The New Travel Thread: Now with write ups in the OP

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Jax Teller, Apr 8, 2015.

  1. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    TMB GUIDE TO MACHU PICCHU

    If you have cash to burn, and time to spare, than you won't need this. In this plan I spread out the payments and only require you to miss 4 days of work (7 day trip). I picked Labor Day 2017 (9-2-17 to 9-8-17) because I know the timing and weather worked for me in 16'. I'm sure any 4 day work-week would be fine. I also didn't do the hike (which requires time and more money). I'm not advocating against the hike, but after all the stuff I did (in only 7 days), I'm glad I didn't hike. You can "hike" (walk up a simple trail from base camp) up to Machu Picchu in the morning before the bus leaves if you would like.

    The basis of the trip is Home to Lima to Cusco to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) and then in reverse. You can't fly directly to Cusco, although you could try and have a quick layover in Lima airport and quickly go to Cusco. You can only get to Aguas by train. The purchases below may seem like an overkill to get to a mountain, but there aren't many other options....

    Steps:

    • November 2016: Purchase 1 way flight from Home to Lima, Peru (LIM) for September 2nd, 2017. I personally used https://www.skyscanner.com/ and then after seeing which airlines went (JetBlue) I opened a new browser and then went to their website. +/- $400
    • December 2016: X
    • January 2017: Purchase 1 way flight from Lima (LIM) to Home for September 8, 2017. I personally used https://www.skyscanner.com/ and then after seeing which airlines went (JetBlue) I opened a new browser and then went to their website. +/- $400
    • February 2017: Purchase 1 way flight from Lima (LIM) to Cusco (CUZ) for September 3rd, 2017. I would make it mid-day which would give you the morning in Lima, but the evening in Cusco (quick 1 hour flight). I used Avianca http://www.avianca.com/en-do/ +/- $100
    • March 2017: Purchase your gate tickets (yes like Disney) online to Machu Picchu for September 6, 2017. Purchase here (they'll email to print) http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/ +/- $50
    • April 2017: Purchase 1 way flight from Cusco (CUZ) to Lima (LIM) for September 7, 2017. I would make it mid-day which would give you the morning in Cusco, but the evening in Lima (quick 1 hour flight). I used Avianca http://www.avianca.com/en-do/ +/- $100
    • May 2017: Purchase 1 way train ride from Cusco (Poroy Station) to Aguas Calientes (base camp for Machu Picchu) for September 5, 2017. Buy here http://www.perurail.com/ but you get your tickets at an office in Cusco. +/- $100
    • June 2017: Purchase 1 way train ride from Aguas Calientes (base camp for Machu Picchu) to Cusco (Poroy Station) for September 6, 2017. Make sure these tickets are for 4 pm'ish. You will be doing Machu Picchu all morning (I did 6 am to 1 pm) and then riding train back to Cusco later. Buy here http://www.perurail.com/ but you get your tickets at an office in Cusco. +/- $100
    • July 2017: Book all of your lodging. Most of these bookings will require a nominal down payment of $5-10. I stayed in Hostel's (http://www.hostelworld.com/) with private room/bathrooms. There are plenty of hotel options as well. Lima: Ibis Hotel in Miraflores or something very close to it. Cusco: Hostel El Grial or Kokopelli Hostel. Aguas Calientes: New Day Machu Picchu. 6 nights at $70 a night. +/- $500
    Now you're all paid and booked (except bus tickets up to Machu Picchu).

    Transportation + Food + Lodging + Bullshit for me was = $1,800 give or take.


    Couple side notes:

    Lima:

    When you are checking in for a 1 way flight, you also need to have proof of a return flight. I printed off confirmations for everything and kept them in a folder. It came in very handy. Hold on to your immigration card. Peru, in general, checks your card and passport often. I've never been a "back-packer" but this is a good trip to do it on (as oppose to the normal luggage we carry).

