you get out of the aircraft.

Hyanu Picchu needs separate booking, and payment. You need to be pretty fit to do it (or at least enjoy it), and if its wet, it can be dangerous (slippery). But as you are doing the last bit of the Inca Trail, sounds like you could handle it

If you get the right train, there is a great 'fashion show' on board. If I haven't linked there before, check out Chile, Bolivia and Cuba in the 'Destinations Trip report' page for numerous tips on those places.

Hopefully, 'Chili', which this thread has been christened, will get corrected

 

[Casso]

Enjoy the flight from Lima to Havana. I did this flight and it was packed with Argentinians. I was the only English speaking passenger. Flight was also diverted to the Cayman Islands before ending up in Havana. A very memorable trip. Very envious of your trip! Enjoy!

Yes. We had exactly the same experience in that chair lift. I was walking up the stairs there and realised I couldn’t walk in a straight line. I thought it was just me but then looked at MrP and he was doing the same. Yet he’s been up into the Himalayas but on a trek which was much slower paced. Then we got into the cafe and my legs were leaden. I couldn’t go anywhere for about an hour and we came down again. We did go out into the open there to take photos that are spectacular. This was in summer.

Hi Pushka,
I am really enjoying the people posts on AFF! e were there in summer too, but many moons ago, but the weather was very overcast and windy!

 

[Milboo]

Agree with what others have said - head straight to the Sacred Valley.

My tip with Diamox - don’t take the first dose before bed! And also start on half tablet. Otherwise you will be up every hour peeing! Don’t be surprised with tingly fingers or toes on it either.

For visiting MP - sunscreen and insect repellent are necessary. Also don’t forget to stamp your passport on the way out!

 

[k_sheep]

Mmm officially you are not meant to mark your own passport. So I didn't do that.

Good warning on Diamox; first time I got tingly fingers and heels which was super weird! Luckily someone else had said they had a similar side effect so I didn't freak out

 

[RooFlyer]

Mmm officially you are not meant to mark your own passport. So I didn't do that

True, but given that an official Australian eye hardly ever looks at your Aussie passport these days, I reckon it's pretty safe

 

[k_sheep]

Very good point!

 

[Casso]

Casso, Diamox is prescription medication you can take to assist with the altitude. Its not a sure-thing, and may not work in every case, but in my book, everything to avoid altitude sickness should be considered. If you haven't locked in your itinerary, definitely head out of Cusco down to the sacred valley immediately after you touch down, and go slowly when you get out of the aircraft.

Hyanu Picchu needs separate booking, and payment. You need to be pretty fit to do it (or at least enjoy it), and if its wet, it can be dangerous (slippery). But as you are doing the last bit of the Inca Trail, sounds like you could handle it

If you get the right train, there is a great 'fashion show' on board. If I haven't linked there before, check out Chile, Bolivia and Cuba in the 'Destinations Trip report' page for numerous tips on those places.

Hopefully, 'Chili', which this thread has been christened, will get corrected

Thanks again, Rooflyer. Any advice on the bus trip Cusco to Puno?

 

[Casso]

Here is a new quandary - how much time do we need to transfer from international flight from Santiago (Chile) to Lima to domestic flight to Cusco? We are travelling Latan all the way but I have seen some tripadvisor reports that say you need a good two hours and have to recheck your luggage as it doesn't happen automatically?

 

[Boca68]

Here is a new quandary - how much time do we need to transfer from international flight from Santiago (Chile) to Lima to domestic flight to Cusco? We are travelling Latan all the way but I have seen some tripadvisor reports that say you need a good two hours and have to recheck your luggage as it doesn't happen automatically?

Yes, you will have to collect your luggage and exit customs and immigration. LIM is not a big airport, international and domestic are very close, similar to MEL.

Usually international arrivals is quite quick, unless you are arriving late evening (9pm onwards till past midnight). Luggage usually is very quick in my experience. I have arrived in LIM more than 30 occasions. I would say 2 hours is the minimum. Comfortable with 2.5 to 3 hours. Most of that due to checking in again on domestic. Its mostly manual check in. And the queues can be overwhelming at times.

If you have One World status, you can cut a good 45 minutes off that time.