Pre-cruise Machu Picchu excursion

[RachelG]

My husband did climb huayna pichu on our 2nd day. Not something I felt that compelled to do, so I stayed below while he went up with a group of Israeli soldiers. We were both happy.

[Emtbsam]

My husband did climb huayna pichu on our 2nd day. Not something I felt that compelled to do, so I stayed below while he went up with a group of Israeli soldiers. We were both happy.

 

Did he feel the trek was worth the effort?

[jpalbny]

My husband did climb huayna pichu on our 2nd day. Not something I felt that compelled to do, so I stayed below while he went up with a group of Israeli soldiers. We were both happy.

 

Did he feel the trek was worth the effort?

 

Can't answer for George, but 100% yes from us! The view of the ruins from 1000 feet above is incredible! And it helped burn off some of the calories from that great Peruvian cuisine. RachelG, sorry you missed it!

 

 

 

 

Though the climb (especially down) can be a bit hairy at times... There is a spot where you climb down some exposed stairs and one of us had to walk sideways, and not look down. :eek:

 

[WesW]

Wonderful pix JP..we are doing a 4day pre-cruise @MP, then Lima to Buenos Aires next March. Thanks for sharing.

[RachelG]

Yes, he definitely thought it was worth it, and wanted to take me back to do it again. But our son was sick, so I didn't feel I should get that far away from him, especially on a steep climb.

[ppiew]

Loved the pics but definitely not for me! I asked my son or daughter if they wanted to do it because they are much more trekky types than I am but they weren't interested. Frankly I don't think they knew that much about it to make a decision. I suspect they will be disappointed they didn't avail themselves of this opportunity when they see the mountain. Oh well - their loss!

[dougburns]

The climb to the top where the observatory was would be quite arduous for most folk. You can get a very good panoramic view of the entire site with a much less arduous climb. Going up the trail from the lodge area stay to the left and it will bring you to a raised area( @ a 100 foot climb ), which will afford a wonderful view. The old trail across the peaks that connected the different sites for the message runners enters MP there. Don't forget to see the sundial down in the site; it is fascinating for both time of day, celestial and season marking. It's amazing that they could be that accurate in their day.

[Emtbsam]

JP & Chris -

 

Thanks for the pictures - I wish we could have done it, but we were there before you could buy tickets in advance and the timing of our arrival made it impossible to do. Maybe next time...........

[ppiew]

Hopefully get thru the rockslide next week! Hope the rain lets up and doesn't make for any more hazardous driving up the MP!!

[Herman The Cat]

Greetings,

Lots of fantastic info on this older thread. Just thought I'd check in to see if anyone has done the Silversea MP extension recently, what their experience, comments, suggestions are.

Thanks,

HTC

[57 varieties]

My brother and his wife did this before a cruise at the beginning of November 2014. They had four nights in Lima and Cuzco and one night in Quito pre cruise. They felt it was a lot of travelling (9 internal flights) but enjoyable and a part of the World they might not have had the opportunity to see. The SS package did not make the best of use of timings and they recommend carefully checking these to ensure you are happy. They tried but did not manage to obtain a full itinerary until the final documents came by which time it is too late to alter things. So they had long layovers in tiny airports and very early starts.

 

 

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[KaraokeQueen]

OP - Sounds like you are doing the Machu Picchu pre-cruise of the Discovery Expedition ship trip to Galapagos?

 

Your program is very different then the one I just experienced, leaving from SS Shadow at Matarani. We were transported by bus to the city of Arequipa, which is at 7500 feet elevation. It was a super way of getting acclimated to the altitude. Our accommodations were lovely and the coca tea was readily available in the lobby of the hotel. Dinner was served at the hotel and was delicious. It was Christmas Eve and families celebrate the evening with a huge late meal and then fireworks at midnight. The next morning we flew to Cusco and checked in at the Monasterio Hotel. It is a lovely property and we took advantage of the oxygenated room. Do yourself a favor and make sure the air conditioning is working properly. Not all rooms have it and it was blasted hot and we had to switch rooms. The entire day, we toured Cusco and then returned for an evening at the hotel.

