Machu Picchu Anyone?

[Jean O'Boyle]

Has any one out there done the Machu Picchu excursion while on a cruise? I
was wondering how exercise intensive it was before we consider it. It is
offered on the Norwegian Crown in November. I know it has an elevation of
11,000 ft. but after taking the train and bus, is there much stenuous
walking?

--Jean

[ArleneL]

Hi Jean.....

When we were on the Ryndam (Santiago to FLL) they offered this excursion as a 3
day/2 nite option. We felt the cost prohibitive, so didn't do it. What is NCL
getting? Holland America wanted about $1800 PP for the train/bus and almost
$2500 PP for the helicopter one.

Arlene

Jean O'Boyle wrote:

> Has any one out there done the Machu Picchu excursion while on a cruise? I
> was wondering how exercise intensive it was before we consider it. It is
> offered on the Norwegian Crown in November. I know it has an elevation of
> 11,000 ft. but after taking the train and bus, is there much stenuous
> walking?
>
> --Jean

[Jean O'Boyle]

"ArleneL" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Jean.....
>
> When we were on the Ryndam (Santiago to FLL) they offered this excursion
as a 3
> day/2 nite option. We felt the cost prohibitive, so didn't do it. What
is NCL
> getting? Holland America wanted about $1800 PP for the train/bus and
almost
> $2500 PP for the helicopter one.

Hi Arlene,
NCL is offering what they call a 3 day /2 night excursion. The third day
following breakfast, you fly to either Arica or Callao to board the ship for
$1495.pp double rate, $1595.pp.single rate. It includes hotel, flights from
and back to the ship,
plus a tour of Santo Domingo Monastary which is built on the site of the
Incan Temple of the Sun, a cathedral with gold & silver altars and the Inca
Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. On the second day, you take a train and then
transfer to a minibus for the 25 minute ascent to Machu Picchu, where a
guide will lead you to terraced temples, palaces, and underlying
passage-ways carved out of solid rock. No helicopter tour was mentioned in
the brochure. It is quite pricey~but I rationalize it by thinking that we
are so close to such an amazing site that it would be foolish not to go~we
never will go that way again in all probability! Of course, getting
permission of our doctors will be another thing helping us make the final
decision~I just wondered how strenuous it was in such a high altitude and
hoped that someone on r.t.c. had experienced it.. Now that you didn't when
you had the opportunity, do you wish that you had?

--Jean

[ArleneL]

Jean O'Boyle wrote:

> "ArleneL" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi Jean.....
> >
> > When we were on the Ryndam (Santiago to FLL) they offered this excursion
> as a 3
> > day/2 nite option. We felt the cost prohibitive, so didn't do it. What
> is NCL
> > getting? Holland America wanted about $1800 PP for the train/bus and
> almost
> > $2500 PP for the helicopter one.
>
> Hi Arlene,
> NCL is offering what they call a 3 day /2 night excursion. The third day
> following breakfast, you fly to either Arica or Callao to board the ship for
> $1495.pp double rate, $1595.pp.single rate. It includes hotel, flights from
> and back to the ship,
> plus a tour of Santo Domingo Monastary which is built on the site of the
> Incan Temple of the Sun, a cathedral with gold & silver altars and the Inca
> Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. On the second day, you take a train and then
> transfer to a minibus for the 25 minute ascent to Machu Picchu, where a
> guide will lead you to terraced temples, palaces, and underlying
> passage-ways carved out of solid rock. No helicopter tour was mentioned in
> the brochure. It is quite pricey~but I rationalize it by thinking that we
> are so close to such an amazing site that it would be foolish not to go~we
> never will go that way again in all probability! Of course, getting
> permission of our doctors will be another thing helping us make the final
> decision~I just wondered how strenuous it was in such a high altitude and
> hoped that someone on r.t.c. had experienced it.. Now that you didn't when
> you had the opportunity, do you wish that you had?
>
> --Jean

Hi Jean........

