Greetings from Cusco,
Tomorrow I’m off to Machu Picchu despite the fact I’m confident it’s going to pour on me all day. It’s rainy season here and it’s been raining everyday; the forecast which I rarely check but have on this occasion says 90% rain; perfect. There are two main ways to get to Machu Picchu; we’ll call them the piker and the gentlemen.
The Piker:
This trip is two days and one night and will cost you $120-$130US or so. Basically you take a bus for 7 hours then hike for 3 hours to get to where the train drops you off. You spend the night, eat some food, eat breakfast and hike 2 hours to get to Machu Picchu.
The Gentleman:
This trip is one day and will cost you ~200-$230 or so. You take a bus to the train station, then take a train to where you’d sleep the first night with the piker plan and from there you take a bus to Machu Picchu or walk; the bus is $10 each way. This is a day trip unless you wish to stay longer and saves lots of time.
I’m going the gentlemen route and taking a bus all the way to Machu Picchu because the weather is horrific and getting soaking wet on some steep up hill climb at high altitude sounds like torture. Speaking of torture, I need to be ready tomorrow at 3:30-4AM which is a bit of a buzz kill to be honest.
If you want to see Wayna Picchu which is a high peak next to the main event it’s an extra $10 and you need to book at least a few days in advance as it’s a maximum of 400 people per day. These ruins are big business around here and Cusco aka the base town where I am now looks like some cosmopolitan city of sorts.
Cusco is great with an awe inspiring backdrop and everything you’d want from slummy guesthouses to high end hotels. You can buy dinner for next to nothing or enjoy some fine dining; the choice is all yours. Also, if you ever book a tour I assure you that the girl across the hall from Buenos Aires will invite you to her friend’s birthday party after a few minutes of flirty chit-chat.
In closing, it’s a small world. I stumbled across this Sunday market of sorts with children gambling when I saw a lady selling soup. I fancied the chicken soup she was stirring so I ordered one. As I was about to lift the spoon to my mouth to taste the heavenly smelling broth a lady from California asked me how it was.
I tasted it, told her it was divine and worth every penny for the 4 soles it cost. We started talking and she works for a PR firm in California. I told her about my blog then mentioned I just started writing for arguably the world’s largest independent financial blog and she asked which one…
I proudly told her iBankCoin and she immediately knew about it as she sometimes has financial clients. As a result they keep tabs of all the top blogs in any niche to possibly advertise on; random yes? Great news is they also have travel clients; why not do some networking over cheap soup in the mountains of Peru?
If you’re reading this during trading hours, I’m in Machu Picchu probably being drenched with cold rain and quasi enjoying every minute of it. End of the day, the world doesn’t need more pictures of Machu Picchu but I want to check it out because I’ve come this far.
If you really want to check it out, come in high season… The photo is of Plaza de Armas aka the main plaza in Cusco; it was sunny the day I got here so glad I ran around like mad man taking photos despite having a nightmarish bus ride from Bolivia. That could be the bus that broke this camels back; I’m flying to Lima and done with buses.
Have you ever been to Machu Picchu? How was it?
Tips hat
P.S: The lady from Argentina took the piker route and said it poured on her the whole time as well as she can barely feel her knees.
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Huayna Picchu is well worthwhile…..awesome view if you aren’t all fogged in. Explore around the back, there are some old trails along cliff faces that are amazing. I imagine you’ve been to the temple of the moon, etc., behind Cusco?
the sexy sisters are even more impressive nearby susco but most tourist do not get to see………most impressive stonework in south America me thinks
Thanks for the note.
I have not seen temple of the moon bt heard about it. I’m resting up for a golf trip in Australia. Rather worn down from this grind I’ve been on and have a 27 hour+ trip from Lima to Brisbane.
Met some characters yesterday at Machu Picchu who spoke highly of it; will try and fit it in.
I did walk to Gate of the Sun yesterday and it was very worthwhile.
There is some really good surfing along the Peruvian coastline, hopefully you get the chance to head out there as well.
Also, a cool town near Aguascalientes on the way back called (Pizac?) that is very laid back and has a few other less visited ruins.
Those Incans! They left the place in ruins!
I’ve heard similar, world class even. Usually I take my time but I’m flying to Brisbane on the 17th so catching up on work and sleep in Cusco until I fly to Lima and off to Australia.
Thanks and it will have to be next time.
Serious question
How do you avoid getting robbed and killed in these places?
Also, have you ever had some unfortunate “learning experience” happen to you while traveling these 3rd world upstarts?
Good question.
I will address this in an upcoming post; too much to say for a comment and it’s of benefit to all readers.
Thanks for the idea.
Through all of S. America, never had a worry about robbing, violence, etc. (with small exception of being in Ecuador during last coup attempt). Of course, you be reasonable and don’t do dumb things either. For the most part, the people are poor but respectful and helpful. Maybe walking around with a cane and top hat would be problematic.