Machu Picchu Excursion

[Rustee]

Am looking at doing the Inca Discovery cruise and while in Lima a 53hr stop HAL offers an excursion to MP departing and returning to Lima. I would like to hear the thoughts from people who have done this excursion and what was the cost. Thankyou

[Cruzin Terri]

Am looking at doing the Inca Discovery cruise and while in Lima a 53hr stop HAL offers an excursion to MP departing and returning to Lima. I would like to hear the thoughts from people who have done this excursion and what was the cost. Thankyou

 

I would go to the ports section and you will find a lot of information on people who have done this independently of the ship and have done it for a lot less money. I for one have done it that way.

 

HAL's price is exorbitant and you don't get to see much. We did it on the repo from Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale leaving the ship in Lima and rejoining it in Guayaquil. We stayed off the ship three nights and it cost less than HAL's trip that only allowed two nights off the ship.

Terri

[Mary Ellen]

You can see the price of shore excursions on the HAL site. When looking at the itinerary, just above it you'll see a blue box - view shore excursion for this cruise (or something to that effect). When you click on that you'll get a PDF of the excursions. If the cruise you are considering is too far out for shore ex to be available, try looking for an earlier sailing with a similar itinerary. The prices will probably change, but you'll have a ballpark idea.

 

We've looked at that shore ex and have decided to do it on our own as a land vacation. Even paying for air from the US, and staying 7-10 days, it makes more sense for us than a 'quickie' visit at HAL's price. :eek: We'll either go r/t from the US or on our way to/from Santiago for a cruise.

[WisRiver]

We did the HAL reposition cruise from Buenos Aires to Boston that had a two day stop in Lima. We looked at the Manchu Picchu excursion. I remember the cost was about $2000 per person. The HAL excursion allowed a short period of time in Cuzco, day trip to MP, back to Cuzco and meet the ship in Trujullo, Peru. We spoke with several shipmates who took the HAL excursion. They said that their tour was enjoyable, but too short.

 

We decided that the HAL excursion was too short a period of time in Peru. For about the same amount of money as the HAL tour we made arrangements through Adios Adventures for a five night six day tour that allowed us to see the Cuzco area and Sacred Valley as well as MP. We did not feel rushed and had a great visit. The cost for us included the extra plane fare for stopping in Lima as well as Cuzco-Lima plane fares. In addition we had the opportunity to spend two days in Lima as well as Trujillo as part of the cruise. Trujillo has an excellent tour of pre-Inca ruins that are a counterpoint to the Inca ruins of MP and Cuzco.

 

My suggestion is to try to arrange a tour to see MP before you get on the ship.

[lazey1]

Am looking at doing the Inca Discovery cruise and while in Lima a 53hr stop HAL offers an excursion to MP departing and returning to Lima. I would like to hear the thoughts from people who have done this excursion and what was the cost. Thankyou

 

On the Inca Discovery cruise beginning 11/02/14 the costs for HAL's Machu Picchu excursion are as follows: (This is a 3 day excursion)

$2,999.pp for standard double, or $3,499. for standard single,

$4,299.pp for superior double, or $$4,899. for superior doubles.

 

Can't give you any thoughts as we have not done this excursion.

 

If you decide to take this cruise please come and join our roll-call

Edited July 30, 2014 by lazey1

[willow949]

We are on the Nov. 2 cruise and booked the excursion with Hal. Yes, it is very expensive, but they take care of everything and you are guaranteed to get back on the ship. This is my only chance to see it and my husband can't sit in an airplane that long from the US to Peru to take an independent trip. Yes 7-10 days would be awesome, but I will take the 3 days and am willing to pay for it. IMO

[KirkNC]

We have elected to take the time at the end of our Celebrity Galapagos cruise to visit MP with a guide as some here have suggested. For the price HAL charges you can get a week long tour including hotels instead of a couple of days.

[TxnAquarian]

I think it all comes down to how much money is "a lot" to you. Also, do you plan to return to Peru in the future? We did the 3-day excursion with Celebrity back in December, leaving the ship in Lima and returning in Arica. Yes, it was very expensive - $6,000 for two of us. This included some meals, accommodations in 5-star hotels and the Hiram Bingham train. The excursion was fantastic - rushed, yes, but amazing. Machu Picchu is a place not to be missed. Out of 2,000 people on the ship, there were only 30 of us who took the tour and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. We do only cruises, so doing this excursion through the cruise line was worth it for us, as we won't be doing a land-based trip in that area.

 

 

 

Michael

[Cruzin Terri]

We are on the Nov. 2 cruise and booked the excursion with Hal. Yes, it is very expensive, but they take care of everything and you are guaranteed to get back on the ship. This is my only chance to see it and my husband can't sit in an airplane that long from the US to Peru to take an independent trip. Yes 7-10 days would be awesome, but I will take the 3 days and am willing to pay for it. IMO

 

I went with another company that did everything for me and took care of everything and got me back to the ship on time too.

It was half the price that HAL charged and we stayed in 5* hotels and one extra night. And we were the only two and it was personalized service.

Terri

Edited July 31, 2014 by Cruzin Terri

[CJcruzer]

On the Inca Discovery cruise beginning 11/02/14 the costs for HAL's Machu Picchu excursion are as follows: (This is a 3 day excursion)

$2,999.pp for standard double, or $3,499. for standard single,

$4,299.pp for superior double, or $$4,899. for superior doubles.

 

Can't give you any thoughts as we have not done this excursion.

 

If you decide to take this cruise please come and join our roll-call

 

oh my goodness, we were just on a 11 day land trip, Lima, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cuzco, flew over the Nazca lines, Ballestas islands and up to the Lake Titicaca region for a tad more than Hal's standard, and less than their superior...and we stayed at some wonderful hotels. I would definitely look into doing a land trip - amazing culture.... we came in one day earlier and stayed 2 days after - getting to see more of Lima.

 

Carol

[DWAliaschief]

We decided that the HAL excursion was too short a period of time in Peru. For about the same amount of money as the HAL tour we made arrangements through Adios Adventures for a five night six day tour that allowed us to see the Cuzco area and Sacred Valley as well as MP. We did not feel rushed and had a great visit. The cost for us included the extra plane fare for stopping in Lima as well as Cuzco-Lima plane fares. In addition we had the opportunity to spend two days in Lima as well as Trujillo as part of the cruise. Trujillo has an excellent tour of pre-Inca ruins that are a counterpoint to the Inca ruins of MP and Cuzco.

 

My suggestion is to try to arrange a tour to see MP before you get on the ship.

 

Another shout out for Adios Adventure - we used them prior to our Antarctica sailing. The responsiveness and care the guides and tour operator have is phenomenal - from taking care of sick hubby to making sure we were met and escorted each place we needed to be.

[Harry1954]

We did the HAL MP tour in 2011 .. it was one of the best organized, most well run excursion we have experienced. Further, the trip itself was priceless. We fretted over the cost but decided it was a once in lifetime opportunity - and we were glad we did.

 

If you are thinking about it, make sure you choose the option to take the Hiram Bingham train ride to MP if offered - it was quite a hoot.

 

harry