No. No regrets. Probably because we will eventually do the "whole enchilada",
i.e. Amazon/Galapagos, Machu Picchu/Cuzco, etc. Other than cruising, we do a lot
of land stuff too and have used both Grand Circle and OAT extensively. We
figure those exotics need a bit more than you can get while cruising, so we like
the lower pace and more intensive itinerary that you can only get on land. The
best of both worlds. What a life! <grin>

Arlene

[User 1.nospam]

Dunno if this will be any help...but
Cuzco and Sacsayhuaman (the natives tell you to say it as "sexy woman") are
at 15,000 ft....instant headache when I got off the plane. If you can tour
them, you can do Macchu Picchu. MP's altitude was much easier than Cuzco
(on me). MP is not unlike Mesa Verde (but no big ladders)....the train
takes you to the station, you take a bus up, up, up till you get to MP.
There is a hotel, restaurant up there where you can sit and have a cool
drink if you don't want to tour the ruins. The MP site is not that large,
area wise, and any tour guide you may have should find it easy to accomodate
you if you want to sit down or return to the hotel. Unless you have major
health problems, I would agree....don't miss it! Just remember to do things
like the 'six million dollar man' used to do (the TV show) ....everything in
slow motion! High altitude makes you that way!

BTW, the train ride from Cuzco to MP (leaves at 7am, as I recall) is a
wonderful side benefit to the trip.

Oh yeah, the hotel in Cuzco had an oxygen bottle at the front desk for guest
use if they wanted it. A little oxygen can sure help an altitude headache
go away.

I could go on and on, but feel free to ask questions if you like.

"Jean O'Boyle" > wrote in message
. ..
> Has any one out there done the Machu Picchu excursion while on a cruise?
I
> was wondering how exercise intensive it was before we consider it. It is
> offered on the Norwegian Crown in November. I know it has an elevation of
> 11,000 ft. but after taking the train and bus, is there much stenuous
> walking?
>
> --Jean
>
>

[Jean O'Boyle]

Thank you so much!! The instant headache ~what did you do for it~just rest
and wait for the adjustment or did it continue during your entire stay? I
know that you mentioned the oxygen~did you take advantage of that? Did you
notice the age of the participants and if anyone seemed to have any
difficulties? I'm glad that there is the option of resting in the restaurant
if you wish. Did you take any of the tours offered in Cuzco?
Which ship did you take or was this a land trip? Please feel free to post me
privately if you think there is anything else I should know as I would love
to hear you go on and on!
Thanks again,

--Jean


"User 1.nospam" > wrote in message
.. .
> Dunno if this will be any help...but
> Cuzco and Sacsayhuaman (the natives tell you to say it as "sexy woman")
are
> at 15,000 ft....instant headache when I got off the plane. If you can
tour
> them, you can do Macchu Picchu. MP's altitude was much easier than Cuzco
> (on me). MP is not unlike Mesa Verde (but no big ladders)....the train
> takes you to the station, you take a bus up, up, up till you get to MP.
> There is a hotel, restaurant up there where you can sit and have a cool
> drink if you don't want to tour the ruins. The MP site is not that large,
> area wise, and any tour guide you may have should find it easy to
accomodate
> you if you want to sit down or return to the hotel. Unless you have major
> health problems, I would agree....don't miss it! Just remember to do
things
> like the 'six million dollar man' used to do (the TV show) ....everything
in
> slow motion! High altitude makes you that way!
>
> BTW, the train ride from Cuzco to MP (leaves at 7am, as I recall) is a
> wonderful side benefit to the trip.
>
> Oh yeah, the hotel in Cuzco had an oxygen bottle at the front desk for
guest
> use if they wanted it. A little oxygen can sure help an altitude headache
> go away.
>
> I could go on and on, but feel free to ask questions if you like.
>
> "Jean O'Boyle" > wrote in message
> . ..
> > Has any one out there done the Machu Picchu excursion while on a cruise?
> I
> > was wondering how exercise intensive it was before we consider it. It is
> > offered on the Norwegian Crown in November. I know it has an elevation
of
> > 11,000 ft. but after taking the train and bus, is there much stenuous
> > walking?
> >
> > --Jean
> >
> >
>
>

[Karen Selwyn]

Jean O'Boyle wrote:
>
> I just wondered how strenuous it was in such a high altitude and
> hoped that someone on r.t.c. had experienced it.. Now that you didn't when
> you had the opportunity, do you wish that you had?

