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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 17 Feb 2008
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Current info on the Inca Trail?

Hello. Starting to plan out a five week trip through Peru two-up and need some current info. The big question is Machu Pichu. Because we're two-up and loaded, don't want to take the adventurous rout along the train tracks, but we would like to hike the trail. I did this back in 2000, it was three days hike with porters and DIRT CHEAP! I suspect this has all changed now? Could someone comment on current costs and what reservation is needed for the hike, how long and what's included. We will be arriving sometime in July. Thanx in advance
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  #2  
Old 17 Feb 2008
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You gotta be Kidding Me!

...i just googled it... three nights al inclusive is around $300 per person! Ouch! Any sugestions for a good agency in Cuzco... mas barato por favore!
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  #3  
Old 17 Feb 2008
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Nescafe

Mr. Ron, one of the things included along the Inca trail is Nescafe.

We rode the Central Andes Ayuchucho to Albanque, incredible mountain path/road through little villages and scenery one has to see to believe.

But well before we hit aligned pavement again on the way to Cuzco, we ran out of coffee. Nescafe was available in every restaurant but no "Coffee," as we know what coffee is.

Sort of disgruntled one morning I asked a startled waiter "Who the hell invented Nescafe?" To my surprise he shot back.

"The Incas invented Nescafe!" Just so you know. xfiltrate
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  #4  
Old 17 Feb 2008
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Maybe I can help

Mr Ron,

Last I did fhe trail also was in 2000, but I have alot of contacts, I,ll see what I can do. If you are up for the whole trail, then great. If not, I suggest catching the train to km 104 (or there must be a way to get the bikes that far, tho I don't know where you would store it), then catch the last day of the trail where it goes thru the mountain jungle. This part is MUCH more beautiful in the rainy season (Jan to Apr)!

Where in Peru are you headed? I lived in Peru 25 years and riden alot of it in that time. My 17 year old son Luke and I just took a 10,000 km trip on motos Peru-Brazil-Bolivia-Peru Around the Block 2007 | Where are you wanting to go? I have lots of friends there and know the cheap places to stay.

Toby (charapa)
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Old 17 Feb 2008
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Xfiltrate, i'm very well aware of the coffee situation in Peru. Funny thing is Ecuador is no better, go figure. Hi Toby. We'll be flying to lima on the 16th of May, then work our way north by Bus to Quito to pick up my bike. Then, re-explore Ecuador and enter Peru once again. We will have until the end of June before we need to return to Mexico and want to see as much as we can. I think we'll save Machu Pichu for last. Then, i need to store my bike somewhere, preferably Lima. If you can help me with this little problem you will be treated like a king if you were ever to come to Mexico! Also, we're on a tight budget here and i'm thinking we may have to skip the trail and find another cheaper way to the ruins like you suggested. I really don't want to book a $600 tour three months in advance, only to find out the plans change and i loose the money, we all know how these things happen! So, can i enter Cuzco and make it to the ruins the next day, and if so, what is the cost?
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Old 17 Feb 2008
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Storing bike in Lima

Mr. Ron, check my Buy/Tour/Sell in Argentina thread, last two posts I have called for info regarding length of temporary motor vehicle import permits for all South American countries and if or if not bike/motor vehicle is stamped in passport of foreign motor tourist upon entering. Might be helpful.

Nescafe: elisa introduced Greek style Nescafe to Peru.
1. 1 or 2 teaspoons of Nescafe
2. equal amount of powder milk, and sugar to taste
3. enough hot hot water to make a paste.
4. mash paste as a pharmacist mashes medicines
5. mash a lot more (circular motion best)
6. Add hot water to taste and consume. She likes it. ugg!

xfiltrate
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Last edited by xfiltrate; 17 Feb 2008 at 16:53. Reason: forgot the sugar
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Old 17 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xfiltrate View Post
Mr. Ron, check my Buy/Tour/Sell in Argentina thread, last two posts I have called for info regarding length of temporary motor vehicle import permits for all South American countries and if or if not bike/motor vehicle is stamped in passport of foreign motor tourist upon entering. Might be helpful.

Nescafe: elisa introduced Greek style Nescafe to Peru.
1. 1 or 2 teaspoons of Nescafe
2. equal amount of powder milk, and sugar to taste
3. enough hot hot water to make a paste.
4. mash paste as a pharmacist mashes medicines
5. mash a lot more (circular motion best)
6. Add hot water to taste and consume. She likes it. ugg!

xfiltrate
Thanx again. I just made my contribution to the above mentioned thread. Thanx for all the hard work
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  #8  
Old 17 Feb 2008
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In Mexico now

I am in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) right now for some dental work (1/2 the price including flight, better attention, and I love Mexico! We lived 3 years in Chiapas and loved it. I now live in Maine when not on a moto in SA. Have spent most of my life in Peru tho...

