We are doing the Inca Explorer tour from 28th Aug.
I need advise regarding what type of luggage to take. Is a normal suitcase OK, or do we need a softer type of bag? We will do the 1 day Inca trail hike and have our day packs for that.
How much time will we have at Macchu Pichu having taken 1 day on the hike? When do we head back to Cusco on the last day? Want to make sure we have lots of time to see things without rushing off to the train.
Anne
Inca Explorer
Hi annemc,
Thanks for your post. I haven't done this tour myself, but one of my colleagues has been on it and was able to fill me in on the details you're looking for.
They took softer bags that were easy to carry - you do have to carry your own bags every now & then.
In Cusco the bus can't get to the hotel front door as the street is too narrow & the roads/pavements are quite rough so a suitcase with wheels wouldn't be suitable unless it's light enough to carry.
Space can be a bit limited on the bus so best to take something smaller. Also when you go up to Aguas Calientes you will leave your main luggage in Cusco & only take what you need with you for those few days - so if there are two of you travelling it's best to take 1 bag each on holiday so that you put everything you're leaving behind in one bag & take the other with you.
This bag will be taken to the hotel for you while you do the trek.
The hike starts at approx 10am & you get to Machu Picchu at your own pace (usually at approx 4pm though). You then take some pictures at the famous viewpoint & head back down to the hotel.
The next day you'll get a very early bus up to Machu Picchu to hopefully catch the sunrise, then have a guided tour after which you will have a few hours to walk round on your own. You all then meet at a set time to get the bus back down to Cusco to pick up your bags. You then get the train back to Cusco in the afternoon arriving back in Cusco early evening.
Hope this helps!
Best wishes
Kelly