Travelling to Peru, Machu Picchu, and a cruise in the carribean - any tips for Peru?
sirsloop
Registered Users Posts: 866 Major grins
I'm getting married 9-1-07 and have decided that I want to go to Peru for part of my honeymoon. Has anyone been there/done that? I'd like to hike the Inca trail and visit at least one full day at Machu Picchu. Any tips would be great!
I plan on taking two bodies (xt, xti), my 10-22, 35/2, and 70-200/2.8L+1.4TC. Think I should invest in a ND Grad filter for that 10-22?
After 7 days there, we're flying into miami for a short 4 day cruise around the carribean... just cause I feel like it
I plan on taking two bodies (xt, xti), my 10-22, 35/2, and 70-200/2.8L+1.4TC. Think I should invest in a ND Grad filter for that 10-22?
After 7 days there, we're flying into miami for a short 4 day cruise around the carribean... just cause I feel like it
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Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
My wife and I hiked the Inca trail in 1998 and I highly recommend it. It's pretty strenuous, so it's not a typical honeymoon spot. You'll be glad that you have time afterwards to relax in the Carribean.
We made the trek with backpacks, but most everyone else used tour operators. I understand that backpacking isn't allowed any more and you have to use a tour operator.
The best part of our trip was watching the sunrise at the Sun Gate and seeing the first rays of light hit Maccu Picchu. Next best was getting a lucky break in the clouds while we were at dead woman's pass (13,800 ft / 4215 m).
The Inca Trail, Maccu Picchu and Cuzco are great places for photography. Bring LOTS of flash memory and/or a portable hard drive. Neutral grad that you mentioned would also be a good idea.
I highly recommend joining the South American Exporers Club and making use of their information on hotels, tour operators and general safety & security. I found them to be the best source of information, by far.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions that I can answer.
Mike
I didnt realize machu picchu was at 14k feet elevation! HAHA! Thats like climbing one of the tallest moutains in the US!
Maccu Picchu is only at 7970 ft / 2430 m, but yes, the Inca Trail and especially Dead Woman's Pass is quite high. It is wise to acclimate in Cuzco at 11500 ft / 3500 m for at least two days before starting the trek on the Inca Trail.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
You need a guide to do the Inca trail and also you need to get a ticket. I believe there is a waiting list to get the tickets. They only allow 500 persons to be on the trail everyday. if you have never been above 3000m before, it is definately recommended that you acclimatized before going on the trail. We went to Colca valley(3800m) two day before starting the trail and I had the worst headache ever(hangover the whole 2 days). You also need to be reasonably fit. If you do some form of execise 3 times a week, you should be fine. I would strongly suggest you join a group with porters so that you don't need to carry all your stuff with you. I was carrying about 5kg of stuff and I was huffing and puffing. To give an idea how tough it can be, we took over 4 days to do the trail and I was really bushed after that. The porters can do it in a little less than 4hours(they have a yearly competition) and they lug around 25kgs on their back.