Anyone been to Machu Picchu ?

[candy]

My son is due to land in Lima in about five minutes and then will go on to Machu Picchu. He was quite excited about the trip.

Any info would be helpful to me.

[kixot]

1. Make sure he's FIT and can run long distances at a time.

The climb is arduous and many people come down with altitude sickness after the first day or so for up to 3-4 days.

[candy]

2. His flight just landed in Lima

I can sleep well tonight-he has another flight in 6 hours and then will arrive at his destination.

He is fit,speaks enough Spanish to get by, and a very experienced traveler so he should be fine.

[Red_Viking]

3. I went about six years ago

It was spectacular.

Is he hiking the Inca Trail or taking the train? We took the train and it was very scenic, but the ride is long. Well worth it, though.

There is the possibility of altitude sickness, but he can drink some mate which they say helps. I just went on as if I wasn't dying for air. :)

Hope he enjoys it! I certainly did, and hope to go back someday.

RV

[candy]

4. Don't know if he's hiking or not

He did his homework,as he usually does before a trip,and this is a place he's wanted to see for years.

How high is it? I was up in the Rockies last fall and had no trouble but I wasn't exercising.

[mitchtv]

5. Many years ago , in the 70's

it is worth it to pay the few pesos to take a ride up to the site from the train stop.I found Cuzco more exhausting than MP, I think it is higher. there is a grat site in Cuzco also the fort Sacsayhuaman. also aneasyhike to the adjacent(to MP) peak huanu picchu.
It is about qok feet Cuzco more. Tho I forget. I do know el alti airport at La Paz is 12500' above so its in that range

[candy]

6. He will fly to Cuzco 6 hours from now.

He loves Central and South America.

Thanks for your helpful info.

[mitchtv]

8. the sun is deadly at those altitudes

I hope he has sunscreen- if you can get him the money have him buy you an Indian blanket in CUZCo . they are incredible. mate de coca is the cure for altitude sickness.

[candy]

9. Plenty of sunscreen

We all have Irish skin so sunscreen and his glasses were the most important things he took.

[wickerwoman]

7. I was in the Peruvian Andes, but didn't make it to Machu Picchu.

You get winded really fast at that elevation but he shouldn't be in too much danger from altitude sickness. He should expect headaches the first few days and drink a lot of water- you dehydrate quickly because it's more effort to breathe.

He's there at a great time of year though- I went in mid May and the weather was perfect. I hope he has a great trip!

[candy]

10. Thank God for E-Mail

When my kids started serious traveling,in the mid eighties,we would just wait for the weekly phone call and hope for the best.

He is ending up in Lima for a wedding so he will enjoy the city also.

I'll probably never make it to the Andes but am learning a lot from nice folks like you.