Travelling in Peru, Inca Trail and Manu Cloud forest

Hi,

I'm planning to go to Peru in July, with a shoestring budget (sigh). I
wanted to visit the Manu cloud forest as well as Macchu Picchu. I was
thinking of doing my bookings in peru thinking that prices would be
lower there than in North America. However, for Macchu Picchu I read
that there have been relatively recent restrictions placed on the
number of hikers, particularly for the two day trip which I had
intended on doing. Am I following a foolish course action ? has anyone
had experences where they tried to get on a hike of the Inca trail and
found it was booked solid ?

The other question I had was about the cloud forest in Manu. I hear
there is a lodge which is pretty nice to stay at. My question is do I
need to associated with a tour to stay there ? I was thinking of
somehow finding transportation to the lodge and do some hiking around
the area - to cut down on cost. Any thoughts or comments ?

Thanks in Advance

Cheers

Hi Adam,

If you book the Machu Pichu 4 day trek yourself from Cuzco, it will
cost from 160 US dollars per person all inclusive. 5 people on my trek
actually only paid 100 dollars each but that was a late block booking.
It is worth noting that you have to book/pay at least 4 days in
advance, presumably to process your permits. You should also spend at
least a week acclimatising before attempting this. I don't know much
about the 2 day trek, but I would urge you to seriously consider the 4
day instead. The sense of achievement and the sheer beauty and
exhillaration of this is hard to beat, and makes the arrival at Machu
Pichu infinitely more rewarding. You would never regret this.
There were no problems with numbers on the route when I went 2 months
ago, but this was not at peak season so I can't really help you there.


Gareth.





adam_shirazm (Adam Shiraz) wrote in message news:<2355177a.0406041338.11bb2d2a@ com>...
> Hi,
>
> I'm planning to go to Peru in July, with a shoestring budget (sigh). I
> wanted to visit the Manu cloud forest as well as Macchu Picchu. I was
> thinking of doing my bookings in peru thinking that prices would be
> lower there than in North America. However, for Macchu Picchu I read
> that there have been relatively recent restrictions placed on the
> number of hikers, particularly for the two day trip which I had
> intended on doing. Am I following a foolish course action ? has anyone
> had experences where they tried to get on a hike of the Inca trail and
> found it was booked solid ?
>
> The other question I had was about the cloud forest in Manu. I hear
> there is a lodge which is pretty nice to stay at. My question is do I
> need to associated with a tour to stay there ? I was thinking of
> somehow finding transportation to the lodge and do some hiking around
> the area - to cut down on cost. Any thoughts or comments ?
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
> Cheers

>
> adam_shirazm (Adam Shiraz) wrote in message
news:<2355177a.0406041338.11bb2d2a@ com>...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm planning to go to Peru in July, with a shoestring budget (sigh). I
> > wanted to visit the Manu cloud forest as well as Macchu Picchu. I was
> > thinking of doing my bookings in peru thinking that prices would be
> > lower there than in North America. However, for Macchu Picchu I read
> > that there have been relatively recent restrictions placed on the
> > number of hikers, particularly for the two day trip which I had
> > intended on doing. Am I following a foolish course action ? has anyone
> > had experences where they tried to get on a hike of the Inca trail and
> > found it was booked solid ?
> >
> > The other question I had was about the cloud forest in Manu. I hear
> > there is a lodge which is pretty nice to stay at. My question is do I
> > need to associated with a tour to stay there ? I was thinking of
> > somehow finding transportation to the lodge and do some hiking around
> > the area - to cut down on cost. Any thoughts or comments ?
> >
> > Thanks in Advance
> >
> > Cheers

___
If you can stretch that shoestring just a little further try to stay a nite
at the small but very comfortable Macchu Picchu Hotel which is located on
the site. Reservations are a must. After a good nites sleep climb Huana
Picchu for a gorgeous view and an insight into the scope of the Inca
development on the mountain top.

Adam Shiraz <adam_shirazm> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm planning to go to Peru in July, with a shoestring budget (sigh). I
> wanted to visit the Manu cloud forest as well as Macchu Picchu. I was
> thinking of doing my bookings in peru thinking that prices would be
> lower there than in North America. However, for Macchu Picchu I read
> that there have been relatively recent restrictions placed on the
> number of hikers, particularly for the two day trip which I had
> intended on doing. Am I following a foolish course action ? has anyone
> had experences where they tried to get on a hike of the Inca trail and
> found it was booked solid ?
>
> The other question I had was about the cloud forest in Manu. I hear
> there is a lodge which is pretty nice to stay at. My question is do I
> need to associated with a tour to stay there ? I was thinking of
> somehow finding transportation to the lodge and do some hiking around
> the area - to cut down on cost. Any thoughts or comments ?
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
> Cheers

Hi,

as others have suggested time permitting you should consider the 4 day
trek as the scenery is breathtaking. Climbing Huayna Picchu is also
nice. 2 days acclimatisation was enough for me, but that may differ for
you. Last year I payed USD 120 for four days with student discount (25
$ for Machu Picchu entrance) and without train return ticket (30 $ ?).
Without the train ticket you will have to stay at least one night in
Aguas Calientes enjoying the hot water. The morning train is (only) about
10 $.

