Howdy All!
We're trying to throw together a quick trip to South America or the South Pacific if SA doesn't pan out.
Approx. Dates: Dec 28-Jan15
We'd like to get in some hiking and maybe kayaking or mtn. biking. We also want to get in about a week of quality beach time. So here are things that are stopping me from booking the flight right now:
1. Is the rain really that much of an issue in the Cusco area? We want to do the four or seven day trek to Machu Picchu. I understand that we will probably get wet, but from your experience, does it really diminish the trek to MP that much?
2. Will New Year's Eve make last minute booking or arrivals a problem or will it just make it that much more fun?
3. If we only have about 5-6 days for Torres del Paine, should we save it for another time (not knowing if there will be another time, naturally)?
4. Should we just say screw it and spend the whole trip on an island in the SP? Partially kidding...I've been to the Cook Islands, but no where in the Caribbean...this is subjective, but what do you think is better? Venezuela or Fiji? Doesn't that just sound fun to say? How lucky are we!
Gracias,
Jada
When I was in Cuzco, I never saw any 7-day MP treks - they were all 2-3-4 days. I would definitely plan on spending 2 days in Cuzco to acclimate before starting out.
We did the Inca Trail in 4 days during mid January. Later in January it might be closed, and I think in February it is closed. The rain was off and on and made for an interesting trip. Some days it barely rained at all, and others it really poured and turned parts of the trail into mini waterfalls. If you are prepared with the right rain gear, it should be no problem. Take care with the digital cameras though. We used a great guide and crew from United Mice. It cost us a few bucks more, but the porters are treated well, the guide was superb, and they got us around a strike road blockade they knew was coming. They also had the best campsites.
matt1thu
is it nec to have a guide for the macchu picchu trek from cuzco....and what were your biggest challenges (if any) to the trek and acclimating to the climate??
thanks- amanda
Amanda,
Yes, they require you to hire a registered guide, and there is a checkpoint near the start of the trek right before the trail crosses a big suspension bridge. There are very many guide services with offices on or near the main square in Cuzco (Lonely Planet Guidebook also has a list). Most of the companies combine groups with other agencies. Large group size was a concern for me, so we did not go with one of these agencies. I have had friends who hired one guide only and they then carried all their own gear and did all their own cooking, etc. However, you will probably enjoy the trek more if you have at least a small group of porters. In addition, you are providing jobs to local people, and getting a chance to know more about them and their culture. Plus, they cooked some really good food. It is especially nice in the cold rain to have a tarp set up and waiting for you with hot drinks. I carried my own pack (part of my own macho head games), but the others in my group paid a little more to have porters carry their packs. We spent two days at Cuzco (11,500 ft) to acclimatize, so the altitude at the highest point on the trail (13,700 ft) was not a real problem. Since I carried my pack, I took my time and did not rush. Two guys on the trek had arrived only the day before it began, and they took Diamox to alleviate any headaches from the altitude. The trail seems long, but it is easy enough for young and old. The hardest thing about the trip was saying "no thanks" or "no, I already ate" to all the people on the square at Cuzco trying to sell you something or to get you to go to their restaurant.
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>The hardest thing about the trip was saying "no thanks" or "no, I already ate" to all the people on the square at Cuzco trying to sell you something or to get you to go to their restaurant. <hr></blockquote>The shoeshine boys are more persistent than the restaurants ;-) I never had such clean shoes!
trusted partner
