Machu Picchu

I would like to hear from anyone who has taken part in a Princess side tour to Machu Picchu, specifically how strenuous it was. My husband and I are interested but we are 70ish and worried about whether it would be too difficult. Was it hectic? Was there lots of climbing? etc.

I did not go on this tour, but I did talk with some that did. It is a very long three days. They left the ship in Pisco and rejoined us in Lima. They bus you to the airport, fly you out to Cusco, which is at 11,000 feet. You stay over night in Cucso. The next day you go to Machu Picchu. Which is about 7,700 feet. A lot of walking they said. A lot up hills. The altitude will be a challenge. If you are not use to it, it will make you tired. We where there in March of this year. They said that it had rained on them, up until they got to Machu, it cleared and was a good day. But the day they returned, I saw they shorty and after that they were nappy time in their cabins.

I would like to hear from anyone who has taken part in a Princess side tour to Machu Picchu, specifically how strenuous it was. My husband and I are interested but we are 70ish and worried about whether it would be too difficult. Was it hectic? Was there lots of climbing? etc.

I’m interested too. I am 71 but I do walk 3-5 miles daily which includes hills. Of course none of this is at high altitudes. I have booked the MP tour from the ship. I realize it may be hectic buses, planes and Trains!!

Cheers, Denise

We did MP last March before boarding the ship. We used EZair to Santiago and then had a custom tour set up by PeruForLess.com which was excellent. I would recommend them to anyone. We flew to Cusco by way of Lima to start our 7 day excursion. The flight from Lima to Cusco was 1.5 hours. Cusco, historic capital of the Inca Empire, is at 11,125 feet. We spent the next day in Cusco recuperating and acclimating with a tour of Cusco. The following day we went to the Sacred Valley touring several Inca ruins and staying in a hotel at the train station. Following day we took the train to Aguas Calientes where we met our personal guide to MP. It was a bit of a bus ride to MP (7970 feet). Our tour was in the afternoon. Tours are either in the morning or afternoon at MP and are limit controlled. The weather was perfect but the sun was very intense as we both were sunburned. Since we had our own guide he tailored our tour to our requests. There can be a lot of climbing at MP as it is built on the side of a mountain. We elected to stay in the lower part that did require extensive climbing. Since this is an old ruins, walking on uneven surfaces, stepping over objects and climbing stairs or hills is required.

We spent the night in Aguas Calientes which is a really interesting small compact town on the river. It rained that night and again the next day. As we were waiting the next morning at the train station, the Princess MP excursion was arriving. They were broken up into separate tours with their own guide. We returned to Cusco for another day stay before flying back to Santiago via Lima and a taxi to Valparaiso. We took a shared ride a few days later to the port in San Antonio. San Antonio is a port town and there is little to do there plus a lack of hotels. Stay either in Santiago or Valparaiso.

Thanks. We are on a 49 day cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles. Our only choice is to take the tour from the ship.

Cheers, Denise

We took the precruise Machu Pichu and loved it. Never got a full night sleep but... If you are 70ish and in good shape you can do it, just take your time. We met several couples who were taking the 3 day excursion from the ship and when they returned did the have a story. Sleep deprivation, long hours on the bus to get ahead and then catch up with the ship. There was almost a mutiny. The physical difficulty of the two are the same. They go to the same place. Three days is simply an unreasonably short time to see what they have planned for you.

While we did not take the princess excursion we were on a cruise around south America with princess and some of our friends took the excursion.

They left the ship at Port Martin near Pisco. They traveled by bus to Lima and caught the flight to Cusco. The next morning is an early wakeup, then train to Agua Caliente and Machu Picchu. They had about two hours on site then returned to Cusco. The next morning was a normal time for going to the air port for the return to Lima and meeting the ship. About 150 in total took the excursion.

So at least the schedule going north was not overly sleeper deprived and the only lengthy bus ride was from Port Martin to Lima.

We chose not to because for the price that Princess charged we are doing a 12 day tour of Peru, including flights from/to Miami.