When we cruised from San Juan to Santiago a couple of years ago on ROYAL
PRINCESS, we passed on the Machu Picchu excursion, but went to the
Galapagos Islands. The comments from returning cruisers were universal.
Everyone became ill, yet no one regretted having taken the trip. No one
was mildly ill. Everyone experienced at least a severe headache, and
some had worse symptoms still. Still, there wasn't a single person who
wished he/she had passed up the opportunity.

Incidentally, if Machu Picchu is your destination, you will actually
feel better once you arrive there. Cuzco -- the town where the hotels
are located -- is a couple of thousand feet higher than Machu Picchu
itself.

Karen Selwyn

[Jean O'Boyle]

Thanks, Karen,
By worse symptoms than severe headaches, would you please go into more
detail?
I guess it will be up to my doctor now. Did you get a yellow fever
immunization before you went?

--Jean

"Karen Selwyn" > wrote in message
news:ai8ab.68605$Go4.42494@lakeread01...
> Jean O'Boyle wrote:
> >
> > I just wondered how strenuous it was in such a high altitude and
> > hoped that someone on r.t.c. had experienced it.. Now that you didn't
when
> > you had the opportunity, do you wish that you had?
>
> When we cruised from San Juan to Santiago a couple of years ago on ROYAL
> PRINCESS, we passed on the Machu Picchu excursion, but went to the
> Galapagos Islands. The comments from returning cruisers were universal.
> Everyone became ill, yet no one regretted having taken the trip. No one
> was mildly ill. Everyone experienced at least a severe headache, and
> some had worse symptoms still. Still, there wasn't a single person who
> wished he/she had passed up the opportunity.
>
> Incidentally, if Machu Picchu is your destination, you will actually
> feel better once you arrive there. Cuzco -- the town where the hotels
> are located -- is a couple of thousand feet higher than Machu Picchu
> itself.
>
> Karen Selwyn
>

[Doug McDonald]

Jean O'Boyle wrote:
>
> Thanks, Karen,
> By worse symptoms than severe headaches, would you please go into more
> detail?


The normal worse symptoms are cerebral edema followed by death

However, these are uncommon at the altitude of Cuzco
and vicinity

[Jean O'Boyle]

"Doug McDonald" > wrote in message
...
> Jean O'Boyle wrote:
> >
> > Thanks, Karen,
> > By worse symptoms than severe headaches, would you please go into more
> > detail?
>
>
> The normal worse symptoms are cerebral edema followed by death
>
> However, these are uncommon at the altitude of Cuzco
> and vicinity

Your usual derisive, scornful self, Doug? Since I directed my post to
Karen, I'll wait for a sensible reply, thank you.

--Jean

[Karen Selwyn]

Jean O'Boyle wrote:
> Thanks, Karen,

First of all, it's a pleasure being back at the computer! In the wake of
Isabel, we just spent 44 hours without power. Still we came through the
storm with only spoiled food to show for the experience. Large swaths
of the Washington metro are still in the dark.

Power crews from Mt. Airy, NC restrung the wires that were down on our
street so a very special thanks to any readers out there from Mt. Airy
and vicinity.


> By worse symptoms than severe headaches, would you please go into more
> detail?

Breathing problems. My husband and I recall that several of the
excursion group had to use the oxygen at Cuzco. From memory, Machu
Picchu is 2,000 feet lower than Cuzco so even the people needing oxygen
fared well at the ruins.

Travelers are given a special tea and told to rest in bed for several
hours upon arrival in Cuzco. How diligently people followed these
instructions also seems to played a role in how they reacted to the
altitude.

> I guess it will be up to my doctor now.

There is some medicine that your doctor can prescribe to help you deal
with the very high altitudes. (Sorry, I can't remember the name of the
Rx.) My husband already has some vision problems and the particular
medicine has a history of causing vision problems. The doctor wasn't
willing to take the chance of creating more problems for my husband.
This coupled with the speed of the excursion were the deciding factors
in passing on Machu Picchu.

Incidentally, travelers visiting as a land package are able to travel up
to Cuzco in stages and they find the altitude much easier to take.

