photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

I'm planning a trip for next year, and other than the classic shot, what do you world travelers suggest?

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Strive for a shot totally apart from the rest!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ninja, are you spending the night prior to going into the ruin and after, or are you arriving on the morning train and leaving on the evening train?

Edit: how are you getting there from Cuzco, and how long?

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

Train to Cuzco arriving near the end of the travel day and spending the night before acending to the ruins.. At least that's the current plan. Will be in the area for several days.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I don't know if the schedules have changed, but there is an interesting story about one of Galen Rowell's visits to Machu Picchu. Galen was, I believe, doing a feature story for the Peruvian government travel bureau. He needed a piece of equipment which was available in Cusco. However, if he took the morning supply train from MP to Cusco, he would not have time to obtain the device he needed and catch the afternoon return train to MP. So, in the morning, Rowell put on his running shoes (remember, he was known as an outdoorsman before gaining fame as a photographer) and ran from MP to Cusco, arriving in time to retrieve his equipment and enjoy a walk around Cusco before the train arrived. He was then able to enjoy a leisurely ride back to MP. Of course this was many years ago, long before MP became the tourist Mecca it is today. The roads were poor, the trains slow and visitors few. According to my source, a close friend of Galen and Barbara, Galen did not think his accomplishment was extraordinary, but the train crew was quite impressed. Anyway, many of the early publicity shots of MP were shot on that trip.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Mogul, I certainly will not deny that it happened. BUT, it's a very long marathon from MP to Cusco, not to mention that Cusco is at 11,000 feet, and all uphill from MP. But when you're a stud with an 8x10, anything is possible !! SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ninja, I could make a couple of suggestions if you are interested. SS

Gitzo Loc: Indiana

I have never heard that particular story before, but I have read a LOT about Galen Rowell; to say Galen was an "outdoorsman" is like saying "it's quite a distance from here to the moon"! (Quite an understatement) if it's humanly possible, Galen most assuredly DID it ! (The guy was like a tri-athlete on steroids !) ( No one could keep up with him )

More importantly..........not a week ago, I bought a "Book/Magazine put out by "Life", that had fabulous shots of all the worlds most scenic tourist destinations; I've seen thousands of shots of Machu Pichu for years now; they ALL look like they were taken from the same spot........until the one in this new book; it should be in super markets and drug store all over the place, so try to grab a peek at it if you can; where ever the guy took that shot from, find out, and GO to that spot ! (And it had a Lama standing in the foreground, which is half of what made it a world class shot); so when you get there, find some Indian with a Lama, give him a couple of bucks, and get that Lama in YOUR foreground ! (you'll be glad you did !) (and try to get a look at that magazine before you leave ! )

Boots

Are you sure it wasn't an alpaca?

Boots

Are you sure it wasn't an alpaca?

Clicksy Loc: Victoria, Australia

You will have a ball! I did the inca trail for 3 nights before arriving at machu pichu. It is such an amazing place with lots of great picture opportunities! It was a little while ago that I visited, but when arriving we had the opportunity to hike up another mountain close by(unsure of the name but it is the one that is shown in most machu pichu photos) we were all pretty worn out from out 3 days of trekking so opted not to. I imagine had I climbed this small mountain it would've been a great photo opportunity with a different perspective.
Also as Gitzo UH mentioned, lamas really do look great in a photo at machu pichu, and they are roaming freely so you shouldn't have trouble coaxing one into a shot..... Enjoy.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

The first thing to do is to chew a few coca leaves which will be optionally provided by your native guide to assist you while making the climb to the top. Nothing illegal here... and it works.

ghellmann

Get there early or stay late for pics w/o a lot of tourists(find out time of first/last bus from Agua Caliente). If you plan to climb Wayanpichu(the mountain that gives you the looking down at the site views) be advised that climbers are limited - we went up at the "opening" & we're 60 somethingth on the sign in - came down 1.5 hours later & the line was like DisneyLand - not sure what the cut off number is. Great shots abound! - incredible place!! Incredible experience!!!

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

:thumbup:

The hike from the main site up to the Sun Gate is not difficult, but yielded some nice photos. No need to sign up or take a number! Early morning before the place is over-run by tourists is also quite productive. Have a great trip!

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

The internet as well as many travel planners have published thousands of professional pictures of the overall Machu Pichu scenery, taken from carefully planned vantage points which you may not be able to access. Concentrate on the folklore, the locals and their faces as well as the steep climb to the top which offers great photo ops. You will have plenty of time to capture those unique moments. Enjoy!