Not to miss shots at Machu Picchu: Anyone been to Machu Picchu, Peru? Any "not to miss shots/compositions" I should be planning? I'll be there just 2 days and need to travel light;...

quenepas Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Anyone been to Machu Picchu, Peru?

Any "not to miss shots/compositions" I should be planning?

I'll be there just 2 days and need to travel light; just taking my Sony a6000 and a couple of zoom lenses.

Thanks in advance for comments.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

quenepas wrote:

Anyone been to Machu Picchu, Peru?

Any "not to miss shots/compositions" I should be planning?

I'll be there just 2 days and need to travel light; just taking my Sony a6000 and a couple of zoom lenses.

Thanks in advance for comments.

At that altitude, you'd better travel light.

rogerl Loc: UK (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Go early & stay late to avoid the crowds. We stayed at the hotel at the gate which enabled us to go in as soon as opened & stay until closing. If you're staying in the village, set off early!

This is our favourite (= favorite!) view.

(Download)

azlynn Loc: Arizona

Actually, Machu Picchu is only around 7000 feet... altitude is not really a problem. That said, we hiked in to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail, arriving at the Sun Gate. That gives you a lovely panoramic view of the entire "city" with the iconic peaks behind it. A bit of an uphill climb, but do-able. I recall some "windows" in a wall that you can shoot through, getting a view of the other buildings. Llamas wander around so you can get some shots of them among the ruins. If you climb Winya Picchu (not sure of the spelling), there are good shots back of the ruins. After that, anything is good. Its a magical place!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

azlynn wrote:

Actually, Machu Picchu is only around 7000 feet... altitude is not really a problem.

Well, that's interesting. From what I have seen on TV, they always mention the thin air at that altitude. Good to know.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

rogerl wrote:

Go early & stay late to avoid the crowds. We stayed at the hotel at the gate which enabled us to go in as soon as opened & stay until closing. If you're staying in the village, set off early!

This is our favourite (= favorite!) view.

Beautiful view!!!
Pat

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Machu Picchu is only 7972', but to reach it, you must go to 11500'

Actually you can develop altitude sickness at 7500' or lower. I have seen it happen at 4500' (Reno/Sparks), but usually only to travelers with COPD or CHF.

Hando Rei Loc: Long Island New York

My wife and daughter will be visiting Machu Pichu this summer . I will pass all the information given to help them with their trek . Thanks !

hawaiidave Loc: Honolulu, HI

There are quite few of us that have been there and posted pictures. You can see them using the search feature. Make sure you have a good wide angle lens. I used my Nikkor 10-24 the whole time. Once you're inside the park everything is so spectacular you can't miss anything important. Aside from the main city, it's about an hour walk to the Inca bridge.and about a two hour hike to the Sun gate. You can maximize your time if you stay at the hotel right outside the park. The physical demands of hiking the Inca trail, or trying to climb Huayna Picchu were way beyond my capabilities.

rustfarmer

My family just got back and had a great trip (I was not able to go with them) The kids, 21 and 26 did the big climb and saw the temple of the moon and the views from the top. Some what rainy but son reported footing was good as rock not mud. Wife stayed below and had a great time exploring the city. Spent the night at the hotel just outside and said this made it possible to beat the crowds. Have not had time to check the 600 photos yet.

mldavis2

It depends on how you get there. You don't have to pass over 11,500 ft. unless you hike the northern route back-country. If you fly into Cusco and take the train into Agua Caliente it's no big deal. Many tourists ride the train in, then ride the bus up to the site. You do have to climb to the Sun Gate if you want the classic shot from above.

When I was there in 2009, they allowed nearly total access to the ruins. Since then, I think there has been a lot of limited access due to excessive damage from idiots and you may not be able to wander about as I did.

Also, if you are able to hike to Huayna Pichu, you need to get there a day ahead of time or very early in the morning because there is a limited number they allow on the trail and it fills up very fast. I was unable to hike that, sadly for that reason.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

mldavis2 wrote:

It depends on how you get there. You don't have t... (show quote)

That's strange; I thought Cusco was 11,000+ feet.

wmb

you can't go wrong.
I am assuming you are not doing the Inca trail.
I suggest four spots for shots:

1. As you enter the main entrance you will quickly reach an option of going up to the caretakers hut on you left or going right. To the right takes you to one of the few thatched roof huts. From there are some amazing shots of the Andes, the center of the citadel, and the road leading up to Machu Picchu from the village below..

2. Then, take the trail you passed coming in going up toward the caretakers hut. Halfway up is a great shot up to the caretakers hut and another down to the citedel. Usually llamas are there to shoot.

3. The classic M.P. shot is from the caretakers hut.

4. Finally, where the Inca Trail enters M.P. is good and walking down from there to the heart of the citadel is also very good.

Have fun. You can't go wrong

rustfarmer

MP is lower than Cusco, which is below 10,000 feet.

mldavis2

Mogul wrote:

That's strange; I thought Cusco was 11,000+ feet.

Yes, 10,800 ft. I forgot that. We hiked a back-country old Inca native trail over Salkantay Pass at 11,500 ft. and then down to Agua Caliente. I do a lot of hiking at that altitude and it doesn't effect me much. I would suggest a day or two in Cusco to acclimate if you have problems. The coca tea is said to help with altitude sickness. Didn't much care for it myself.