 

Our program was also hosted by Lima Tours (different than yours - A&K). Our guides were informative, spoke very good English and addressed all our needs, along with our SS escort, Alessandro, from the shore excursion department (he did a fabulous job). Our dinner that evening was at the hotel. Pre-dinner we had a cocktail gathering inside the chapel with local entertainment. There was a preset menu with two choices but, the hotel was more then willing to accommodate any other requests. We had a nice size group of 16. We were lucky to be staying on one of the evenings when they perform an opera dinner. It was acoustically supreme. The food was excellent at dinner and breakfast, although a buffet, had many choices and you could also order off a menu.

 

The following day, we had an early morning departure from the hotel to the train station. It was literally just outside Cusco, probably a 20 minute ride. The Hiram Bingham train was beautiful. We were offered a full lunch and beverages in route. There was also local entertainment provided in the bar car. It is a lovely landscape.

 

Once at Aguas Calientes, we boarded a small bus and were taken to the entrance to Machu Picchu. The ride is not for the weak of heart. They even advise that if one is afraid of heights, don't look out the window. I am but did anyway and wasn't the least bit bothered. You do traverse the switchbacks, have to share the road with other buses but, these people drive it all day long. We were given our tickets and made our way through the entry where we had to show our passports as well. Within minutes, our group was hiking the site. I used a single walking stick as an aid and was appreciate to have it. You are walking over uneven stones and in our case, we had a few rain showers but, the slickers provided by our SS escort were adequate. Having arrived in the afternoon, the crowds were minimal. The Sacred Valley is amazing and a must do. When our time on the site was complete, we were treated to coffee/tea and a dessert buffet at the entrance hotel. After, we were taken back down to the train station and returned to Cusco via the Hiram Bingham train where they served our dinner. The following morning, we flew to Lima and were back at the ship by 2:00, greeted by a bevy of staff. Inside our cabin, we found lunch waiting, a rose petaled bath and a laundry bag, all ready for our traveling clothes.

 

As far as altitude sickness. I experienced none. I also have asthma and had zero issue breathing but, again, physically I'm in very good shape, aside from being on the younger side. My Husband did feel the altitude but, it did not prevent him from fully participating. Other's had advised me to drink the Coca tea and I did, frequently.

 

I was very impressed with the organization of our tour. The quality was everything I've come to expect from Silversea.

 

I do want to mention that we met some people on board who had just come from Discovery and did a post Galapagos trip to Machu Picchu. By the way they talked, they spoke as if they hiked a portion of the Inca trail and said "anyone who does this has to be in fit shape". So you may want to contact SS directly and find out how strenuous your trip will be. If you "bus" up to the top, you have nothing to be concerned with. If you hike, it will be a steep ascent.

 

You will enjoy this experience.

[KaraokeQueen]

Ppiew - Last time there was a rock slide at Machu Picchu, SS guests were the first airlifted out by private helicopters. The rest of the stranded people were taken out by the military in a process that took days.

 

Jpalbny - Love the photos. Glad I DIDN"T do that :)

[Herman The Cat]

Wow, with your itinerary I would strongly recommend that you take acetazolamide (Diamox) for three days before the flight from Lima to Cuzco and continue until returning to low altitude, IF you are not allergic or sensitive to sulfa drugs. Flying from sea level to 11,000 feet in two hours is a huge change with no time to acclimate, and you go straight to Machu Picchu with no time in your oxygenated hotel room. Machu Picchu is at lower altitude than Cuzco, but it's still high. And I doubt that your hotel at Machu Picchu has oxygenated rooms. Coca tea is a poor substitute and often produces insomnia.

 

I have posted on this topic before. When we did this trip as a SS pre-cruise in 2004 we were able to acclimate a day in the Cuzco hotel before going to Machu Picchu, were premedicated, and had no problem. Several other passengers had real altitude problems (including the ship's doctor!)