    IMO Lima is about 90% shit. The area known as Miraflores near Ibis Hotel (near the Ocean) is awesome. The downtown Plaza/Cathederal area is cool to visit. Leaving the airport is sketchy and taxi drivers are dicks. Just use common sense. Uber is available. Great meal at Edo Sushi. Try Peruvian trout.

    Cusco:

    Incredible town (cooler than lima imo) but altitude sickness is real. It sent my ass to bed. It's like being hungover. You can get a prescription drug called Diamox or do what I did: I used dramamine, ibuprofen, water, and coca leaves (they'll have) constantly. I moved very slowly. In the main plaza there is a Peru Rail office that you can print your train tickets at. Make sure you have the exact credit card with you. You will have to take a taxi from Hostel to Poroy Train Station when it comes time for that.

    You can also reserve a 9 am (3 hours) zip-line deal for the morning of September 4, 2017 here http://www.cuscozipline.com/en. Dinner: Fallen Angel and Uchu. Try Alpaca meat.

    *You will see that some people decide to take a taxi from Cusco to a much further train station (Ollantaytambo). This saves time I guess because the taxi is quicker. I just kept it simple and took a quick taxi to the closest train station. The train ride is 3.5 hours. Great views though.

    Aguas Calientes:

    This odd town (really just one street) is essentially an out of control train station. There are no taxi's. You have to walk to your hostel. You have to sleep here because you want to jump on the Machu Picchu bus at about 5 am to go to the Mountain. Do not sleep in. The morning crew is great. You get to almost discover the mountain with about 100 others, oppose to 1,000. The bus tickets need to get purchased at the little bus office the day before you want to get on the bus.

    Machu Picchu:

    As it turns out, MP is lower altitude than Cusco (but you'll still get easily tired walking around). The bus from Aguas will take you up to the MP gate. You will get off bus and then wait in line. The park opens and you walk a short trail to the ruins. They pop up out of no where. It's very euphoric. Best views ever. I suggest having a digital camera for this trip (and a watch) and not using cell phone. While on MP you can wear a backpack. All you will really need is some water. The tour guides on MP seemed unnecessary. Do a bunch of reading prior to the trip.
     
    #6051 941Gator, Sep 11, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2016
  2. harvey birdman

    harvey birdman Ha ha! Last laugh.
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    New Zealand trip awesome. Stayyed a day in Auckland, a couple in Wellington, and circled the whole South Island. Went with a tour group though of 19 other random people 33 years old and younger. which may not be everyone's cup of tea. Seemed an easy enough place to drive around though if you don't mind. I found the food to be nothing special. Plenty of adventure type stuff to do. Also learned how to ski.
     
  3. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
    Staff Donor
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    I went to your restaurant but it was closed until 7 pm or so. I guess they take a lunch-dinner break. I ended up at an awesome sushi place instead. Everything you said was spot on. Altitude did hit me. MP is legit. Hard to articulate its beauty.

    It's the type of thing you feel guilty seeing without family and friends there with you as well.
     
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  4. FriendsofJtyler

    FriendsofJtyler I strenuously object
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    Did you do Queenstown? We are going to do 4 days there in November.
     
  5. harvey birdman

    harvey birdman Ha ha! Last laugh.
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    Yeah. Was there for about 3 days. Stayed at the Nomads hostel. Due to the ridiculous line I don't recommend fergburger unless you don't mind waiting an hour. Devil Burger is a more than acceptable substitute. A lot of people enjoyed doing the canyon swing/canyon fox. Jetboating is fine and since it will be spring it should be warmer. If you want to ski, u thought the prices were pretty good but the more experienced skiers weren't as impressed since the snow doesn't go all the way down the mountain.
     
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  6. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    941Gator great post. you deserve all the likes. bookmarking for later.
     
  7. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    I remember lurking and not wanting to ask too many questions on here, so I figured I would go the extra mile for at least one person. If you follow that plan, you'll get there, and you won't regret it ha.
     
