Machu Picchu vs the Lost City: Which Culture Trek is Right for You?
Whether it’s following the course of Hadrian’s Wall or exploring further afield, culture treks hold a huge amount of appeal. As well as the physical challenge, they provide the opportunity to see and experience something incredible. Which is why trekking challenges like Machu Picchu and Colombia’s Lost City, La Ciudad Perdida, are so incredibly popular.
Providing you with an opportunity to glimpse an ancient culture, while taking in some of the most breath-taking scenery around, both of these treks offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But which one would be best for you?
Machu Picchu or the Lost City: Which is Right for You?
Trek Difficulty
Machu Picchu
Because it’s so popular, many people imagine the Machu Picchu trek to be a moderate stroll. But covering a distance of 26 miles, and reaching a height of 4,215 meters, it can be challenging. Altitude sickness can be a problem for some people, and the continuous uphill trajectory inevitably takes its toll on your thighs!
La Ciudad Perdida
Despite the fact that you will not ascend to any great altitude (just 900m above sea level), we classify the trek to the Lost City as challenging. This is because the route takes you straight through the heart of the Colombian rainforest. The terrain is uneven, the conditions are extremely humid, and to reach the Lost City, you will have to climb 1,200 steps. You won’t require any specialist equipment, but cardio and endurance training are a must. And if you’re not a fan of creepy-crawlies, this trek may be difficult for you.
Weather
Machu Picchu
The weather in Machu Picchu varies. In the early mornings, you may experience temperatures as low as 6°C, which will climb to a high of between 22°C and 30°C, depending upon the time of year that you are travelling. This can making packing tricky. May and June are usually the hottest months. January-March is usually the rainy season.
La Ciudad Perdida
Regardless of the time of year you visit, the weather at La Ciudad Perdida sits at an average of 25-26°C, with overnight lows of around 15°C. And humidity is typically around 90% – which isn’t pleasant, but actually isn’t that unusual in the British summertime. However, that does mean that when you’re trekking, you’re going to become pretty sweaty. And when the temperature falls, you’re going to feel it. Rain can also be a problem – as you’d expect in a rainforest!
Time
Machu Picchu
The complete time required for the Choose a Challenge Machu Picchu trek is nine days, including flights, airport transfers, and a day for exploration in the beautiful town of Cusco. Your trek, which will commence in Marcojasa, will take a total of six days.
La Ciudad Perdida
The total time required for the Choose a Challenge Lost City trek is eight days. This will include flights, transfers, orientation, and five full days trekking.
Popularity
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu has achieved iconic status. Consequently, a lot of people want to visit it. On average, around 1.5 million people make the Machu Picchu trek every year, so if you’re hoping to enjoy a quiet, spiritual experience, you may be disappointed. That’s not to say that Machu Picchu isn’t worth visiting – it very much is, and we’ve never known anyone regret taking on this most legendary of cultural trips. You just need to know what to expect.
La Ciudad Perdida
While the Lost City’s fame is growing, it is still far less well known than Machu Picchu. It is also a lot more difficult to access. So, these twin factors mean that La Ciudad Perdida attracts far fewer tourists – with the typical year seeing around 25,500 people making the trek.
Conclusion
The Lost City and Machu Picchu are incomparable. Although they are both relics of lost civilisations, you can’t really make parallels between the two because they are such different propositions. In terms of weather, trekking conditions, environment, and overall experience, they both have their pros and their cons. And while La Ciudad Perdida is irrefutably quieter, in many respects, Machu Picchu is easier. Ultimately, your decision will have to come down to which part of the world and which relic most appeals to you.
If you want to know more about any Choose a Challenge adventures, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team. We’re always happy to help.
