Disenchanted - Machu Picchu Tourist Traps

I can understand that using guides helps the local economy and provides jobs. There are certainly many people that would do it this way whether the option to do it solo was available or not. Though not a physically easy hike, it is one that would be hard to get lost on. Surely a guide is not needed but it is a way for the Peruvian government to limit the number of people using the trail and certainly a way to stimulate their economy. Though I can see charging a fee to use the trail, I find the insistence on using a guide overly restrictive. Many backpackers enjoy the doing trips on their own and part of the lure of the sport is its lack of expense. Unless you have a group with you, hiring a guide is even more costly than going on a tour. The cheapest ones running out of Cusco are around $160 for four days/three nights. This doesn’t sound bad to well-heeled tourists but for many travelers, it is more than the are willing to spend for something they could do for a fraction of the cost on their own. It seems a shame to turn one of the world’s great walks into something for only those with money. There are much more expensive trips going too and as more people want to do the trip, which is to say that at some point, perhaps only expensive trips will be offered. People who might not normally even undertake such a arduous walk but who merely want to do the most famous activity will now fill the spots of people who would genuinely like to experience nature. Let’s hope there is some kind of compromise on this in the future or that things do not become even worse (i.e. the supposed building of a cable car to the ruins!)

It would be nice to have a group of your friends or people you met traveling who wanted to do the trek. You could then maybe hire just a guide and do the rest on your own. At this point, if you don't have a small group, it is just cheaper to join a tour.

In the past, porters were poorly paid and often had to carry ridiculous loads. The tour companies were raking in the money and not giving it to the people who were working hardest. Now, there are weigh stations just like they have for trucks so the loads are consistent. They are stil heavy for their size though but these are very strong guys for their stature. Be generous tipping them after the trek, they deserve it.

Disenchanted, Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu Hotels

Disenchanted, Machu Picchu

Visiting Machu Picchu?

Visiting Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu Hotels