machu Picchu

[Hobo]

First has anyone been there? and Can you recommend best way to get there? Group? Guided Tour? individual?

Thanks

Hobo

[WolverineDG]

1. never been there

although it's on my list of "must sees." you might want to pick up a lonely planet guidebook. they usually have good recommendations for all those options you mentioned.

dg

[Inland]

2. Yes.

Long time ago, 1986. There's really only one way. First, you get to Cuzco, Peru. There's a train to the base of the mountain and a bus up.

There's (was) a hotel to stay at, if you want to stay overnight, which we did. It was neat to go out in the complete silence of the morning and the fog on the mountains.

If you've seen pictures or film, by the way, they don't do justice to the setting. I've never been on such steep mountains. They are like incisors. You can't get the perspective, or the vertigo, unless you are right there among them.

We let a travel guide do it all for us, but this was pre internet. Hell, it's practically pre-long distance telephone.

[Inland]

3. Let me add:

If you are going to that part of the world, think about an itinerary with days in Cuzco, maybe an Amazon River trip, or Lake Titicaca.

[likesmountains 52]

4. I went last year. If you plan on hiking to Machu Picchu you have to

be with a group. If your are in reasonable shape you can manage the hike...and what makes it worthwhile is seeing lots of other beautiful ruins along the way, hiking the Inca Trail, and being the first people allowed in Machu Picchu when you arrive there in the early AM..you get to spend time in the park before it fills up with the people who took the train and bus up. Feel free to ask any questions.

[spindrifter]

5. There are several options

As many have noted you should go to Cuzco, take the train, then the bus. If you want to do the hike, you should check out various companies in Cuzco--beter yet, check the Lonely Planet website, as there are usually numerous comments about travelers' experiences. As someone else mentioned, you may want to go to L. Titicaca, as well. It is absolutely fantastic. I even liked Puno, but a lot of people think it is a total armpit.
Macchu Picchu is amazing. You should definitely tour the grounds with a group, as the guides are very informative. Otherwise you will miss a lot, like info about the magnetic rock and the amzing mathematical properties of the grounds.