Wes,

Alice and I did the Huayna Picchu hike. There were some challenging spots, for sure. But there are cables to hold on too. Other places that were not quite as challenging, not so steep and narrow, there were no cables. Through those spots, our guide helped me keep my balance by having me hold onto his arm. I think you've made the right decision to do the Sun Gate hike. Ken's brother and sister-in-law, who were in our group, did it instead of Huayna Picchu, and they thought it was awesome.

P.S. You get a great view of Huayna Picchu from the Sun Gate.

I can't say I'm sorry Ida brought you to a different idea, Wes, that video you linked seemed worse to me than I saw on Bill Weir's show
and didn't seem quite that bad. Especially the more narrow, steep steps; nonetheless, he was huffing and puffing mostly along the entire trek! I could very well have blocked worst parts from my brain. You two have fun and be ready to board the ship in good shape so I can finally meet you all!

Great news!!! Margaret Lynn will be Cruise Director on INCAS. She boards in Callao and will continue on until dry dock in Barcelona. Great cruise director and singer.

Marc, do you know who the captain will be?

No, I didn't ask.

Olivia, our Captain will be Aivo Palm, GM Michael Coghlin.

Absolutely concur with Marc/Arlene--Margaret Lynn will be wonderful--she was our CD for the Voygaer Grand voyage earlier this year from Auckland to HK--best CD we have experienced on either SS or Regent

Wes, George did the Huayna Picchu hike about 10 years ago with some Israeli military guys. It was pretty challenging for him then, and he would still try it today, but it is very narrow and steep in places. I was too chicken to tackle it, but did the Sun Gate trail and that was perfect. You do not need another broken nose.

I am finally getting really excited about this trip as we just got off the Voyager and we are both suffering from withdrawal. I don't see here what everyone finally decided about Machu Picchu tours. Did you all make your own arrangements or decide on the Regent tour? If the Regent tour, the deluxe tour or the "regular" tour? I am just wondering who we are going to get to share this memorable tour with. I am so looking forward to seeing all of you!

Arlene -
We, Dreyfus's and Jill are doing the Regent tour, the regular one. I wanted the deluxe, but got over ruled by Frank and Jack, so thus the regular one. Not happy about not getting anything to eat between lunch and getting back to the hotel, supposedly at 8:45 pm on the day of Machu Pichu, not to mention three 5:00 am wake up calls, 5:00 is NOT morning as far as I am concerned!! :
Have you gotten a cabin yet? Or an upgrade offer? See you soon.

Oh JoAnn, I am disappointed too, as would love to be with you but we are on the Deluxe tour. Guess we'll have to settle for seeing each other on board. I agree with you completely, 5 AM is the middle of the night for me!

For those who will be staying at the Montesario the evening of January 21st--we will be at the Belmond Palacios. We look forward to hopefully saying hello to any Incas this nite. We will have already spent two full days in MP but since we are not doing Regent's tour we felt it prudent to fly back to Lima on Jan 22nd. Safe travels all.

Has anyone on a GTY gotten a cabin assignment yet or and upgrade offer?

Ship is way oversold. So I highly doubt there will be any upgrade offers. I had someone on a wait list for ANY cabin category up to a Seven Seas Suite and nothing cleared. Guarantee cabins on a ship this full are assigned very late so would not expect any changes here until the last minute.

Since ship is "way oversold" have offers to jump ship started appearing or are they counting on last minute cancellations?

See everyone in a couple of weeks!!!!

Marc

I understand from BBC that the Pope will be in Lima same time we are there. Not worried, as we leave directly to Machu Picchu. Excited
for them, however! We’ll have a great time at Country Club Hotel!

Marc , see you at the airport in Atlanta on the 19th!

Olivia, the pope was also in Burma when we were there in November; see you in a few days!!!

Traffic is always bad but with Pope going to be a zoo. Good thing you are flying off to Machu Picchu.

Marc is the Pope following you around?

We received an upgrade offer today, declined--have good mid ship veranda.

Safe travels to Lima (and MP for some)!

I have a Machu Picchu pre-cruise question. Reading material on Regent website, I noticed it recommended carry-on only for flight to Cusco. Do you know if you can take full size fluids on internal Peruvian flights? Otherwise, don't know if it will be carryon only.

thanks,

Marc

I don't think any airline will allow full sized fluids. If they said they RECOMMEND that does not forbid you from checking a bag. If you must have fluids you must have fluids. I will shoot in an email telling them that this is necessary I do not forsee a problem

Yes some upgrade offers came in today but the ones I got no one changed cabins.

I wondered the same thing as they highly suggested sunscreen and insect repellent, which do not come that I know of, in travel sizes. Thus we don't have any to take with us. We did manage to get everything in a carryon, plus Frank has a nylon duffle we will put some things in, but to be honest I have some concern about leaving our main luggage in Lima when we go on Sunday morning, I like knowing where my luggage is.

Joann I leave luggage in hotels and airports all the time. To date had no problems at all. Sunscreen at this time of the year probably not necessary. Unfortunately the weather forecast looks rainy. Ralph and June are in Peru right now they took a week long trip and are loving it even thought the weather is not the best.

Even the bug stuff I really do not remember any bugs last time. Bug stuff is best in the individual packets. You just rip them open and there is a towlette to use. OFF with DEET I get them at sporting goods store. Easy to apply and light as a feather. I always carry them to Africa with me and I think I have never used them. But I am prepared. I just looked on line they have them at Walmart and Walgreens and probably a ton of other places. Here is a link to Walmart always a good thing to just keep in a suitcase so you always have them when you need them.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/OFF-Deep-Woods-Towelettes-20-count/16622239

Thanks Ngaire....will run over to Walmart today and get some of those, and of course that makes complete sense, should have thought of that myself. Thanks to for the reassurance about leaving the luggage and hopefully it will be in our cabin when we get there.

We are in 976; beautiful location with a shower instead of a tub; we are happy campers.

Marc

nice cabin Marc. We are in 772, Dreyfus's 779

Great; all of us in 265 sq ft. I will update the roll call.