 

Please consult your doctor to make sure the medications are safe for you and to make sure you are fit for altitude. That's my disclaimer, since I actually am a doctor.

 

Great suggestions, Wellseasoned. I haven't been sensitive to altitudes before, but was at the doctor yesterday and got the prescription for Diamox (she actually said to take it just in case). She also suggested Cipro, just in case it's needed.

[Herman The Cat]

My brother and his wife did this before a cruise at the beginning of November 2014. They had four nights in Lima and Cuzco and one night in Quito pre cruise. They felt it was a lot of travelling (9 internal flights) but enjoyable and a part of the World they might not have had the opportunity to see. The SS package did not make the best of use of timings and they recommend carefully checking these to ensure you are happy. They tried but did not manage to obtain a full itinerary until the final documents came by which time it is too late to alter things. So they had long layovers in tiny airports and very early starts.

 

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Thanks for the heads up. You have been very helpful. I am glad we are forewarned! Abercrombie and Kent is running this so it will be interesting to experience the way they conduct trips/tours.

[Herman The Cat]

Karoke Queen, thanks so much for the info. Very helpful. Do you recall what time the Hiram Bingham train left the station? I think the ride is about 3 hours? We are flying into Cusco in the morning and then boarding the HB train to MP. I have the feeling it is going to be an insanely early departure....

 

We overnight at MP, then leave late morning via the Vistadome, and overnight in Cusco. The next morning we leave for Quito, overnight there and then fly to the Galapagos the following morning.

[KaraokeQueen]

Just referenced our itinerary. We left the Monasterio Hotel at 8:00 a.m. and arrived at the station at 8:35. The train departed at 9:05 and we were scheduled to arrive at Aguas Caliente station at 12:25. Our arrival

at the ruins was 1:15. We toured there until 4:30 when we had our afternoon tea at the Sanctuary Lodge. We returned to the train at 5:00 and I think it actually departed around 5:45 for Cusco.

[KaraokeQueen]

One more thing regarding the altitude sickness. I've heard a variety of comments regarding Diamox from those who chose to take it. One of them being an intense feeling of claustrophobia. Two others told me they still suffered with intense headaches.

 

When there is the possibility of rough seas, I always take the over the counter medication Meclizine HCI/Antiemetic, found at CVS. I had been taking it when we boarded in Valparaiso and continued to take it through Machu Picchu. Due to the fact that it deals with equilibrium, it may be the reason I did not have any altitude issues. My Husband took nothing and felt lightheaded. The main reason I drank the coca tea , it was comforting to me because I caught a chest cold after my flight from the states.

 

Because you are traveling from Lima right to Cuzco, the circumstances are different as you won't have time to be acclimated to the altitude change.

[Herman The Cat]

Just referenced our itinerary. We left the Monasterio Hotel at 8:00 a.m. and arrived at the station at 8:35. The train departed at 9:05 and we were scheduled to arrive at Aguas Caliente station at 12:25. Our arrival

at the ruins was 1:15. We toured there until 4:30 when we had our afternoon tea at the Sanctuary Lodge. We returned to the train at 5:00 and I think it actually departed around 5:45 for Cusco.

 

Excellent--thank you!

[dougburns]

Things must have changed regarding the HB train schedule. Flying from Lima to Cuzco same day as departure of the HB could well be a problem. Cuzco does not have an instrument approach, so it has to be severely VFR and it often isn't early in the morning. We flew in the day prior to the trip to MP and stayed at the Monesterio for the night after a tour around the Cuzco area. As I remember, the train left Cuzco very early; it was still dark. Cuzco is at @ 11,000 feet, whereas MP is at @ 9,000. Many folks had trouble with the altitude in Cuzco, especially sleeping. Miss Lynn almost passed out walking up hill in Cuzco and she's in extremely good shape, as you know. We had a 4 hour delay for the flight back to Lima due to weather(ceiling) at Cuzco. The group before us had a full day delay.

[duct tape]

Don't forget...Diamox is sulfa-based, if you allergic!

