Do you find HAL Machu Picchu tours $$$

[Lyndihop]

We were looking doing the 30 day Inca Empire cruise out of San Diego. I've always wanted to see MP. But after calling HAL, I almost had heart failure. The price is $3,200/PP. The cruise is only $2,899 p/p for an outside cabin.

Anyone that has done this on their own....please chime in.

[geologygeek]

Yep, that's pretty steep. I think it's because they charter a plane out of one port? I really don't think that you could do it by yourself given time constraints and besides all that flying straight to high altitudes and no recovery time would be a great way to give you soroche (altitude sickness). I'd also say that that 2 night tour would only given you a few hours at the site at it's busiest time. Might be worth considering a land-based trip - there's so much to see around Cusco - lots of ruins, local markets, lake Titicaca is only 6 hours away by road. You could look into doing it yourself (check out www.lan.com, but internal flights in Peru are expensive for foreigners), and one word of warning make sure you book early flights to/from Cusco (the airport is often shrouded in clouds later in the day). There might even be a tour operator in Lima that could organise the whole thing.

[JayS]

I was on the Carnival Splendor Repo cruise SCL to SFO. That was about what CCL was charging. My TA showed me a land tour for a week for not much more than CCL was charging.:rolleyes:

[bobpatj]

We booked this cruise because of the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu. After finding out the price, :eek: and wondering about altitude sickness, we will definitely visit sites around the port!

[Lyndihop]

Yeah, I checked another TA site, and found I can get 15 days including air and a 3 night Galapagos tour for around $3,800 p/p/ Think we'll do that...

[wander]

The tour is pricey! but if you want to see Machu Picchu it will usually be pricey when you add in airfare to the cost of a quality tour. Plus you will have two long flights. Having said that, we have been to MP through a two nighter off a ship and as a week as a part of a month long visit to Peru.

Of course the week was better, but also expensive. There were other things we wanted to do in the Amazon near Iquitos, Peru so the flights were worth it for us.

I guess I would suggest the following. Think about how much you want to visit MP and if your interest is strong enough, think "Will I really make a special trip there from home?". The answer to these questions should tell you if you take the ship tour or not.

We have had two opportunities for a two night trip to the Taj Mahal off a ship and decided to wait and do a special trip for various sites in India. Well, to make a long story short we are not unable to handle the trip we had in mind and will not be seeing the Taj Mahal. Regret we did not spring for it off the ship. Maybe on another WC we can do it.

Lyndihop - what a great price, considering what airfare alone costs. I would suggest you be sure to check with folks who have traveled with the group/agency to be sure the tour meets your level of needs.

[obriendan]

A separate land tour is a much better choice. With included air from DFW you can do a 19 day tour of Manchu Picchu and the Galapagos for about $4400 with Overseas Adventure Travel. We did this tour several years ago and it was outstanding.

Dan

[Krazy Kruizers]

About 15 years ago we were booked on a Princess -- teh MP tour was $4500 per person then!!

[Chelly]

I would not recommend a visit to Machu Picchu on a cruise excursion because of price, time constraints, and most of all, altitude adjustment. MP is the trip of a lifetime. Best to do it right! I second the vote for a land tour with Overseas Adventure Travel. I used this agency last August for travel to Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It was excellent!
Just my opinion.

[Juanita462]

We were on a work project in Lima about 13 years ago and the local people arranged a tour to Cusco and Machu Picchu - cost - $300.
This included the flights, 2 nights accommodation, a bus trip up into the Andes to 14000 feet and the train to Machu Picchu. Only meals were not included.
Never realized until now what a bargain we got!!

Will have to check to see what the local prices are now.

When we were on the Prinsendam recently - 5 day side trips ran about $6000 each - so they are pricey.

[Juanita462]

Just checked current prices from Lima to Machu Picchu

Peru Gateway Travel quotes 695 for 3 days 2 nights in a lst class hotel
or 568 for tourist.
Air fare runs from $337 to 492 return

The altitude is something to consider when flying in - though apart from headaches for a couple of people, our group was ok. You can get something in a Lima drugstore to combat altitude sickness.

[Cruise Junky]

About 15 years ago we were booked on a Princess -- teh MP tour was $4500 per person then!!

MP this year on Princess in $2499 pp double occupancy.

How much is HAL?