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[zzz_mello_conn]

I'd like to visit Machu Picchu and am looking for advice on the following topics:

1) best time of year to go there? I know that, being south of the equator, the seasons are "flipped" relative to the US, but don't know how much difference that makes to visiting. It's at a rather high elevation, right? Is it cool there even in their summer time? Is there a rainy season to watch out for?

2) best tour to join? I probably don't have time to find my own way around (also don't speak Spanish), so it's easier to just join a tour group. Of course, there are many to choose-from, with additional destinations, extra "perks" and so forth, so I'm looking for recommendations for the best tour to book with.

Thanks!

[martin.arg]

You see for yourself the statistics about the places aviable in Machui Pïchu.

http://www.inca-trail-machupicchu.com/spaces/

I will do a Trip from the north of Argentina to Machu Pichu travelling through Bolivia, i will start december 12, and i will choose a tour when i will be in Cuzco, negotiating a little you can have the Inca trail for US$150 otherwise you will pay from US$300 and more.
Of course you would need a spanish speaker to do the negotiation...
Cheers
Martin

[martin.arg]

You got it all wrong , I wasnt talking about languages and who undestand and who dont, what i meant was that if you are a local or a southamerican you have better chances to negotiate the price, and i am not talking about that fee, as we dont earn in American Dolars or EUROS, it is a good thing to let them know, so it is easier to negotiate....

[andrea]

........ The trail cost me $15 and I did it with a friend. The $15 is the entrance fee into the site at the end of the trail. Not sure of the rules now. I did my trek in '99. Good luck!!!!

Allen

I'm pretty sure you MUST go with a tour company now....

Andrea

[martin.arg]

Hi Andrea!
Hope you are ok, and by the way happy new year!
I am in Culco Peru, near Arequipa, in about 6 days i am going to arrive to Cuzco, i dont have the inca trail yet!
but tomorrow i will send the money to a friend in Cuzco he will pay it for me, it is U$D200, because i am travelling alone, if more people pay together, is cheaper......
So long!
Martin