Some friends of mine just got back from a trip to Machu Picchu, which, if any of you have made the trip know, can either be a very awesome experience, or somewhat of a disaster. They had a great time, but did come back with one tip, that I thought was necessary to pass on to you.

Most tour companies offer package deals that take you down the Inca Trail and into Machu Picchu. They almost all converge in one stop: Aguas Caliente. In my friends case their tour included a two night stay here, as the launch and landing pad for Machu Picchu. The place they stayed was a dirty, dingy, hostel, and since they arrived so late in the evening, they were unable to change to a nicer place until the next day.

Their advice: if you go with a package deal, make sure and exclude the hotel. When you get to Aguas Caliente you will have no problem in finding a place to stay that matches your preferences.

Tips from one traveling Gringo to another…

Related posts:

• More Railway Routes to Open with Service to Machu Picchu
• "The Lost City of the Incas"