We did the 3 day from a Princess Cruise Ship when we were 70. (85 now and couldn't do it) It was tough - you rested and caught a nap when you could, But it was well worth it to see such an amazing place!! Don't miss it if you have a chance. Quacker Don

If you do decide to go, do it through Princess. In March 2016, the second flight back had a bird strike and delayed the flight for 24 hours. Those that didn't use Princess, Princess helped them make arrangements to get back to the ship in an unscheduled stop 2 days later, but they had to pay for it out of pocket. Those who used Princess were taken care of on Princess's dime.

Princess also made sure everyone who needed meds got them. I know there are some CC members that have better second hand verses third hand info the I have.

If you are going to do the fast trip to MP, go with Princess since they are taking complete responsibility to get you back to the ship. Anytime we are on an excursion that takes the entire time in port, we go on a Princess sponsored trip.

For any who are concerned with the altitude thing, my wife took Diamox (prescription) starting a day before we flew to Cuzco. She had more stamina at altitude than I did...I didn't take it and was fighting a headache for our time in Cuzco. The bus tours that take you into the hills around Cuzco will exceed 13,000 ft. MP is considerably lower than Cuzco and for most folks, altitude is not an issue.

To the OP, unless you have serious mobility issues I would say to go for it. When you get to the ruins you will have a guide (govt. rules). You will also have the choice of where you go in the ruins...the ruins are open as you can see from various photos, you can choose whether to climb, decend or walk at a level that you feel comfortable.

My only comment about joining a Princess excursion...>major expense<. It is not hard to buy a Machu Pichu package for half of what Princess charges...maybe less. And, on a trip to only Machu Pichu, you can schedule enough time to avoid stress from tight schedules, bus and train times, etc.

Thanks for all the input and the info about Diamox. My sister was on the Princess excursion in 2016 when the bird strike happened. They were taken care of by Princess in fine fashion. I wouldn’t attempt to do anything but a Princess excursion going this far from the ship...especially since DH is not going.

Thanks again,

Denise

When we were in Cusco, the boutique hotel we were staying at told us to drink a lot of their green tea that they had available in the lobby. It seemed to take care of the headaches. We went on the city tour as part of our package and we went to the different overlooks of Cusco at well above 12,000 feet. If you have a chance to go to MP, do it. We found the food in Peru to be outstanding just stay away from the barbequed guinea pig. :eek:

Thanks for all the input and the info about Diamox. My sister was on the Princess excursion in 2016 when the bird strike happened. They were taken care of by Princess in fine fashion. I wouldn’t attempt to do anything but a Princess excursion going this far from the ship...especially since DH is not going.

 

Thanks again,

Denise

Was on the 2016. Some of those on their own (a CC group) were not able to rejoin the ship until the scheduled Costa Rica stop. I talked with one person before the excursion. He said "what can go wrong, we are on the same flights as the Princess excursion".

Then you get the aborted takeoff, the plane going off the runway, and the Cusco airport getting closed for several hours.

Was on the 2016. Some of those on their own (a CC group) were not able to rejoin the ship until the scheduled Costa Rica stop. I talked with one person before the excursion. He said "what can go wrong, we are on the same flights as the Princess excursion".

 

Then you get the aborted takeoff, the plane going off the runway, and the Cusco airport getting closed for several hours.

There is a time for private tours and a time not to take one. MP is certainly one of the NOTs, as far as I’m concerned. Stuff happens!

Cheers, Denise

Consider going from an earlier port. La Senna ? in Chile if going north, yes you will have to fly back to

Santiago or better yet leave from San Martin in Chile transfer to Santiago. . This would give you several extra days to do your trip. Also suggest that you fly back to Lima an historic interesting city to visit., one day ear Airports in Peru can easily fog in including

Lima. Use a reliable tour op and ask alt plans if their is trouble. We have done this twice. Leaving the ship

three days early gives you six days and much better. If you ship is stopping a Salaverry, it is easy to get air there and then a car service to the port.

back from Trujillo, which has a good airport with several flights a day from Lima.

