Karen

There are 4 of us just returned from visiting Machu Picchu, Peru about 2 weeks ago. The tour contact at both Lima and Cusco were very helpful. The high altitude did not affect me but my sister-in-law experienced severe headache when we were in Cusco. We have to offer her O2 (they come in a can the size of a hair spray)and are readily available at the restaurant (refer by the tour guide and the foods were good) where we were having dinner.

We also toured other sites such as the Moray, Qurikanca, Saqsayhuaman, etc which is not included in the tour.

The driver picked us up at 4:45 AM on the day we went to Machu Picchu and some others along the way. The ride took more than 2 hrs and its a bumpy one. We were dropped off at the train station and the train ride is about 1 hour. We then took another bus and finally arrived at the entrance of Machi Picchu around 10:35 AM. The weather is sunny and clear and it is picture perfect to visit the ruin. The guard speaks both Spanish and English we understands most of what he tries to explain. We finished the guarded tour around 2:30 PM. We returned to Machu Picchu the next day on our own and it was rainy and foggy. We did go up to the mountain again and it is very different than the day before. Anyway, we got to see Machu Picchu on both a sunny and foggy day.

Shopping is fun at Cusco and Lima. Nice silver jewelries and clothings made of Alpaca yarn. You need to bargain with the street vendors.

The hotel at both Cusco and close Machu Picchu is small and comfortable. The only problem is the noise level probably due to inadequate insulation as well as its close to the street and you can hear the car goes by, etc.

The hotel in Lima is about 2 stars. There are no hair dryer and you have to ask the front desk for it. Again, its noisy. We noticed there is a heater/A/C unit above the door. Don’t know whether it works or not.

We are very please with our Cusco guard “Marco” because he takes proud in his work and offer good tips about the restuarants as arranging other tours for us.

The trip requires quite a lot of walking and I am glad I made the trip while I am physically fit to enjoy it.