To your second question, there are several (2 ?) lodges in the Manu cloud
forest both situated on the only road. As far as I know the only way of
getting there independently would be hitching a ride with one of the trucks
which run usually at night and every second day in either direction. Having
just passed through the cloud forest, I'm not sure if it is a good place for
hiking. Unless you bring your machete or enjoy walking on the (low traffic)
road there don't seem to be many paths.

Without a specific interest in the cloud forest, one day (each
way) of driving is not worth the effort in my opinion if you don't go to
the rain forest as well.

If you decide to go to the rainforest as well, I highly recommend going
to the restricted zone as there's much more wildlife to be seen. After
several days of looking for a cheap Manu tour in Cuzco, I decided on the
best offer: 500$ for 8 days, bus there and back by Vilca Expeditions.
Though it is not especially cheap, I did not regret spending the money.
You could easily spend twice as much with other companies.

Enjoy your trip
Jens

Jens <jens@tnntw10.tn.tudelft.nl> wrote in message news:<ca1drr$le$1@news.tudelft.nl>...
> Adam Shiraz <adam_shirazm> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm planning to go to Peru in July, with a shoestring budget (sigh). I
> > wanted to visit the Manu cloud forest as well as Macchu Picchu. I was
> > thinking of doing my bookings in peru thinking that prices would be
> > lower there than in North America. However, for Macchu Picchu I read
> > that there have been relatively recent restrictions placed on the
> > number of hikers, particularly for the two day trip which I had
> > intended on doing. Am I following a foolish course action ? has anyone
> > had experences where they tried to get on a hike of the Inca trail and
> > found it was booked solid ?
> >
> > The other question I had was about the cloud forest in Manu. I hear
> > there is a lodge which is pretty nice to stay at. My question is do I
> > need to associated with a tour to stay there ? I was thinking of
> > somehow finding transportation to the lodge and do some hiking around
> > the area - to cut down on cost. Any thoughts or comments ?
> >
> > Thanks in Advance
> >
> > Cheers
>
> Hi,
>
> as others have suggested time permitting you should consider the 4 day
> trek as the scenery is breathtaking. Climbing Huayna Picchu is also
> nice. 2 days acclimatisation was enough for me, but that may differ for
> you. Last year I payed USD 120 for four days with student discount (25
> $ for Machu Picchu entrance) and without train return ticket (30 $ ?).
> Without the train ticket you will have to stay at least one night in
> Aguas Calientes enjoying the hot water. The morning train is (only) about
> 10 $.
>
> To your second question, there are several (2 ?) lodges in the Manu cloud
> forest both situated on the only road. As far as I know the only way of
> getting there independently would be hitching a ride with one of the trucks
> which run usually at night and every second day in either direction. Having
> just passed through the cloud forest, I'm not sure if it is a good place for
> hiking. Unless you bring your machete or enjoy walking on the (low traffic)
> road there don't seem to be many paths.
>
> Without a specific interest in the cloud forest, one day (each
> way) of driving is not worth the effort in my opinion if you don't go to
> the rain forest as well.
>
> If you decide to go to the rainforest as well, I highly recommend going
> to the restricted zone as there's much more wildlife to be seen. After
> several days of looking for a cheap Manu tour in Cuzco, I decided on the
> best offer: 500$ for 8 days, bus there and back by Vilca Expeditions.
> Though it is not especially cheap, I did not regret spending the money.
> You could easily spend twice as much with other companies.
>
> Enjoy your trip
> Jens


Thanks for all the info everyone !
just out of curiosity - has anyone had any positive experiences from
the Manu cloud forest ? It doesn't sound that great from your
impressions Jens :)

Also a follow up question, (I'm sure this must have been asked before
but I couldn't find any recent previous posts on this)
how does one get from Lima to Cusco (if not by plane). I assume there
is
a bus ? how long does it take and is there a direct bus
from Lima to Cusco ? How much was it ?

Cheers
Adam