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  #1  
Old 11 Apr 2007
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Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
Hi All,

I know there are many posts on the famous machu picchu, however i have been hearing rumours that you need to book a place on the trail in advance etc. Does anyone know what the story is? can you show up in cusco and buy a ticket on the day? or is there a bit more planning involved?
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Old 11 Apr 2007
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Just did Machu Picchu the end of January and first of February.
I have to assume you are refering to the "train" and not "trail".
We did buy or tickets (12) two days in advance. we did not take the train from Cusco but took the last train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes leaves around 8:00pm. This train was full as well as the return.
I would not hold to a strict plan of purchasing the ticket the same day as going to Machu Picchu.
It would make from a long day to take the train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes then take in Machu Picchu and return to Cusco that evening.

Have fun!
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Old 11 Apr 2007
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Hi Blaze , thanks for the reply. Not so much the train , i had it in the back of my head somewhere that one needed a permit or something of the like to go to Machu Picchu? Is this correct?
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Old 12 Apr 2007
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My understanding is that it is quite seasonal. I was there in early November and had no troulble getting a ticket, but they do only allow so many people per day to enter the grounds. I was told by several people that a couple weks earlier everything was booked solid. It rained a lot while I was in Cusco, which may be why I had my pick of days. Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu, is not easy to get to as the only practical way is by train, and you really need to spend at least one night, preferably two, there to have a chance to spend a whole day at the ruins. I found it easier and cheaper to get a package deal, train, grounds admission and hotel, from one of the agencies in Cusco. Well worth going, it was one of the highlights of my South America trip.
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Old 12 Apr 2007
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I did the Inca Trail a few years back just after they tightened regulations. The porters are limited to something like 25kg (to ensure they are not exploited) and there are limits on numbers on the trail.

You may be able to find a space in a group at short notice, however beware of heading off without a week of acclimitisation at high altitudes. Cusco is at something like 3800m, from there you drop quite a bit to the start of the trail at km88?, but then you climb to 4200m over Dead Woman's Pass.

It's a great feeling looking round Machu Piccu knowing you walked there, as opposed to the 'day trippers' who came by train and coach.

Tim
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Old 12 Apr 2007
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Inca Trail
I did the Inca Trail in Sept 2004. By the time I booked in July it was almost all fully booked. They allowed only 500 people at any time on the trail I think, so booking in advance is certainly recommended.

I very much recommend the company called Qu'ente. Prices were ok (considering) and plenty oif very good quality food.

Enjoy the trail!
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