I would like to hear from anyone who has taken part in a Princess side tour to Machu Picchu, specifically how strenuous it was. My husband and I are interested but we are 70ish and worried about whether it would be too difficult. Was it hectic? Was there lots of climbing? etc.

I’ve been there, but independently, flying to Peru. Something to consider and ask is, how long will you be at the actual site and not simply in transit? I would suggest bringing carbon trekking poles that fold. They are very lightweight and you will appreciate having them when descending. I did not have any issues with the altitude, but it effects everyone differently. I would recommend not drinking any alcohol 24 hours prior to the side trip or while on it as your body will not have time to fully acclimate to the altitude for the period of time you will be there. Eat very light and avoid fatty and sugary foods. Avoid caffeine. There are meds you can take, but they also have their own side effects. If you do not have any pulmonary or mobility issues, you should be fine.

When we were in Cusco, the boutique hotel we were staying at told us to drink a lot of their green tea that they had available in the lobby. It seemed to take care of the headaches. We went on the city tour as part of our package and we went to the different overlooks of Cusco at well above 12,000 feet. If you have a chance to go to MP, do it. We found the food in Peru to be outstanding just stay away from the barbequed guinea pig. :eek:

Definitely do not take. Very expensive for fast trip of two days to stay at high elevation As someone said we could have taken a week long tour first class of SA for the money involved

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Questions

Would it be yourself or DH that you are concerned about physically?

Who has desire to go, you or DH?

Are you interested in the Inca Empire? Ruins?

Are you just making the trip because it's available?

Or someone else told you, it was spectacular?

If it was not offered by Princess would you even consider it?

Will it complete a "best ruins of the world" list or places you must visit before you die?

Everyone's reasons are different.....I made my decision to go to MP because of what I had heard from a fellow traveler on a Chinese river cruise..if I liked ruins, which I do....."MP Ruins are a must see..."

Years ago, a short side trip trip was offered with X..after a cruise to the Galapagos...I was tempted..but choose not to do the quick 3 days, because firstly, my DH was indifferent and adding 3 more days cut into work commitments & I did my research and was concerned about altitude sickness in that short period of time.

IMHO, money(within reason) should never play a roll in decision making because you may never have the opportunity again.

However, your health and well being should, OP you are the only one who can answer that question?

8 years I went to Peru for 2 weeks with a GF on an escorted land tour(14 people) I assumed visiting MP would be the highlight.....we actually walked a portion of the Inca Trail..and visited MP 3 times.....I found the way the Incas constructed MP amazing. But from all the ruins I had visited I did not find it that impressive. My highlight of the trip, the indigenous people and a trip to Lake Titicaca. The culture and Inca traditions were what made Peru fascinating to me MP was just a side trip.....glad my DH didn't go he would have found it totally boring like he does when we go to other ruins....

BTW..I did have altitude sickness just a bad headache, but others in our group were more debilitated.

Yes, there is a lot of walking, trains and buses to take.....and many, many people...also limited shade. Stay hydrated. Chew,coca leaves, suck lemon drops and coca candy or drink mate, coca tea to help with Altitude problems.

OP ...if it is something that has been of interest to you for years, GO FOR IT!

If not I would think twice as it is a lot of effort in a short time, to produce a memory. The ports you miss on the cruise could prove to be more interesting.

Whatever you decide have a wonderful time....

Questions

Would it be yourself or DH that you are concerned about physically?

Who has desire to go, you or DH?

Are you interested in the Inca Empire? Ruins?

Are you just making the trip because it's available?

Or someone else told you, it was spectacular?

If it was not offered by Princess would you even consider it?

Will it complete a "best ruins of the world" list or places you must visit before you die?

Everyone's reasons are different.....I made my decision to go to MP because of what I had heard from a fellow traveler on a Chinese river cruise..if I liked ruins, which I do....."MP Ruins are a must see..."