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  8. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Did you ever consider doing one of the multiple day hikes to MP?
     
  9. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Yeah. Looked cool but it required money, gear, and time. I did a hike one day at some ruins. Did zip line. Also managed to get tired just walking in altitude in general.
     
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  10. 941Gator

    941Gator TMB's resident beach bum
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    Beach bum, guys.
     
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  11. daddy fat sacks

    daddy fat sacks shoulda bought an ounce but you copped a dub
    Florida State Seminoles

    I trim pot in Cali as my profession which allows me mid January til mid July to travel. Last year I did Nola for the 6 months, this year I'm thinking about central/South America.

    im torn between seeing it all or hunkering down in some beach town where rent is cheap and there's a possibility to do some part time work while I'm there.

    I realistically want to spend about $10k when all is said and done for the five or six months I'd be traveling or posted up.

    I'll have been living in a tent in the cold woods for 5 months by the time I leave so I'm thinking something a little nicer when it comes to accommodations if I were to stay somewhere.

    Any and all advice is more than appreciated.

    Fwiw, I have a fairly decent foundation in Spanish and need immersion to become fluent.
     
  12. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    I'm living in Buenos Aires right now and could probably answer some questions. 10k may tough, depends on where you go
     
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  13. southside

    southside Well-Known Member
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    Going to book a flight to South Africa tomorrow for 10-12 days for mid October. May squeeze in Namibia too. Someone give me the number of days to allocate to Cape Town/JBurg and wherever you go in Namibia.
     
  14. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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  15. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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  16. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    I know 941Gator had limited time, but the hike through the Andes was pretty damn amazing. Knowing your situation, get to Cusco and price a trip from there since you have time. Cant recommend the Salkantay trek enough

    There are a million companies in the city plaza.

    Cusco is one of the top cities I've ever been to, it's incredible. Did you make it up to Sacsayhuaman while there? Or get to go out any nights to Mama Africa?
     
  17. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Seattle is so badass
     

    Attached Files:

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  18. Goose

    Goose Hi
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    I went there in August for the first time. I think I stood in those exact same two spots.
     
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  19. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    Yea I would but my uncles are discussing doing it with me too. I'd lean Salkantray right now too. It won't be for a while so I have some time I was just curious.
     
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  20. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    You can spend the entire time in Cape Town and the surrounding areas.

    Let me find my trip....
     
  21. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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  22. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    Southside, look up The Test Kitchen and try to make a resi now.
     
  23. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    See a lot of those posted by the bigger guys with credit to him
     
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  24. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    I had a buddy who spent 2 years traveling around the world, and ended up hunkering down for about 6 months at a little beach town in northern Peru. I can't tell you what it was called, but seems like that area has some amazing little places that might be just what you are looking for. Being in a big city would probably be tough on the budget you want to keep to. I'll see if I can see where he was.
     
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  25. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    How was the church rave? Get home about 7 am?
     
  26. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    Met an Israeli girl on the ferry back from Bainbridge island yesterday, she had just finished her 2 years of required military service and was traveling around the US. Oh my.

    She kicked my ass. In a good way.
     
  27. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    I made a post about it but it was mid migration and got lost I think. It was badass.bwe left around 5 cause the one girl with us was sober for some odd reason. Let's just say a guy I know, we'll call him Room 16, tried LSD for the first time.

    What a ride.
     
  28. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Oh you got lucky that didn't ruin your life lol
     
  29. southside

    southside Well-Known Member
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    Nice. I'm going solo so I can move quickly. My buddy recommended 2 days near Joburg for safaris, 2 days in Namibia, 6 days in Cape Town.
     
  30. Where Eagles Dare

    Where Eagles Dare The Specialist Show On Earth
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    No clue what you'd do in Namibia.

    Yeah, I'd try to get to Kruger for multiple real legit Safari rides. Think it's a few hours drive from there.
     
