Anyone ever been? We are planning on doing the 4-day hike next June. Was wondering if anyone had done this and could recommend a reputable guide company or had any other tips/info.

Thanks!

Coworker got back last week. He rode the train instead of hiking and said it was awesome.

I went two years ago and I recommend using Sun Gate Tours based in Cusco. Don't waste any time in Lima; it's pretty dirty and not really worth your time. Try and plan your flights so that you're taking off for Cusco shortly after getting to Lima. And if you're going to go over there, man up and hike (unless you have physical limitations). The 5-day hike over Mt. Salkantay is breathtaking. You'll have plenty of time to unwind on the 4-hour train ride back to Cusco.

thanks! we're definitely hiking, there's no reason for us not to.

Thanks again!

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breathtaking.

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This being the keyword?

I have a 50th b-day in two years and I've narrowed down to Cuba or Macchu Picchu. I'm thinking we would do the Hiram Bingham train if we went.

Hahaha, yes, quite literally. You have to check in with the tour company in Cusco no later than 72 hours before the departure of the hike so they know you are acclimating to the altitude. It's not an extremely strenuous hike, but it's no casual walk either.

WimberlyAg:
Assuming you haven't been, go to Cuba, no question. It's a different world and you'll be amazed the whole time, and it probably won't be the same in 20 years, but machu picchu will be. Cuba's essentially free of violent crime, but purses, cameras, etc. will get snatched at night, just have to be alert and not keep anything hanging around your neck, shoulder, etc. There are several very nice hotels in Old Havana that you can pre-book with an american credit card, since they're based in europe. Traveling outside of Havana & across the country by bus is definitely not first class, but very fun. let me know if you want to know more and I can tell you all about it.

PBJ Time:
In Cusco, most outfitters are selling the same trips, whether they tell you or not. As long as you get details and book w/ someone non-shady, I think it matters more which trail you take than who you sign up with. I would recommend the Salkantay Trail. It takes you higher through the mountains, and does not sell out or get crowded like the Inca Trail. I booked my trip the night before at my hostel. Just FYI, the people in my one group had booked it through all sorts of different outfitters, including several people who booked it online with a credit card in advance from the states, and paid 3-4 times what most of us paid for the exact same trip just booking it the week of in Cusco.

didn't see albatross' post -- two for salkantay! They didn't mention a 72-hr rule to me, but I would definitely recommend being in Cusco that long before starting the hike. You don't want your first couple days of the hike to be ruined by a massive headache.

Just downloaded a cool old PBS NOVA on it...I saw it years ago, but am looking forward to seeing it again...this program could probably give you plenty of good info for your trip about the site.

Phantom, it would be two years away but I would like some more info. tia

Phantom, sounds like we did the same hike.

We booked in advance and ended up paying about $450/person for the 5-day hike. That included: porters to haul all your gear, cook for you (food was excellent), setup and tear down camp every day, entrance fee into Machu Picchu, and the train ticket back. Sun Gate Tours required us to check in 72 hours prior to the hike when they had a brief little orientation for us and we met our guide, Freddy. We ended up getting a private tour, which generally costs extra, just because no one else had signed up for the Salkantay at that particular time. The 4 of us had our own personal guide. I really couldn't have been happier, considering the amount of trust you are placing in these peoples' hands. Also, when the train pulled into Cusco at the end of our journey, a Sun Gate representative was right there with a van to escort us back to our hotel. All included. They really take care of you.

As for the Salkantay route: do it. It's either 4 or 5 days, not crowded at all, and you really get to experience the entire allure of Peru. Day 2 is up and over Mt. Salkantay, after which you descend into the misty Amazon, later to surface at Aguas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu at the end of Day 4. You will not battle thousands of tourists as you would on the "traditional" Inca Trail, and you will be afforded the luxury to experience Peru at your own leisure. Good luck.

Just returned a few weeks ago. Did the 4 day hike of the Inca Trail through SAS Tours and could not recommend them enough.

While you have to reserve way in advance, the Inca Trail isn't as "populated" as some of the sites will lead you to believe. The only time during the entire trip that I didn't have the chance to be "alone" to soak it all in was at Machu Picchu (where those damn tourists wouldn't get out of the way of my panoramic pictures!). It gets crowded there, and some of the secondary ruins I enjoyed much more simply because we went at a time where it seemed like just you and the ruins.

Acclimation varies greatly from person to person - because of the well-oiled-machine that is South American airlines we actually did not arrive into Cusco until the morning of our trek (we literally had to get off the plan with our backpacks ready to go) -- and we were coming off a week in Ecuador (sea level). Altitude didn't bother any of us, but we did take pills and I would advise you to do the same.

Also, some tour groups offer an extra night in Agul Calientes -- and while it was a neat town to visit and relax in, we decided to grab a train back to Cusco and spend some more time there.

And, as just mentioned, airlines in South America are a clusterf&#%. LAN airlines literally checked us in for a flight with a smile on their face, the screen showed "Flight XXX to Cusco as ON TIME", right up until 5 minutes before departure time where it changed to "SEE ATTENDANT" and we eventually discovered (not through LAN, but through other trekkers we met), that LAN had canceled the flight days before and failed to notify anyone.

Went last year with a group of Tasmanians. Our trek was crowded with the camps full and the toilets, well we will let that alone.
My advice on altitude is, and it is hard to do because you are fired up about the trip, but go to bed and rest for a few hours. Diamox helps and I finally did it because of a head cold and a case of the runs from Nasca.
Talked with some New Zealand girls who made the trek to MP but because the return tracts were washed out they had to reverse trek the Inca trail. Very short of food.

albatross,

Was this your guide??

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airlines in South America are a clusterf&#%

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I flew a couple of flights in Argentina on Aerolineas or whatever it is and never had a problme

I'm planning a trip for November. I think I am going to do it through Sun Gate. Although they don't take bookings in November (I guess this means you just have to do it there). I'm looking at doing the 4-day Inca Trail, although it's $597. It looks like prices have gone up in the past couple of years.

Would anyone advise that I do another tour? I think I've decided do skip Lima and spend around 9 days around Cusco (tour included). TIA!

My 50th birthday trip got co-opted and I never made it to Cuba or MP. Some friends of ours are planning a trip through REI. It is 10 days. Apparently the first day is just in Cuzco, 2nd is a 4 hr prelim hike. They stay at different lidges everynight. Maybe this isn't the Inca Trail but a different route? Anyone heard of it?

When I went, they made us spend one day in Cusco for altitude reasons. Our first day on the hike was short, maybe just the afternoon. Hard to say but I would assume its the inca trail

Since Cuzco is much higher than Macchau Pichu I don't see the need. Being in Cuzco will mess you up.