Years ago, a short side trip was offered with X..after a cruise to the Galapagos...I was tempted..but choose not to do the quick 3 days, because firstly, my DH was indifferent and adding 3 more days cut into work commitments & I did my research and was concerned about altitude sickness in that short period of time.

IMHO, money(within reason) should never play a roll in decision making because you may never have the opportunity again.

However, your health and well being should, OP you are the only one who can answer that question.

8 years I went to Peru for 2 weeks with a GF on an escorted land tour(14 people) I assumed visiting MP would be the highlight.....we actually walked a portion of the Inca Trail..and visited MP 3 times.....I found the way the Incas constructed MP amazing. But from all the ruins I had visited I did not find it that impressive. My highlight of the trip, the indigenous people and a trip to Lake Titicaca. The culture and Inca traditions were what made Peru fascinating to me MP was just a side trip.....glad my DH didn't go he would have found it totally boring like he does when we go to other ruins....

BTW..I did have altitude sickness just a bad headache, but others in our group were more debilitated.

Yes, there is a lot of walking, trains and buses to take.....and many, many people...also limited shade. Stay hydrated. Chew,coca leaves, suck lemon drops and coca candy or drink mate, coca tea to help with Altitude problems.

OP ...if it is something that has been of interest to you for years, GO FOR IT!

If not I would think twice as it is a lot of effort in a short time, to produce a memory. The ports you miss on the cruise could prove to be more interesting.

Whatever you decide have a wonderful time....

We took the 5 day Mp tour offered by Princess. We did this before the South American cruise. It was well worth the money. Princess does a first class job with cruise tours

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I would like to hear from anyone who has taken part in a Princess side tour to Machu Picchu, specifically how strenuous it was. My husband and I are interested but we are 70ish and worried about whether it would be too difficult. Was it hectic? Was there lots of climbing? etc.

We did it last year when I was 72 and had no problem. We are active and do walk a great deal. It may have helped that our home at that time was at 4,800 feet. You did not mention your itinerary. If you are thinking of doing Machu Picchu either before or after the cruise and not as a side trip during the cruise, I would strongly recommend booking a private tour. Our cruise was Santiago (Valparaiso) to Buenos Aires. We booked a tour that gave us a couple days buffer in Santiago at the end in case there were any problems. I just looked at the Princess site to try to determine the cost of their tour. The cruise from Santiago to LA on the Royal without Machu Picchu is $1,699 for an inside. With Machu Picchu it is $6,199 so the additional cost of going to Machu Picchu is $4,500 per person ($9,000 per couple). We paid $1,920 per person ($3,920 per couple) and it included airfare from Los Angeles to Lima. Additionally, rather than large groups of 20 or more, our largest group was 6.

We did it last year when I was 72 and had no problem. We are active and do walk a great deal. It may have helped that our home at that time was at 4,800 feet. You did not mention your itinerary. If you are thinking of doing Machu Picchu either before or after the cruise and not as a side trip during the cruise, I would strongly recommend booking a private tour. Our cruise was Santiago (Valparaiso) to Buenos Aires. We booked a tour that gave us a couple days buffer in Santiago at the end in case there were any problems. I just looked at the Princess site to try to determine the cost of their tour. The cruise from Santiago to LA on the Royal without Machu Picchu is $1,699 for an inside. With Machu Picchu it is $6,199 so the additional cost of going to Machu Picchu is $4,500 per person ($9,000 per couple). We paid $1,920 per person ($3,920 per couple) and it included airfare from Los Angeles to Lima. Additionally, rather than large groups of 20 or more, our largest group was 6.

In 2016, Princess was about 2400 as a 3 day tour in the middle of the cruise.

In 2016, Princess was about 2400 as a 3 day tour in the middle of the cruise.

I guess if it is in the middle of a cruise (probably a B2B), Princess is the only way to go. Three days seems awfully short to do the area justice. We did 2 nights in Lima, 2 nights in the Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu and 2 nights in Cusco. Cusco was a surprising delight.