[Herman The Cat]

Things must have changed regarding the HB train schedule. Flying from Lima to Cuzco same day as departure of the HB could well be a problem. Cuzco does not have an instrument approach, so it has to be severely VFR and it often isn't early in the morning. We flew in the day prior to the trip to MP and stayed at the Monesterio for the night after a tour around the Cuzco area. As I remember, the train left Cuzco very early; it was still dark. Cuzco is at @ 11,000 feet, whereas MP is at @ 9,000. Many folks had trouble with the altitude in Cuzco, especially sleeping. Miss Lynn almost passed out walking up hill in Cuzco and she's in extremely good shape, as you know. We had a 4 hour delay for the flight back to Lima due to weather(ceiling) at Cuzco. The group before us had a full day delay.

 

Thanks, Doug. I did check the itinerary again and it does indeed call for "a very early morning departure" from Lima to Cuzco. Based on the visual approach and what seems like common weather conditions, that does sound quite ambitious! We do have an extra day in Cuzco, and I do wonder if that is so they can switch the days if need be. The trip is being run by A&K for Silversea and they are very experienced so I hope they plan accordingly. We can't control the weather so we'll just have to see how it goes! They know we have a ship to catch, and this is a Silversea pre-trip programme....

 

Thank you for letting me know about the altitude--I am surprised about Miss Lynn! Though the Doc I saw the other day said it has nothing to do with what kind of physical shape you are in...some people just feel it more than others. And apparently as you get older it affects you less, so hopefully that will help me! :D

 

We are staying at the Monasterio as well and I understand they offer oxygenated rooms. Will check those out.

 

DT, thanks for the heads up on Diamox being sulfa-based. Hopefully I won't need to take it.

[timetravelers]

Just returned from post cruise trip to Machu Picchu. We upgraded to the Grande Explorer package. It was more expensive but we thought we'd never be back in Machu Picchu again. The hotels and guides were FABULOUS and the staff at each were wonderful. If we did the add-on again we would like another day in Cusco and in Lima, maybe a couple days just to be able to see the cities before flying home.

 

We left the Miraflores Park hotel in Lima at about 7:00 am heading to the airport for 10:00am flight to Cusco. The Monasteria Hotel in Cusco was equally wonderful. We did not need oxygen into our room but you could buy oxygen for $10. Breakfast was great! Don't miss it!

 

We left Cusco for a 1-1/2hr bus ride to Urubamba to catch the Hirum Bingham train. Very special train. The trip up to Agua Calientes was very nice. Good food and wine and Pisco sours☺️ on board. We then took a bus up to the Sanctuary Lodge (all meals included). The next day we took the 10 am bus down the hill, got on the vistadome train and headed down the mountain. Both trains were great!! Back in the Sacred Valley we were transported back to the Cusco airport for a flight to Lima then on to the U.S. Another day in Cusco would have been very nice! Great town and so much to see.

 

Abercrombie and Kent in Peru made reservations, guides, shuttles, and all plans for post trip for SS. They were excellent!!! Well worth the money we spent. Great attention to details!

GREAT EXPERIENCE! BUCKET LIST for sure.

 

 

 

 

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[Emtbsam]

We had an oxygenated room at the Monasterio and have no idea whether it helped or not. In any case, we had no problems with the altitude despite flying directly from sea level to Cusco. Upon return to Lima, I had an impressive nose bleed which may or may not have been related to the altitude change. MP is worth the inconvenience. I hope your weather there is as good as ours was.

[Herman The Cat]

Timetravelers,

 

This is fantastic news and great to hear. I am so glad you had a terrific excursion and thanks for sharing your feedback. We have friends who use A&K extensively (i.e., around the world by private jet, and private tours as well) and they think the world of them. It will be really interesting to sample a short tour with A&K.

 

This is great information--we are doing this pre-cruise, so we have a little more time. Did you feel like you had enough time at MP? Everyone tells me it's smaller than they expect, so perhaps the afternoon and morning is enough.

 

Did A&K arrange anything for you in Cusco? And any suggestions on Cusco or Lima?

 

Thanks again!