Lieb Loc: Idaho

Our guide allowed us all the time we needed to take photos. In fact, he volunteered to take several snapshots of me and my wife. The only caveat was that his tour lasted two hours only, and after that we were free to wander Machu Pichuu on our own. He even told us that we could remain on site for the entire day, but were allowed to exit and re enter one time for a bathroom or food break. That break had to be taken by noon. We found the guides to be very gracious and accommodating. When passing through the entry gate, my pack was not searched and I was not asked if I had anything in my pack. I suspect that if I would have had a mono pod in my pack it would not have been a problem.

You are all correct in that tripods are not allowed and I agree with that policy. However, our guide asked if we had brought walking sticks and when he found that we had not he provided one for my wife. I declined and thought I didn't need one. Later in the tour he offered me his umbrella as a walking stick which I gratefully used for the remainder of our tour.

My intention is not to refute anyone's comments, only to relate our experience.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Tripod permits are pricey. I used a monopod the last time and treated it like a walking stick and no one said a word. Even when I had the camera mounted on it! Lots of ups and downs. Hope you're better at steps than I am.

Lieb Loc: Idaho

Thanks for the reply. A friend of mine recently used a mono pod as well and had the same experience you did. Next time I visit Machu Pichuu I'm going to have a mono pod for photography and as a walking stick.

I did fine with the steps, but felt much more comfortable when our guide gave me his umbrella to use as a walking stick.

Did you visit the ruins at Ollataytambo? I felt very vulnerable on those steps and had no walking stick.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I did, but there I had a young fellow accompanying me and he would walk me down the steps. I can do them if I just have something to keep my balanced. A person is better than a walking stick, but a stick is better than nothing.

Dossile

I just read through TripAdvisor forums on Machu Picchu. Sounds like the government isn’t enforcing the rules on small tripods, walking sticks/monopod or even on guides. Good luck with your adventure.

Caldian Loc: Crystal Lake, Michigan & traveling

We went to Machu Pichu a few years ago and the Galapagos earlier this year.

In relation to Machu Pichu: Cusco is at 10,800 feet elevation whilst Machu Pichu is at 8,040 feet so you will be going lower and breathing should be easier. The altitude will affect you (at least for the first few days) with a background type of headache and shortness of breath so don’t go trying to rush yourself or you could pass out. You don’t specify the type of unsteadiness that you suffer from so it’s difficult to give you advice. If you are losing balance when you bring your camera up I would suggest bracing yourself against a wall or structure. If you are able to take a monopod into the site it could serve as a hiking stick to help brace you when you’re not taking photos. You will need to be reasonably active to climb up and down the terraces and steps throughout the site and there are no handrails to help although the steps are at least regular stone steps and not loose rocks ( like in the Galapagos ). Even if it’s a bit of an effort I would encourage you to make the effort it is truly an experience not to be missed. The locals drink a tea made out of infused cocoa leaves and this helps offset the altitude sickness effects.

In relation to the Galapagos: despite being close to the equator the water temperatures when you have to make a “wet” landing ( i.e. at least your feet in the water) are surprisingly non tropical! Also all landings on the islands are via Zodiac inflatable boats (the locals call them by another name) and if you are unsteady on your feet you will need to be very careful. If it’s any consolation to you there were two ladies on our boat from Texas and they were in their 90’s and managed the landings with assistance. Be aware that there are no manicured walking trails similar to hiking trails in the USA . The Galapagos trails are roughly marked over uneven lava rock fields and the tour boat we were on did provide walking poles . I highly recommend using one. I think a monopod might not be sturdy enough to do duty as a walking pole in that particular environment but I don’t know as I don’t have one. All the guides on the boat we were on were extremely helpful and competent at dealing with all ages and levels of agility.

I have travelled a lot with a Nikon 300S, a 15-70mm and. 55-300mm lens in an over-the-shoulder carry bag and have had no problems. Carrying a tripod or a monopod would make everything too unwieldy in my opinion but I don’t have any balance problems even though I am now 73 years old.

Most of all enjoy the vacation and take lots of spare memory chips! I’m still trying to find time to fully process the nearly 10,000 images I took at Machu Pichu before I even consider those from the Galapagos.

Dossile

Just got back from Machu Picchu. This is high season with 7000 people going through the gates. I will post process out people on several shots. We were checked in regards to our passport and ticket. Nothing else. I still recommend a guide. You can grab one with your language of choice at the entrance. But, that being said, no checking on a guide, or backpacks, or photography gear. Take what you want. Guards are everywhere and will blow their whistle at you for inappropriate behavior. I saw no tripods and only one monopod walking stick used: she got whistled at by the guard. We took in snacks and water. There are a lot of stairs and the altitude is over 8000 ft. I brought a D850 and took most pictures with a Nikkor 16-35 f4, but also played with a Nikkor 70-200 2.8 E. I didn’t feel the need to use a 50 mm prime. We made our first pass through the ruins with a guide initially in mist and light rain then low clouds until the sun broke as we approached the upper vantage points. No sun rise shot. I used my 16-35 on this first run. Our guide left us. We were then able to make a second run through with the 70-200 with the compression factor and narrowing of viewpoint in sun and billowing clouds. The sharpness of that lens is stunning. Tons of fun but tiring, especially marching up the stairs to the guard house and above after getting up at 4:15. We made it into the park by 6:55 and left at 12:30. Both bus lines, coming and going, were an hour.

As for the DSLR vs mirrorless debate. I made a very inexact survey. I was almost clipped by selfie sticks with phones attached a dozen times. Phones out numbered cameras 10-1. I saw one Olympus mirrorless, but smaller mirrorless may have been kept in a backpack. I saw dozens of consumer grade Dx SLR’s which surprised me given the mirrorless advocates, most were Canon and Nikon. Nikon D550’s with a kit lens seemed to be pretty popular. Plenty of point and shoots, most were on belts with a cell phone raised over head with the owner posing for a picture. No professional grade cameras but mine. Once again, take whatever gear you want and feel comfortable carrying.