Our excursion to the Galapagos was a wonderful experience and we have no
regrets about giving Machu Picchu a pass.

Did you get a yellow fever
> immunization before you went?

We certainly did! We would not have been allowed off the ship at some
ports without showing PRINCESS proof of yellow fever immunization at
embarkation. I don't recall suffering any ill effects from the
immunization. However, I can't say the same about Lariam which we took
as a precaution against malaria. I had vertigo symptoms after only one
dose and my husband temporarily lost some vision after two doses. We
both switched over to a different medicine.

Karen Selwyn

[Sue and Kevin Mullen]

Karen Selwyn wrote:

> First of all, it's a pleasure being back at the computer! In the wake of
> Isabel, we just spent 44 hours without power. Still we came through the
> storm with only spoiled food to show for the experience. Large swaths
> of the Washington metro are still in the dark.
>
> Power crews from Mt. Airy, NC restrung the wires that were down on our
> street so a very special thanks to any readers out there from Mt. Airy
> and vicinity.

I am glad that you are ok, here in south jersey we only lost power for
about 3 hrs. I have 4 nephews in the Baltimore/Wash DC area and was glad
to hear that all are fine. I know there have been a lot of problems down
there.

Thanks for a very through and informative post.

sue

[Jean O'Boyle]

Answered inline:

"Karen Selwyn" > wrote in message
news:lE8bb.2181$a16.2176@lakeread01...
> First of all, it's a pleasure being back at the computer! In the wake of
> Isabel, we just spent 44 hours without power.

Karen,
I'm sorry about your ordeal and pleased to hear you weathered the storm~no
fun being in the dark for so long. I'm glad it is all over for you.

> > By worse symptoms than severe headaches, would you please go into more
> > detail?
>
> Breathing problems. My husband and I recall that several of the
> excursion group had to use the oxygen at Cuzco. From memory, Machu
> Picchu is 2,000 feet lower than Cuzco so even the people needing oxygen
> fared well at the ruins.

Although we do not have breathing problems, one never knows until they get
there. I guess getting off the plane and getting hit by it immediately is a
different story. I have gone to Pike's Peak with no problem whatsoever, but
the train ascent was gradual and as you said much easier to take.

> Travelers are given a special tea and told to rest in bed for several
> hours upon arrival in Cuzco. How diligently people followed these
> instructions also seems to played a role in how they reacted to the
> altitude.

If we are able to go, I will do as told for sure, having experienced
migraines years ago, I don't want to go that way again!

> There is some medicine that your doctor can prescribe to help you deal
> with the very high altitudes. (Sorry, I can't remember the name of the
> Rx.) My husband already has some vision problems and the particular
> medicine has a history of causing vision problems. The doctor wasn't
> willing to take the chance of creating more problems for my husband.
> This coupled with the speed of the excursion were the deciding factors
> in passing on Machu Picchu.

Since reading all of your very helpful information, Ed is going to make an
appointment tomorrow with the doctor at the Travel Clinic we have here at
Brooke Army Medical Center to get started on all necessary immunizations and
medicines. Thank you so very much for sharing.

>Did you have to get yellow fever immunizations?

> We certainly did! We would not have been allowed off the ship at some
> ports without showing PRINCESS proof of yellow fever immunization at
> embarkation. I don't recall suffering any ill effects from the
> immunization.

I wonder if NCL has the same requirements~will have to check even though we
plan to be covered before we leave, thanks to you!.

>However, I can't say the same about Lariam which we took
> as a precaution against malaria. I had vertigo symptoms after only one
> dose and my husband temporarily lost some vision after two doses. We
> both switched over to a different medicine.

Hopefully, we will be will be given something besides Lariam~I have heard
too many unfavorable things about it. I don't know what our daughter, who is
an R.N. in Africa, was given before she left for there, but she came down
with malaria anyway.
Thanks again, Karen, you have been an enormous help!

--Jean

[Deirdre Saoirse Moen]

In article >, "Jean O'Boyle"
> wrote:

> Although we do not have breathing problems, one never knows until they get
> there. I guess getting off the plane and getting hit by it immediately is a
> different story. I have gone to Pike's Peak with no problem whatsoever, but
> the train ascent was gradual and as you said much easier to take.