  31. Nug

    Nug MexicanNug
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    So was finally able to get my global entry appointment for 6:15 in New Orleans today when my flights lands from Seattle at 5:50. Thought it'd work out perfectly.

    Flight lands on time, show up at the center at 6, and the lobby is full of people. Turns out they're running 2 1/2 hours behind, but need everyone to wait for them to call you in.

    Fucking government efficiency at it's finest. I'm never going to get this fucking interview done
     
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  32. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    anyone use Delta Comfort+ or whatever before?

    popped for it on a 6 hour flight as I'm tall so extra space, even if its a little will be worth for the not bad price

    also, unlimited liquor drinks? that almost seemed too good to be true
     
  33. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    If it's a long enough flight I'll pay it. Works out well with the drinking. Early boarding is nice too if it's a route where everyone has a carry on
     
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  34. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    going Charleston to PDX with stop in Atlanta
     
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  35. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    That first flight is like 45 minutes but that 50 extra bucks or whatever on the 5.5 hours to pdx is worth it for you absolutely
     
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  36. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    When you going to Charleston?
     
  37. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    decided last week to do a multi-stop hit to visit my family and the wifes. first to KC, then like Wednesday before Christmas we're flying in to Charleston then down to Bluffton to see MIL
     
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  38. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    didn't realize this but it seems like Chase treats points from Freedom and Sapphire differently. I have separate buckets in their travel portal. Freedom are only worth 1x while Sapphire are worth 1.5x

    Can anyone else confirm?
     
  39. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    freedom 1
    sapphire pref 1.2
    sapphire reserve 1.5
     
  40. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    You just move them over to the reserve card
     
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  41. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    Did it once. They brought me one drink and never came back. I would feel too awkward ringing the call button to order more alcohol, so I just stayed thirsty.
     
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  42. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    good thing neither my wife or I have any shame

    drank two cocktails each on a 50 minute flight last year because our Southwest drink tickets were expiring before we'd fly again

    it was also 730am
     
  43. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    I've never been charged on southwest for drinks
     
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  44. Jimmy the Saint

    Jimmy the Saint The future is a benevolent black hole
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    Only time I did Comfort+ was going from Portland to Seattle. Extremely short flight, I believe the free drinks are only on ones over 2 hours or something. It was only $10 per ticket more, mostly just wanted to overheard space. Sure as hell would've had my fill of booze if I had paid more than that for it.
     
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  45. PJP3

    PJP3 Well-Known Member
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    My best effort was an hour flight from Palm Springs to San Francisco. Was the only one in first class and the flight attendant was awesome. Was able to put down 8 drinks from taxi to landing.
     
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  46. Lyrtch

    Lyrtch My second favorite meat is hamburger
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    Did she also carry you off the plane?
     
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  47. ohhaithur

    ohhaithur e-Batman
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    I might need to unsubscribe to this because it's making me miserable I'm missing so many deals.

    Over Christmas to Athens:

    Atlanta (ATL) - $649
    Boston (BOS) - $536
    Chicago (ORD) - $532
    Halifax (YHZ) - $478 USD
    Los Angeles (LAX) - $652
    Miami (MIA) - $646
    Montreal (YUL) - $491 USD
    New York City (NYC) - $619
    Ottawa (YOW) - $484 USD
    Quebec (YQB) - $522 USD
    Toronto (YYZ) - $553 USD
    Washington DC (IAD) - $536
    Winnipeg (YWG) - $582 USD
     
  48. Arkadin

    Arkadin inefficiently efficent and unclearly clear
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    Those are pretty standard imo
     
  49. FriendsofJtyler

    FriendsofJtyler I strenuously object
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    Has anyone used Fluenz for language learning? Suppose to be significantly better than Rosetta Stone.
     
  50. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
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    I haven't, but if you're just interested in messing around, I'd recommend giving Duolingo a shot. It's a free app so worth a shot.