Better places to go than Machu Picchu?

Machiavelli

Every other post seems to be about Machu Picchu, so I just thought I would change the subject. I have been, and yes it is amazing. However.... I think there are better sites and experiences in South America. I think the salt flats in Uyuni, Bolivia are the most amazing site I have seen on the continent. Also, if you can put up with everything eating you, a trip into the amazon makes you feel like a true explorer.

I am planning a trip back to Venezuela and Colombia. Where should I go? Angel Falls worth the trip? Better than MP?
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paul · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:57 pm Post subject:

I recall reading that there are lots of Machu Picchus yet to be unveiled (some possibly more impressive)... is this true, and are there any that tourists will be able to visit in the near future?

Paul
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Machiavelli · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:18 pm Post subject:

I had a friend who went to another similar place in the Apurimac region. He said the trek was really tough (harder tha the Inca trail) but when he got there it was just him, his guide and a donkey that was carrying the stuff for them! Which when you compare it to the crowds at MP is impressive. He said that the site was really impressive and worth the trip, but not as 'revealed' as MP as it was very over grown in places. They did a lot of work uncovering MP before the mass tourism.

I can't remember the name of the site, but he organised it in a town called Abancay (by asking around) which is the capital of the region. You can get to Abancay on a bus from Cuzco in just under 5 hours.
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Traveller876 · Baggage Handler Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 12 13 ants

Personally I think Tikal in Guatemala is more impressive than Machu Picchu.

Angel Falls is amazing they say - I don't know though as my fly-by had to turn round due to bad weather, so I never got to see it. This happens to about 40% of all Angel Falls fly-bys apparently.
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Señor Nick · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:12 am Post subject:

xhalmers_860 · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject:

There are several inca trails (on paved inca roads) coming down from La Paz, Bolivia to the lowlands. Same area. You don't need to book, pay or have a guide to do them. You can get a normal bus to the start of the trail from the city- about 2 hours. All three or four day treks. You don't get the big wossname at the end; but that is a tiny part of a big trip, and the advantages outweigh it I really do think!

On both the ones I went on we only saw one or two other people in total other than the group of friends I was with. In three days! I saw wild horses. The silence is breathtaking, there are literally thousands of streams on the way down to drink from- some campsites on all the routes and you always end up in a hippyish Bolivian Yungas town with lots of laid back bars, and a bus back up the hill.

Seriously- these are a better option.

paul · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject:

You might want to look into Choquequirao, billed by The New York Times as "The Other Machu Picchu". Apparently it's about twice the size and far less visited.

Paul
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Señor Nick · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:32 am Post subject:

Señor Nick · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:42 am Post subject:

grantmasterflash · Trainee Pilot Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 204 237 ants

My biggest highlights in South America was staying in the Amazon with indigenous people and Machu Picchu. I was seriously impacted by both experiences.

Grant

pezzhull · Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:36 pm Post subject:

Patagonia

Manu in Amazon for 3-5 days

Galapagos

williamsjhoe · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:21 am Post subject:

Hello!!

I trekked the Inca Trail in 2004 - and it was amazing!! I did a 5 week tour of Ecuador, Peru and Boliva, and it was certainly the highlight! We went with a local tour group called 'Spectaled Bear Tours'. There was 7 in our group and it was really well organised. Groups are staggered in the time they start the Inca Trail so it doesn't seem as crowded as you might think. You will see other people, and depending on your schedule of how far you trek each day you will stop at different campsites to other groups. The landscape and country is amazing - alot of uphill, and then downhill climbing, with other small Inca ruins to see on the way. Actually reaching Machu Picchu after 4 hard days trekking is an amazing experience! I would certainly investigate other trek routes to Machu Pichu. I believe they are bringing in stronger enforcement on the main Inca Trail so it may be easier and cheaper to trek one of the alternatives. Check out this Website ----andeanlife.com----
Hope this helps!!

raybman · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

From Lima, fly into Iquitos and from there you can use one of the many guides or groups to go into the Amazon jungle and spend a few days. If you have a good guide you can see some amazing creatures and meet some really interesting people. We used Explorama Lodges for our trip; excellent group.
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wildnomad · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: Colombia

Have you done the trek in Colombia to the Lost City, Cuidad Perdida? 6 days, 5 nights, through jungle and wading through rivers - it's an incredible adventure trek and Colombia on the who is an incredible country to explore, with everything from salt cathedrals to mud volcanoes. I just put together the most incredible 17 day trip that covered a large portion of the country and I'd be happy to send you a copy of the itinerary if you want.

All the best

Nat

onejungle · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject: Mayan Route

There is nothing like the "Ruta Maya" or "Mayan Route". It encompasses 5 countries: el salvador, honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. The best part is traveling from Mayan Pyramid to pyramid in the Mayan Jungles, visiting cenotes staying in cabanas....it's just plain awesome. I did a 5-day trip out of cancun and ended in playa del carmen, mexico !
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