About Macchu Picchu, that time of year every train ticket is booked weeks in advance. There is another train, but you have to be a resident to get on it.

How long are you wanting to leave your bike? Knowing that I can ask my friends. There IS a HU affiliated place in Lima, but I don't know what or if they charge.

Do you have any specific route Ecuador - Peru? There is some beautiful country if you stay away from the coast. I imagine the bus trip from Lima to Quito will kill any desire to see the coast! Break it up by staying over a day in Mancora at my American expat friend David's hotel
Mancora Beach Bungalows: Mancora, Piura, Peru
The going rate that time of year $62 for a double, but if you give me a date later when you know, I'll see what I can do. It is so nice there on the beach.

Toby
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Old 17 Feb 2008
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Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by charapashanperu View Post
I am in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) right now for some dental work (1/2 the price including flight, better attention, and I love Mexico! We lived 3 years in Chiapas and loved it. I now live in Maine when not on a moto in SA. Have spent most of my life in Peru tho...

About Macchu Picchu, that time of year every train ticket is booked weeks in advance. There is another train, but you have to be a resident to get on it.

How long are you wanting to leave your bike? Knowing that I can ask my friends. There IS a HU affiliated place in Lima, but I don't know what or if they charge.

Do you have any specific route Ecuador - Peru? There is some beautiful country if you stay away from the coast. I imagine the bus trip from Lima to Quito will kill any desire to see the coast! Break it up by staying over a day in Mancora at my American expat friend David's hotel
Mancora Beach Bungalows: Mancora, Piura, Peru
The going rate that time of year $62 for a double, but if you give me a date later when you know, I'll see what I can do. It is so nice there on the beach.

Toby
Thanx for the info! Although $62 a night is pretty steep, we're budgeting $40 a day for two, gas, food, cheap hotel. Not bringing the tent this time, my girl likes her shower every night Probably can only afford to ride every second day, depends on the price of gas. No real plans as of now and will probably keep it that way, hate making plans! Looks like we'll have to plan the M.P. trip though. Find out more when our tickets are confirmed. Thanx again for all your sugestions

PS. If you come to DF, look me up, i'll buy you a
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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Thanks Mr. Ron

Read your post on How to Buy/Tour/Sell in Argentina, your information is accurate and will be very helpful to those traveling after you. A big heart felt thank you for being a man who helps.

Hopefully there will be veterans, like yourself, willing to share their knowledge with others traveling similar routes. And, thanks for the kind words. May the Gods of Machu Pichu bless you and your friend.

Whenever your travels bring you to Buenos Aires, Elisa and I invite you and your friend, as our guests, to stay with us and to park your bike in one of our cocheras. *Coffee on me, whenever .... xfiltrate

*Nescafe available on request!
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Old 18 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xfiltrate View Post
Read your post on How to Buy/Tour/Sell in Argentina, your information is accurate and will be very helpful to those traveling after you. A big heart felt thank you for being a man who helps.

Hopefully there will be veterans, like yourself, willing to share their knowledge with others traveling similar routes. And, thanks for the kind words. May the Gods of Machu Pichu bless you and your friend.

Whenever your travels bring you to Buenos Aires, Elisa and I invite you and your friend, as our guests, to stay with us and to park your bike in one of our cocheras. *Coffee on me, whenever .... xfiltrate

*Nescafe available on request!
Muchisimas gracias! Muy amable
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  #12  
Old 27 Apr 2008
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on the cheap to machu picchu

in cuzco now. seems you can ride a bike to a couple of places nearer to Machu Picchu, namely either Santa Teresa or Hidroeléctrica (5-odd hours from Aguas Calientes), then walk or train it to Aguas Calientes.

going to try it. will report back in a few days as to how it works.

cheers,
andy.
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Old 15 May 2008
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worked well...

very well.
rode to hydroeléctrica, walked up the train line, then up the hill to the site, and back down.
could even afford a pizza in aguas calientes on the money saved.
ps the pass over abra málaga is new asphalt and endless switchbacks, then gets rougher and rougher all the way to hydro. eléctrica that is.
cheers,
andy
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Old 15 May 2008
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Thanx for that helpful bit of info. Unfortunately we've cancelled the trip, but we'll try this sometime in the future.
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Old 25 May 2008
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How long did it take?

Andy,
How long did it take you to ride to the hydro station, get to Machu Picchu and return to Cusco??
I am in Cusco at the moment and plan to do something similar in the next couple of days.
Where did you leave your bike??

Thanks
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