Even Colorado Springs was high enough that I had breathing problems,
though I was getting over it after about 3 days.

--
_Deirdre http://deirdre.net
"Dogs may have kept us company on the hunt, but it was the cats who
insisted we invent houses and discover fire." -- Khiem Tran

[John Graas]

Karen Selwyn > wrote:

>Jean O'Boyle wrote:
<snip>
>
> Did you get a yellow fever
>> immunization before you went?
>
>We certainly did! We would not have been allowed off the ship at some
>ports without showing PRINCESS proof of yellow fever immunization at
>embarkation. I don't recall suffering any ill effects from the
>immunization. However, I can't say the same about Lariam which we took
>as a precaution against malaria. I had vertigo symptoms after only one
>dose and my husband temporarily lost some vision after two doses. We
>both switched over to a different medicine.
>
>Karen Selwyn

Interesting. We did the tour off of HAL (2002) and there was no
requirement for a yellow fever immunization. Looking that the
immunization sites, requirements seemed to be driven by from which
country one enters Peru.

As for headaches, drink the tea, rest when they recommend it, and one
should be fine unless one has a health problem. We had plenty of
seniors on our tour, and I don't remember any major problems.

Also: when we went, helicopter tours were no longer offered (per the
guides) due to damage to the site caused by the vibrations.

jdg


**** Remove _spamme_ from e-mail address to respond. ****

"You have to learn WHY things work on a Starship."
-- "Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan"

[capbrit]

Has anyone here taken the Machu Picchu tour from Paul Beaver's group
www.peruandes.com ?

I'm considering it and hoping to hear from someone that has.

[Jos Flachs]

On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 23:55:53 GMT, capbrit
> wrote:

>Has anyone here taken the Machu Picchu tour from Paul Beaver's group
>www.peruandes.com ?
>
>I'm considering it and hoping to hear from someone that has.
No, I have been there, but we book ourselves. Be aware that the
altitude is high! Go VERY easy on physical exercise, and take some
aspirin with you.
I had to help some elderly people in our group, and got a splitting
headache.

But the site is well worth it. Hope you see the "Byyyyye Byeee! boys"!

[Mason Barge]

On Sat, 20 Sep 2003 16:47:17 GMT, "Jean O'Boyle"
> wrote:

>Thanks, Karen,
>By worse symptoms than severe headaches, would you please go into more
>detail?
>I guess it will be up to my doctor now. Did you get a yellow fever
>immunization before you went?
>
>--Jean

Headaches
Mild shortness of breath
Nausea
Breathing irregularity (during sleep)
Loss of appetite
Dizziness or light headedness
Mild weakness
Slight swelling of hands and face

You really should be okay, although you may have to force yourself to
eat. Just take it easy and get lots of sleep. Walk slowly and don't
try to keep up if you don't feel like it.

There is a drug called "Diamox" that helps quite a bit, but there are
side effects. Ask your doctor about it.

>"Karen Selwyn" > wrote in message
>news:ai8ab.68605$Go4.42494@lakeread01...
>> Jean O'Boyle wrote:
>> >
>> > I just wondered how strenuous it was in such a high altitude and
>> > hoped that someone on r.t.c. had experienced it.. Now that you didn't
>when
>> > you had the opportunity, do you wish that you had?
>>
>> When we cruised from San Juan to Santiago a couple of years ago on ROYAL
>> PRINCESS, we passed on the Machu Picchu excursion, but went to the
>> Galapagos Islands. The comments from returning cruisers were universal.
>> Everyone became ill, yet no one regretted having taken the trip. No one
>> was mildly ill. Everyone experienced at least a severe headache, and
>> some had worse symptoms still. Still, there wasn't a single person who
>> wished he/she had passed up the opportunity.
>>
>> Incidentally, if Machu Picchu is your destination, you will actually
>> feel better once you arrive there. Cuzco -- the town where the hotels
>> are located -- is a couple of thousand feet higher than Machu Picchu
>> itself.
>>
>> Karen Selwyn
>>
>

Mason Barge

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln