Scientists have discovered that insects can fly at altitudes of 14, 764 feet (4, 500 meters), true bugs, stoneflies, mayflies, and caddisflies at altitudes over 16, 404 feet (5, 000 meters), and flies and butterflies at altitudes over 19, 685 feet. The majority of insects survive high flying without severe injuries, with bumble bees at 18, 000 feet and a single termite at 19, 000 feet. Three main factors limit the altitude that winged insects can reach: air density, temperature, and oxygen availability.
Insects can fly at altitudes of up to 19, 000 feet due to their sensitivity to the Earth’s gravitational pull. At high elevation, insect wings have fewer air molecules to push against to keep their bodies in the air. Some insects have developed adaptations that give them unusual flight capabilities, such as some bumblebees that are incredibly well adapted to live particularly at high altitudes and forage in the mountains.
At high altitudes, insect flyers face the same challenges confronted by birds: low temperature, low oxygen, and low air density. Increased oxygen demand, which may characterize flight at high altitudes, can increase water loss in insects. As a result, the highest altitude scientists have ever found insects — some flies and butterflies — is around 6, 000 meters (20 meters).
Life at high altitude is a challenge, so researchers have found that moths can actually select wind currents and often end up traveling faster than many migrating birds. In conclusion, insects can fly at altitudes of up to 19, 000 feet due to factors such as air density, temperature, and oxygen availability.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| How High Can Insects Fly? | At high altitudes, insect flyers face the same challenges confronted by birds: “low temperature, low oxygen and low air density,” Dillon told … | livescience.com |
| How high can insects fly? : r/askscience | The Smithsonian said “Highest altitude — Some butterflies have been observed flying at altitudes up to 20,000 feet.” Upvote | reddit.com |
| How high can bugs fly? | If ground level air temperature is 70 degrees or so they can fly as high as 3,600 feet, that ceiling can reach 6,000 feet on days where ground … | quora.com |
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What Insect Lives At The Highest Altitude?
At regular intervals, researchers assessed the flight altitude of bumblebees, discovering they can hover at an air pressure equivalent to 9, 000 meters (29, 528 feet), surpassing Mount Everest’s height by over 100 meters (328 feet). The Alpine bumblebee, with its fuzzy exterior, exemplifies how insects can achieve remarkable altitudes, similarly to the highest-flying bird, the Rüppell's griffon vulture of Central Africa, which reaches about 11, 278 meters (37, 000 feet).
The altitude limits for flying insects are primarily dictated by air density, temperature, and oxygen availability, all influenced by Earth's gravitational pull diminishing at higher elevations. Bumblebees have been recorded at elevations above 18, 000 feet on Mount Everest, and some flies and butterflies have been observed at around 6, 000 meters (20, 000 feet). Dominant insect groups at high altitudes include Plecoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Collembola, often found near snow and ice.
In experiments, six male bumblebees taken from Sichuan, China, were individually placed in a flight chamber and had air slowly removed to test their altitude capabilities. However, the effects of altitude on their wingbeat mechanics remain largely unexamined. Insect flight at high elevations poses significant aerodynamic and physiological challenges, especially in terms of lift and power output. Over recent decades, specialist bristle flies have expanded their range at lower altitudes, while generalist species are more common at greater heights. With life being increasingly harsh at altitude, the limits of insect survival and flight capabilities continue to intrigue scientists. Bumblebees are notable residents of Mount Everest, residing up to 5, 600 meters (18, 000 feet) in altitude.
Why Do Flying Insects Get Cold At High Altitudes?
Flying insects encounter significant challenges at high altitudes due to their inability to regulate body temperatures independently from their surroundings. Cold temperatures can immobilize them for extended periods, affecting both their activity and access to resources like food and mates. Many insects typically remain at ecologically relevant altitudes, as being distant from vital resources proves disadvantageous. At high elevations, decreased oxygen and lowered temperatures complicate life for these organisms, yet some have adapted through physiological changes.
Insects have a different respiration system than humans; they breathe through a network of tubes that allow oxygen to diffuse through their bodies. As altitude increases, atmospheric density lowers, and flying insects often struggle to maintain mobility due to the reduced air resistance and oxygen levels. Research has shown that many species of winged insects are slowly migrating to higher elevations, although the exact impact on their flight dynamics remains under investigation.
Three primary factors restrict the altitudes that winged insects can effectively reach: air density, temperature, and oxygen availability, all of which are influenced by Earth's gravitational pull that weakens with elevation. Additionally, temperature declines with altitude can hinder thermoregulation, yet lower air density might also reduce heat loss through convection.
In summary, the altitude affects flying insects markedly, as cold temperatures, low oxygen availability, and decreased air density collectively challenge their ability to fly and adapt. As ongoing research continues to unravel the complexities of insect physiology at high altitudes, the interplay between environmental factors and insect survival remains a fascinating puzzle in the natural world.
Do Bugs Live In Mountains?
Mountains are habitats for a rich diversity of invertebrates, which are animals without backbones, including insects, spiders, and mollusks. A common myth suggests that insects cannot thrive at high altitudes. This assumption contrasts the experience in more humid regions like the East Coast and the southern U. S., where larger insects are found. However, numerous insects, including cicadas and dragonflies, adapt to mountain conditions, demonstrating their resilience.
Research on stream and lake-dwelling invertebrates helps scientists understand community dynamics in impaired habitats. Notably, the pronghorn—North America’s fastest land mammal—exemplifies adaptation to the mountainous environment, showcasing remarkable migration abilities across Wyoming.
Among vertebrates, only a few mammals and certain birds have fully adapted to high altitudes, but numerous insects thrive there, adjusting to the challenging weather and ecological conditions. The 2012 BioBlitz in Rocky Mountain National Park aimed to catalogue various species, adding to the park’s biodiversity records.
Despite the presence of larger predators in mountainous areas, the real concern for hikers is often smaller insects, which can be ubiquitous. Many insects colony in diverse habitats, from arid deserts to frigid mountain streams. Approximately 97% of insects reside on land, with species like bees and caterpillars spending their entire lives in terrestrial environments.
Insects remain active year-round, with some even overwintering below snow to endure harsh conditions. They congregate during warmer months for breeding before returning to lower altitudes. Moreover, some species, like grylloblattids, are critically endangered, with ten North American species residing in mountain regions. Overall, high-altitude ecosystems present unique challenges and opportunities for the insect world, demonstrating their ability to adapt and thrive amidst adversity.
Do Insects Survive High Flying?
Insects exhibit remarkable capabilities to fly at significant altitudes without sustaining serious injuries. Notably, bumble bees have been recorded at elevations of 18, 000 feet, while a solitary termite was found at 19, 000 feet. Common beliefs about high-flying objects often include airplanes and birds, yet numerous insect species like locusts, true bugs, stoneflies, mayflies, and caddisflies have been observed at heights exceeding 16, 404 feet.
The altitude that flying insects can achieve is generally limited by three critical factors: air density, temperature, and oxygen availability, all of which are affected by decreased Earth gravity at higher elevations.
While insects face challenges at high altitudes, many have adapted to thrive there. For instance, certain bumblebees possess specialized adaptations enabling them to soar at high elevations. Research has shown that migrating moths can choose favorable wind currents, demonstrating that insects can navigate their environment rather than being solely dependent on the wind.
Insects generally maintain a low terminal velocity, which mitigates the impact of potential falls, unlike heavier creatures, making them less susceptible to injury. With diminishing oxygen levels above 6, 000 feet, their survival can be compromised, yet their light mass allows them to endure these conditions better than larger animals. Despite the risks from environmental factors like heavy rain or freezing temperatures, insects display a notable resilience that allows many to successfully inhabit and navigate high altitudes. Overall, the intricate adaptations and behaviors of winged insects underscore their impressive abilities to conquer the skies.
Why Do Winged Insects Reach A Higher Altitude?
Winged insects face three primary altitude restrictions: air density, temperature, and oxygen availability, all of which relate to Earth's diminishing gravitational pull with elevation, causing air molecules to disperse. While the highest-flying bird, the Rüppell's griffon vulture, reaches significant heights, insects also demonstrate impressive altitude capabilities. Research indicates that many Sahelian insects partake in high-altitude windborne migrations, traversing hundreds of kilometers.
Notably, locusts have been observed at altitudes of 14, 764 feet (4, 500 m), with other insects like true bugs and stoneflies soaring over 16, 404 feet (5, 000 m). Insect flight at high altitudes poses challenges such as reduced oxygen, which impacts respiration, as explained by Dillon. Furthermore, as air density decreases, insects' wings require more effort to maintain flight. Despite this, various insects like flies possess the power to reach such heights, often aided by favorable winds that allow migration across islands and continents.
Research reveals their ability to hover and control altitude, contributing to their environmental adaptation. Additionally, ascending to higher altitudes may enhance mate location for some species. In conclusion, understanding how insects manage flight at such elevations includes recognizing the influence of abiotic factors, landscape characteristics, and their remarkable physiological adaptations, which help them navigate the challenges presented by soaring altitudes where reduced air density complicates movement.
Do Higher Floors Have Less Bugs?
Living in a higher-floor apartment generally results in fewer bug and pest issues. Insects have a harder time reaching upper levels, making penthouses less likely to be infested by pests. While it's still possible to encounter bugs in high-rise apartments, especially larger ones, the chances decrease with increased elevation. Many people, including my fiancée and I, have experienced fewer pests living on the top floor compared to mid or ground floors, where issues are more common. For instance, residents on lower floors often face pest control measures due to infestations.
The relationship between floor height and bug presence makes sense: the higher you are, the greater distance insects need to travel to invade your space. Nevertheless, while flying insects may diminish at higher levels, some crawling bugs can still be present, depending on the building’s management and surrounding environment. Survey findings confirm that fewer insect types thrive on higher floors, and larger rooms typically attract more bugs, particularly on the ground level.
Moreover, higher-floor apartments often provide increased privacy and security. Residents benefit from reduced noise from the street level, although they may experience more sounds from neighbors. Though pests can adapt to various environments, including upper floors, it remains relatively rare to deal with them compared to lower levels, where they are usually more prevalent. Ultimately, while higher floors present some pest-related advantages, management practices and the immediate environment also play significant roles in pest prevalence.
Can Spiders Live In High Altitude?
Euophrys omnisuperstes, the Himalayan jumping spider, is a small spider that inhabits extreme altitudes of up to 6, 700 meters (22, 000 feet) in the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. This remarkable species could be the highest-known permanent resident on Earth. The spider thrives in rocky terrain, preying on small insects, such as springtails and flies, that are carried upwards by winds. The name 'omnisuperstes' derives from Latin, meaning "standing above everything."
In addition to this spider, high-altitude environments host various invertebrates, such as tardigrades, which can endure extreme temperatures, radiation, and desiccation, even surviving in outer space under vacuum conditions. The Himalayan jumping spider has garnered scientific interest due to its survival strategies in harsh atmospheric conditions. Explorations led by Richard Hingston first identified this unique spider near Mount Everest.
Other species, including certain high-altitude mammals and insects, compete for the title of highest permanent inhabitants. Field mice (Phyllotis xanthopygus rupestris) and several ballooning spider species are also adapted to life at significant elevations, demonstrating similar survival tactics. Many such high-altitude spiders, which can measure no larger than a bottle cap and often reside in cloud forests, have evolved to thrive in rocky mountainous habitats.
Research continues on the ecological roles and adaptations of both spiders and insects in these high-altitude ecosystems, illustrating their resilience against the severe conditions associated with life at these elevations. Overall, the Himalayan jumping spider exemplifies the adaptations necessary for survival in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
What Creature Lives At The Highest Altitude?
High-altitude ecosystems support various organisms, including the Himalayan jumping spider (Euophrys omnisuperstes), which resides at 6, 700 meters above sea level, making it the highest-dwelling spider globally. Life in these extreme conditions, characterized by low oxygen and cold temperatures, poses significant challenges. However, many species exhibit remarkable adaptations that allow them to thrive despite these harsh environments, achieved through physiological changes rather than mere acclimatization.
Among the highest-dwelling mammals is the Yellow-Rumped Leaf-Eared Mouse (Phyllotis xanthopygus rupestris), documented on Llullaillaco, a 6, 739-meter volcano in the Andes. Other notable high-altitude residents include snow leopards, which inhabit elevations up to 5, 400 meters, and large-eared pikas found above 6, 000 meters in the Himalayas. Pikas, adapted to cold, often migrate to avoid overheating. Brown bears (Ursus arctos), along with various birds such as the alpine chough, also navigate these extreme environments.
The survival of these animals hinges on evolutionary adaptations, particularly the presence of haemoglobin in red blood cells, which effectively transports oxygen throughout their bodies. Other high-altitude inhabitants include yaks and various bird species, indicating a diverse range of life forms that have adapted to thrive in the world's most elevated regions.
Why Are Bugs Bigger In The Mountains?
Evolutionary forces may favor larger insect sizes at high altitudes, yet developmental constraints due to resource limitations may still result in smaller body sizes. Over four years, researchers observed the migration of 17 million insects through a narrow gap between two peaks in the Pyrenees, demonstrating that insects like atlas moths can reach impressive sizes but are still relatively smaller than their distant relatives.
A common myth suggests that insects do not inhabit higher altitudes; however, many species are adapting their elevational ranges in response to rapid climate change, affecting ecosystem dynamics. As climates shift in mountain ecosystems, new ecological interactions emerge from these migrations and range shifts.
Historically, higher oxygen levels allowed for the growth of giant insects, as seen in experiments with Drosophila flies reared under varying oxygen concentrations. Climate change poses significant risks to high-altitude insect communities, altering physiology and shifting spatial distributions. Although the diversity of low-elevation insect life is notable, high-altitude ecosystems host fewer insect orders, yet researchers are documenting vast numbers of migrating species, including pollinators, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance.
Additionally, water-dwelling insects in mountainous streams play crucial roles in their habitats. With increasing temperatures and habitat loss, insects are compelled to migrate to higher altitudes, crucial for their survival against changing conditions. Research highlights the abundance of insect life in tropical mountains, underscoring the importance of these organisms amid rising global temperatures and biodiversity pressures.
What Challenges Do Insect Flyers Face At High Altitudes?
At high altitudes, both insects and birds encounter significant challenges, including low temperatures, low oxygen levels, and low air density, as noted by Dillon in an email to Live Science. Insects, particularly because of their small size, struggle with temperature regulation and are often deposited in mountain ice fields by the wind, which constitute a considerable part of the diet of species like ice crawlers (grylloblattids). Although birds can generally fly at higher altitudes than insects, the unique aerodynamic and physiological demands of high-altitude flight present serious obstacles for both groups.
Specifically, the ability of insects to fly at high elevations is limited by three main factors: air density, oxygen availability, and temperature. As one ascends, Earth's gravitational pull weakens, which relates to the thinning air. Cold temperatures pose a significant risk to small insects, potentially incapacitating them. However, some organisms have adapted to live and fly at these challenging altitudes, negotiating environmental stresses. Furthermore, flying insects like bees and moths face particular challenges in oxygen availability, which can limit their activity.
Research indicates that species harnessing tropospheric winds can migrate over vast distances, essential for ecological balance and critical for food security and conservation, especially in regions like Africa.
Why Are There So Many Mosquitoes In The Mountains?
Mosquitoes and ticks are increasingly migrating to higher elevations and northern latitudes due to warming temperatures and changing climatic conditions. Research has shown that various species of mosquitoes can now survive in regions that were previously too cold for them, such as the highlands of South America and mountainous areas globally. They can withstand harsh weather conditions typical at high altitudes, including strong winds and heavy rain. Despite fewer insects being generally present in these cooler mountainous regions, some species are adapting to conditions, breeding in ponds and puddles created by enhanced rainfall.
Notably, rising global temperatures have increased the suitability of high elevations for mosquitoes, with climate change elevating the temperature range in which malaria-carrying species thrive. This migration raises concerns about the spread of diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika, as southern mosquito species relocate northward. The changing climate has led to warmer and wetter conditions, favoring mosquito populations that often emerge as temperatures reach around 15°C.
In recent years, notably in 2023, record-high temperatures and wetter seasons have resulted in unprecedented swarms of mosquitoes. As the planet's climate continues to shift, scientists agree that the geographic distribution of these vector insects is changing, leading to potential public health challenges in areas that are becoming newly hospitable to them. The phenomenon signifies a broader trend related to global warming that affects both the ecological landscape and human health.
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Wife and I visited Machu Picchu 15 years ago. Our tour started in Lima, a flight to Cusco where we stayed at a hotel for two nights. Our tour guide said this would make us acclimated to the altitude. He was right on! we arrived at Aguas Calientes for a two night stay. Next morning up early as the first group of visitors. Machu Picchu was a fantastic sight to see.We enjoyed the fact that the town was sparsely visited as we were the first bus up. We of course took many pictures and were able to explore the entire town. One thing they don’t tell you is “Don’t touch the llamas”, they have fleas…… Great trip!!
I visited Peru, including Machu Picchu, during early May of 2016. My experience was flawless and fabulous. No issues with bumpy roads. The train was great! Bus ride up the windy road to Machu Picchu wasn’t harrowing. There are plenty of similar steep, narrow, winding roads right here in the US. I spent the whole day exploring the “village in the clouds”, except that there were no clouds that day, just brilliant sunshine. The tourist presence wasn’t excessive and all were well behaved. I was, and still am, in awe of the ruins and the views. Magnificent. The next morning, our group members had the option of rising at a leisurely time or taking a dawn trip back up the mountain. I chose dawn in Machu Picchu. Fewer visitors that early. At times I had portions of the ruins to myself. Best trip ever.
I was fortunate to visit Machu Picchu in the 80s and there were very few people there. I jogged up the mountain avoiding the switchbacks by using shortcut paths that went straight up the mountain. These paths were used by the young vendors who would follow the bus up and down the mountain by using the short cuts and sell various products to the people on the buses at each switchback.
I did this climb at age 80. Yes, it was physically demanding, but certainly not impossible. The steps are tricky but there is no rush to the top or down again. We were there in early August, no rain, no fog, no mosquitoes. The bus ride after leaving the train was not that harrowing and nobody was frightened. The altitude is actually lower than in Cusco. Hopefully this article won’t dissuade anyone from not going to Machu Picchu. It is an amazing experience.
I went in 2003, and I wanted to say that we had no trouble with the altitude. Cuzco is much higher, and we had already become acclimated to the reduced oxygen long before getting to Machu Picchu, which is about the same height as the unimpressive mountains east of my home. What was impressive was seeing how much higher the surrounding Andes were from Machu Picchu.
I visited M’Pichu in 1991, stayed in Pisac and Ollantytambo and Aguas Calientes. I went up to MP in the site workers’ 7am bus. I was shown round by one of the site workers and I walked down to A’Calientes, before the crowds arrived. Spent the afternoon at the hot springs. Best travel experience of my life so far
wow memories! I was in Peru a few years ago. Machu Picchu is the most amazing place on the American continent! For me Peru is the most beautiful and diverse country in South America! I remember traveling through the mountains of Peru and then arriving at the Peruvian jungle to live the experience of ayahuasca, Peru is the country of origin, it was something important in my life. Thanks for the article.
The baths at Agua Calientes were awesome. Went in ‘96 and there was a group of kids throwing a beach ball. They stopped as soon as us foreigners entered. One of the guys in our group, took the ball, tossed it to a few of us, and then lobbed it back to the kids – they got the message and we all joined in. The experience was vastly different than catching the tourist train in – we’d hiked for four days to get there. It was mindblowing! Got to see so much more and were blessed to see condors! And once you get to see the city for the first time before reaching it? Well, I cried. It was overwhelming. Well worth the sore knees and tiredness,
I was there 11 days in 2022 our initial trip held up two years due to COVID. We hiked the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu. Hiked and camped 42 miles and across a pass at 15k ft. It was challenging but a trip of a lifetime. We went at the end of April. No rain, not a lot of mosquitoes. If you get a chance to go, GO!
MP is such an experience, I recommend 2 days if possible. On day 1 I left Cusco by train at 7 am (why drive for 2 hours to board train??) and got to Aqua Calientes around 9. Met tour guide and spent entire day at MP. Checked into hotel for night in AC and then arose before dawn on day 2 for first bus up to MP. I had ticket for early admittance to Huayna Picchu and hiked to top. Now THAT is unforgettable!!! I don’t understand why folks try to cram to/from and visit MP all in one day. Slow down folks and see the scenery.
Been there done that. Took bus from Cusco halfway and took train out and all the way back to Cusco – unforgettable journey. Our guide (Sergio) asked me what tribe I was from and told him I was Navajo and he knew all about the Navajo Code Talkers and request I speak Navajo and he was taken aback when I knew how to speak Navajo and he about did cartwheels when he heard me speak it.
I feel so good for you that the cloud gods lift the fog for you and your friend to enjoy the majestic of one of the wonders of the world…. it’s quite impressive, was there like 20 years ago… and planning to bring along my mexican wife to know this beauty… Greetings from California. … great article.
I stayed in Aguas Calientes overnight and took the second bus up to MP in the morning. It was summer and the early morning fog burned off for magnificent views from about 10 am onwards. The place wasn’t crowded in the early morning. I booked Huayna Picchu awhile before and climbed up with fhe first cohort. The afternoon was relaxed and gorgeous. I then descended and caught a late afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. Visited it the next day and those stone terraces where the indigenous peoples fought the Spaniards were amazing. Then I took an afternoon train to Cuzco for a flight to Lima. I would highly recommend doing it this way. It is more relaxed than your schedule. And it minimizes the time at super high altitude in Cuzco. I get altitude sickness.
Best to make a 5 day or so trip through the Sacred Valley from Cusco to Aqua Calientes. Since a day trip to Machu Picchu is limited 4 hours a day, it is best to stay overnight in Aqua Calientes and do Machu Picchu 2 days in a row. Lovely village with plenty of restaurants and guided nature walks. Visited during Feb and March and did not have a problem with rain or fog.
I went in 2013, also a rainy day but that did nothing to dampen the experience. We stayed two nights in Aguascalientes overnight so it wasn’t too stressful. Nice Hostel with great hosts. This made the experience a lot more peaceful. You can go in the springs which we did and also get an Inca massage. That was wonderful. The 500 Inca steps on Machu Picchu were hard on me then as I had bad arthritis and needed help from my son in law and daughter who grabbed me one on each side. So practice your steps before heading there. Greatest experience for sure. They offer you coca tea so take advantage of that. I do not recommend for kids to go. Heard many stories of them getting altitude sickness. Also it’s easy to slip and fall up there. I was wondering just how many people fall to their death up there and they don’t report that. You never know. Great place though for sure.
Were in Lima, Peru in Jan. 2023 on a cruise. Excursions to Macchu Picchu were cancelled as about 4 days prior the locals started to block the trains and trails going and coming. People were being helicoptered down. Lima was also lined with police and military. After leaving there were demonstrations in the Lima but we did not hear of any violence.
Your timing was definitely wrong. You never come to M.P. During the rainy season(end of the year). Was thereBeen there a few times myself with small tourist groups. Th e Ruins are magnificent and if you are adventurer you can walk down the Terraces to an area where you can see the Urubamba Town at the distance. I wish I was there again. BTW, the walk to Huayna Picchu is terrifying but a experience of a life time. Glad to see your article & sorry for the negatives of the trip.
They should have stayed home and watched a Rick Steves travel show on their lazyboy recliners. Never heard so much complaining. I climbed the Inca Trail in 2008, camped on the mountain, and watched the sunrise over Machu Picchu with one lone flutist playing an ode to the rising sun. So unforgettably gorgeous!
I loved it there – went in 2018. Hiked up Machu Mountains (talk about a lot of stairs!) too. Even with the people it was an amazing experience. I’d suggest acclimating to the altitude in Cusco for a few days before going to Machu Picchu – since MP is a lower altitude you shouldn’t have much of an issue.
The best way to visit Machu Picchu is to hike in over the Inca Trail, normally a 4 day hike, but we did in 3 days. It goes over a pass around 4300m. We camped above the clouds and on the last day descend down to Machu Picchu ideally to reach the Sun Gate for the “money” photo shot before the rabble arrive by bus, complaining how hard the bus ride up was. One can then take the bus down or walk and relax in the “Hot Springs” below before hopping on the train back. I believe the numbers allowed on the Inca Trail is now restricted and alternate trails provided.
We toured Cuzco and MP last week. We also climbed the higher mountain, Huayna Picchu that looms over MP. We are seniors, but in good shape. The article doesn’t mention that there are 4 or 5 levels available to obtain the iconic picture of the ruins. It’s not that hard, but yes, weather can cause the shot to be hard to get. The climb up and down Huayna Picchu is difficult, but you can take your time and rest as much as needed. MP is remote and time consuming to get to. If you come, bring lots of patience and tolerance. Don’t come if you do not choose to visit a developing country. I recommend using a well researched tour group. It was an awe inspiring lifetime experience for me.
We did the Inka Trail 20 years ago and it was one of the best hiking trips I had taken in my life. Our tour guide, porters were great and they cooked delicious food. I will never forget hiking through the countryside of Cusco….just flying into the airport was beautiful. We love d the restaurants of downtown Cusco.
After going to Macchu Pichu 5 times, you learn to immediately leave Cusco day 1, and stay in Urubamba, stay 1 day there to acclimate to the altitude, then you’re only 10min from the train. Only after visiting Macchu Pichu do you then stay in Cusco, and the altitude will not bother you, or very little.
This is my dream vacation I am now 64 and the last 5 years I have been saying I want my grandchildren to go and I was just actually ready to make plans in 2 years because they will be 8 and 11 but after perusal this I am calling my travel agent to see how soon is the best time to go in the next year so I have the time to prepare starting today! I was getting upset about your reporting but I am so appreciative that you showed it like you did because I’m finally doing this and I will be prepared I have been asking others but now I’m just thinking my hubby and I. Because I want to make sure we have time to make this trip enjoyable and stress free as possible. Thank you!!!
We loved our trip, we spent 2 days in Cuzco, 2 days in base camp. It was very exciting and the people were wonderful. Have some beautiful pictures to remind us every day of a magical trip. The clouds parting to reveal the city in the sky was breathtaking. The food was good. Our tour guide was very informative. Our trip included planes, vans, trains, busses and lots of walking. 🎉
I went to Tarapoto, Peru. Didn’t get to Machu Picchu however I did talk with a lady on the way back that had gone. She said she glad she went but would not go again. I know while in Tarapoto the food was absolutely divine everywhere we went. Super fresh & tasty that alone had me thinking I could live there.
We took a helicopter from Cusco Airport to the base village and then a van ride up to the top. Took the train back for the full experience. And didn’t have to leave at 4am. The kicker, we had Manchu Picchu to ourselves for hours! Then the train with tourists arrived with the day tourists. Only way to go!
Another thing that people won’t tell you about Machu Picchu is to stay overnight in Aguas Caliente on the day of your visit, because 99% of of the tourists are going to leave with the afternoon trains, and if you remain at the site after they leave, you’ll find that you have nearly the entire site to yourself. When my wife and I visited with our daughter, we had a room in Aguas Caliente and we stayed after the other tourists left, so we shared Machu Picchu with perhaps 20 other people scattered across the entire area. (To be fair, we visited in 2009 and some of the attendance rules may have changed since then, so – always check the rules before going.)
The mountainous terrain you see on the train ride from Cuzco to Manchu Picchu gives one the impression that you are climbing to a higher altitude when in reality if you look at the rivers in the ravines adjacent to the railway tracks they are all flowing downhill in the direction toward your destination.
I went there about 10 years ago. The one thing that I found was wearing line less bifocals (~65 years old then) that the stairs are scary when going down them. Up them wasn’t too bad but still scary enough. They’re individually different heights and depths of tread. Going down I spent most of my time on my bum one step at a time! It was very very enjoyable to be there and see it all‼️
We visited in early 2020, one of the last groups allowed before the COVID shutdown that “captured” our escort’s next group in Cusco for a month. This article’s hosts misrepresent the issue of altitude. Cusco is high – 11,000′ to 12,600′ while visiting the city and the archeological sites that overlook it. But, Machu Picchu is only 7,600′, and Aguas Calientes is just 6,400′. We were in our early 70s and got most of our exercise from walking tours during travel – so, not really “fit.” Yet, we had no trouble coming from our sea-level home to Peru and these elevations. We had a similar weather experience as the article but fewer people. Peru is getting more protective of this treasure – go as soon as you can as demand grows but capacity is more restricted. It is a wonder.
I just came across your website, attracted by the article title. I was really curious about the “untold pieces of information you are never reported on” while planning a tour therein, but I am glad your ultimately overall conclusion is that such a trip will change the life of yours forever, as it is definitely true. As a matter of fact, you should know that Machu Picchu is a wonder in permanent risk of deterioration precisely because of the thousands of people trying to reach it in a single day so that Peruvian authorities’ main duty is to preserve it at all costs not only for us, as proud Peruvian lovers of our history and natural treasures, but also for the entire Globe. I bet you will be coming back sooner or later or recommending your people to include it in their bucket lists as a must for their lifetime experiences.
Machu Picchu, una de las maravillas del mundo moderno, es un destino fascinante que atrae a miles de visitantes cada año. Es crucial recordar la importancia de un turismo sostenible y respetuoso con el entorno natural y cultural de Machu Picchu. El cuidado del sitio arqueológico, el respeto a las normas y regulaciones, y el apoyo a las comunidades locales son aspectos esenciales para preservar este tesoro histórico para las futuras generaciones.
When I went there I met a girl on the trail to Aguas Calientes. We spent the night together and set out while it was still dark. We climbed the mountain in the dark which was, as you can imagine, a very slow and careful endeavor. We were the first people in that day and it allowed us to see it at sunrise with absolutely nobody else there for a couple minutes. It was a perfect day, too. I actually kept my head down after going in until I knew I’d have a great view of the whole thing and when I looked up I fell over from the instant vertigo and started laughing. It’s breathtaking. We met a few people there who were tripping on mescaline. I can’t even imagine what their experience was like.
This is a great article !! Thank you !! I have a question I hope I can find an answer for: Obviously wanting to pack as light as possible. I see folks wearing heavy warm jackets and others in T shirts and shorts all in the same place. What is the temperature like ??? It’s confusing. Am I going to be hot or cold ? ( talking about the day time, and in late March).
“Altitude Sickness” can be a serious thing for many people. If you are overweight or have pre-existing health conditions, it could affect you. People should know that. One member of our tour group in 2003 ended up in the hospital with cardio-pulmonary complications. She could not return with the group on our scheduled flight. Shortly after arriving in Cuzco, I thankfully learned the medicinal benefits of the local tea. It relieved the terrible headache I had & made it possible for me to enjoy the rest of my stay in Cuzco. Still, walking around Machu Picchu, being overweight, I lagged behind our tour group, having to stop several times to catch my breath due to the altitude. We also visited Wina (sp?) Picchu. Such an incredibly beautiful, spiritual & literally breath-taking experience to be walking around high above some of the clouds, & in the midst of others. I’m too old to return now, although I’d love to. So very glad I had this life-changing experience! I cherish the wonderful people of Peru that we met & the memories.
You should have stayed the night in Ollantaytambo for the evening and then taken the train the next day. It is much more relaxing than trying to cram it all into one day. I spent the evening there and then two full days in Machu Picchu. I caught the early bus up the mountain on the second day because I had a ticket to climb Wayna Picchu, which is the traingular shaped mountain that looks down on Machu Picchu. It was physically demanding but worth every step. I think so many people make the mistake of trying to fit Machu Picchu into a short time frame. I had the run of the place in the late afternoon because so many of the visitors leave by early afternoon to catch the outbound train. For those who might be going, give yourself a day and a half at least. It’s not every day that you get to marvel at an ancient city in the clouds. As for elevation, if you have been in Cuzco then the altitude at Macchu Picchu will be no issue as it is about 3000′ lower. It’s still 7900′ but not nearly as high as other locations in Peru. Oh, and remember, bottled water, no ice, and no uncooked vegetables including lettuce on hamburgers. Don’t ask me how I know.
I went to Peru in 2022. I wasn’t expecting to go to Machu Picchu because everyone told me I needed tickets with a weeks in advance. In the taxi to the hotel the taxist asked me if I was going to Machu Picchu and I replied what I just said. He asked me, do you want to go. He organized everything, to Machu Picchu and another one to lake Titicaca. The unexpected things in life sometimes are the best. Can unexpected things happen? Sure, the train broke and we were stranded for 2 hours. I made friends with a group of Mexicans and an Argentinian lady. One of my mottos is, if life gives you lemons, ask for salt and tequila.😅
Magnificent! Spectacular! Wow! Reminds me of my trip to Darjeeling, India, in the Himalayan foothills. A ride in a Jeep stuffed full of humans, up narrow roads that switchback for hours like on this great article, with no guardrails and drops of thousands of feet off the edge! I’m not scared of heights nor am I easily frightened, but this was one of the scariest trips I’ve ever taken! In Darjeeling there’s a stunning view of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the 3rd tallest mountain in the world. However, as in this article, the beautiful mountain was usually hidden by clouds since Darjeeling is actually in the clouds! I did get 1 or 2 spectacular glimpses during our week there, and in Gangtok.
I had the blessing of going nine years ago with my uncle who has been a missionary in Peru since 1960. He s now 90 and wanting to go back one more time. But as he tells the story in 1960 when he first went up there it was inhabited by European hippies. They were living in the buildings and had covered them with what ever they could find. It wasn’t long after that when the Peruvian government saw the $$$ signs and cleared it out and opened up the trap and began to uncover and rebuild the mountain city.
Good grief. When did people become so delicate that mosquitoes, stairs, fog, and potholes have become something that they feel they have to warn each other about? Getting up at 4am, dealing with potholes and steps and fog and mosquitoes are all something that a good majority of us do right here at home. On any trip you take anywhere, inclusive of within the U.S., things are going to come up that you didn’t consider. None of the complaints brought up in this article were in the least bit noteworthy and none of it is information that is being withheld from visitors. I visited Machu Picchu twice, once in 1968 and once in 1974 when my family lived in Peru. All roads across the country were dirt, no air or heat on any form of transportation so windows were down causing road dust to permeate the interiors of the vehicles. Travel took significantly longer and transportation (buses, trains, taxis, trucks) were of a condition that we would call “beaters” here in the U.S. On the first trip to Machu Picchu our overnight train had non-functional, overflowing toilets and as no one had any alternatives we had to squat and do our business on the urine and stool saturated floor while trying to prevent ourselves from falling into it. In the second trip, also overnight, we had no sleeping car and spent the entire night, in addition to the daytime, trying to sleep upright on plywood benches that had no cushions. There were no bathrooms to access at stops, if you had to do your business you had to find somewhere outside to squat, no tourist restaurants or locals dancing us to our trains, lol.
I was there in 1999 during the rail worker strike, that same train you took was reduced to one every two or three days and it was super crowded as everybody wanted in or they had to wait another couple of days for the next one so they could sell their produce to the market in Cusco. As for tourists, it wasn’t that bad back then traveling to Peru from Canada was quite expensive so that must have been the reason. Planning on driving back there next year.
I visited M.P. in 1984. From Cusco we took a train to somewhere near M.P. that was not Agua Calientes. From there we took another train with two locomotives facing opposite directions up to M.P. that negotiated the switchbacks. I broke from our tour grooup immediately and climbed the smaller mountain (Huana Picho) in the back of all those photos and took pictures showing the entire M.P. and the switchback road leading up to it. Halfway up to the top was a young lady selling oranges!
Haha, this brings back good memories of my Peru trip in early 2022. If you want an adventure, go to Peru. It was still COVID times so that was an added dimension. The adventure started on our flight into Cusco from Lima, one of the scariest I have ever been on – it’s normal. Let’s just say you come in through and beside the Andes and they tend to whip up a bit of turbulence while you are very close to the mountain peaks. Go arounds are normal and we had a good one. After that you have to adjust to the climb from sea level to 3400 meters – tyat takes a couple of days but Cusco is a cool place to do it in – I loved it! Then the bus to the train station and the train to Aguas Calientes (you’re not there yet!). I stayed in Aguas Calientes because a friend who had done the trip highly recommended it and she was right – delightful little town with friendly people, spectacular scenery, great accomodation choices and tons of great restaurants, what a pleasant surprise. The next day I took the bus up to Machu Picchu and lets just say, sit on the inside if you are afraid of dropoffs!! The road is one lane and buses meet at pulloffs. On the other side of the pulloffs are massive dropoffs all the way to the top.There was a bad accident last year and people died so if its a rainy day, maybe take a pass if you can. Machu Picchu itself was spectacular and had only just reopened so there weren’t that many people which was great!Anyways, that night I stayed over in Aguas Caliente and it poured rain.
I was lucky to be able to visit with my late partner. Peruvian people were great. Felt no threats, just be wary. Daft people in “their Sunday best” even climbing the peak, very odd. Go in, past the ticket office, then the first footpath on the left, zig zags up to bring you out at that magical view. Yes, tiring, but take it steady. Hopefully your use of coca leaf tea for several days prior to this will ward off any altitude sickness.
Try doing this trip when you’ve been up half the night throwing up and suffering from diarrhea! I had pills that helped to stop the diarrhea, but my stomach wouldn’t settle down. Somehow, I didn’t throw up on the train or that crazy bus ride up the mountain, but I threw up as soon as I got off the bus at the top. I threw up a few more times hiking up the giant stairs. Good thing I only had water inside me. After wandering around a bit, my tour guide found a lookout point for me, with a bench and shade. He left me to rejoin the rest of the group. I promptly fell asleep. I did wake up eventually and enjoyed the incredible views. No, I didn’t have altitude sickness. I live at an elevation of 6000 feet in Colorado and made a point of hiking at up to 12,000 feet before taking this trip.
I like the part of the article at the end where you say it’s been a great day and you look like you’re going to pass out from exhaustion and you look half asleep to me most of my great days I do not look like that or feel like that I like to be awakened in the moment when I travel thousands of miles from my home to see something😮
Went in the early 90’s when I was in great shape. We hiked our way up taking 4 days, since we side tracked a few times.. Let me tell you, I will never regret it looking back, but the heat, the rain and the bugs were torture. It is amazing to see for sure and you better have good lungs. Buy some good light hiking pants and long sleeve shirt is my best advise.
OMG! I would never have gone out their during those protests. I forgot about the early awakening to Machu Picchu and thinking that same thing, that I would catch a nap (on that harrowing road trip (haha!)) . I was very fortunate when I went there, that we had no trouble seeing the mountain AND I don’t think I got ANY mosquito bites! However, I am usually mosquito bait, so I never wore shorts or short sleeves, even in the jungle when it was hot. I covered up with the best breathable, cooling material I could find. I did get paranoid one night when we were out along the Amazon River (on Ayahuasca) and I started hearing mosquitoes buzzing around my face! It’s the night time mosquitoes that spread malaria. I’m so glad I went when I was still in my 40’s. I would never be able to do some of the things I did when I was there….the trip of a lifetime. It DOES change you forever. How great for that young group of hikers who were in shape enough to take that grueling hike! I didn’t do that, but I got plenty of exercise.
I am in Peru right now (10/1/23), and none of the political stuff is going on. I am a solo American female here for a month (it’s been 2 weeks so far) and I have felt safe the whole time. Fell completely in love with Aguas Calientes. Machu Picchu was breathtaking, I was literally moved to tears seeing it and it was a beautiful blue partly cloudy sky, but I actually love the clouds and find the imagery with low clouds to be stunning… you were lucky to get both!!! 🤬 the insects, I haven’t dealt with any mosquitoes, but I have killed one giant centipede and one scorpion, both indoors not out, at my beautiful air bnb in the mountains of Calca. The experience is worth any discomfort… it truly is a life-changing experience!!
We were there in September of 2021 (few Americans due to the pandemic)… and at the time (on the train from Ollantaytambo) you had to wear a mask AND a face shield (that they sold). Only a few hundred people at Machu Picchu! Interestingly, in part because Peru was still a serious Covid hot-spot, you had to wear a mask OUTSIDE in the sanctuary… and if you didn’t someone would rush over to get you to put it back on (after a photo).
I visit MP during my second around-the-world trip. Came from Chile, where I had made a few trips up in the Andes and where I also was lucky enough to see the condors. Flew to Lima and then Cusco, and then on to MP. Yes sure, it’s amazing to see this old megalitic construction and I wasn’t bothered one bit by other people. I was a “tourist” myself. Got nice pictures, it was sunny and warm. Still, I think there are much more interesting places to visit in Peru. But it’s ok to visit MP
Other things people won’t tell you. Be like the locals, and chew coca leaves to help with the altitude. When in Cuzco purchase a bag in the San Pedro market. Also, as touristy is Augas Calientes is stay there the night before your trip up to MP. Take the first bus up to the top. Yes, it’s incredibly early, but so worth it. If there is is fog be patient, and meditate. The Apus will slowly reveal themselves to those that wait. Also note that it’s become more restrictive. There are only so many paths through the ruins now, and you can’t back track so take your time. Bathrooms are on the outside of the entrance, and cost a sole so bring coins, and plan accordingly. Just drinking water doesn’t cut the mustard so make sure you’re consuming electrolytes. Wear layers. Once the sun comes out it can be steamy!
That’s one benefit of joining the military, more specifically the AirForce because not only did I visit far off places just like this, I live on their economy; for years sometimes. Can you imagine paying 250$ a month to rent a 3 bedroom house with a Vinyard for a front yard and almost 300° view of the ocean. The real overseas experience involves living in the country in my opinion and I enjoyed every country I went to at the ripe old age of 20 to 30 years old. part of my stay was with my wife and kids, yes at one time two of my children learned Portuguese from the landlord that tended his fields. The kids were so close to him they called him grandpa. My wife had a maid, seamstress, and we had a gardener and at the time I had only 4 strips, I wasn’t very high up in rank yet, but could easily afford these awesome amenities. Driving to work on cobblestone Streets, coffee shops everywhere. We loved sending the girls out the front in the morning to the bread & fish truck just outside our house; nothing like fresh bead. But not everything is so wonderful, our house was made of stone and very cold in winter…no heating or AC. We could not drink the water and had to stock pile bottled water, close your mouth to take a shower and guess what…most places we lived did not accommodate English speaking, we had to learn the language to buy things and cary papers so we were legally in that country…umm. Nevertheless, the experience for me and my family was a life changing. As one of my children said as we finally made our way back to America, ” Now daddy we get to see what American culture is like ” Well turns out some of it not so different, as we have rolling blackouts in CA.
I know this is a weird thought, but it popped in my head as soon as you said bring plenty of water and stay hydrated on the hike. Ummm, do people just “hold it” all the way up and then back down? The hike, I could do, the “holding it” whilst staying hydrated all the way up and then back down, No, lol.
I was there in 2019 while traveling in southern Peru to Bolivia I got caught in a protest that blocked the road to the border to Bolivia. Booooy I had to literally be smuggled through the protest ducking in a cabbie. Then had to get on a motorbike and then walk. Mind you all this while solo traveling. I have a story of a lifetime. I love Machu Picchu, I loved Peru and Bolivia I wouldn’t change my experience for anything in the world 🌎
It’s like you didn’t know where Machu Pichu is located. You’re basically complaining about having to travel through rainy, mountainous terrain on barely there roads and walking tough trails. But the Incan Empire built this sacred town to be inaccessible on purpose. To me it sounds like you were more worried about getting shots for your blog instead of wrapping your mind sround the spiritual experience and wonder of the people who were able to build such a place centuries before the convenience of buses and trains. Its meant to be hidden in the clouds away from enemies as well as being a place worship for their people.
Indian ancient Temples are dedicated to ‘PachaiAmman’ as an incarnation of Parvathi – the wife of Shiva. PACHAI meaning Green and AMMAN meaning Mother Goddess. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati playfully closes Lord Shiva’s eyes and the Universe was enveloped in darkness. Parvati realises her grave mistake and comes down to Earth for atonement. She does austerities at many places on Earth and her body color changed to emerald green due to the power emitted during her penance. She finally goes back to her abode with Lord Shiva. Ref: PachaMama hill at MachuPicchu
I was there in the late 1980s and it was a world different back then. One of our group was executed by Maoist guerillas! We were warned not to go from Bolivia to Cuzco, but we did, and the place was empty. We bought tents and outdoor gear and using a selection of taxis, trucks, and walking, we made it to Ollantaytambo. This was the place where our Canadian buddy stayed an extra night but that was his mistake. Shining Path guerillas entered the village the next day, saw him as a spy, and shot him in the square, we found out this a week later. Meanwhile, we crossed the river and did The Inca Trail without seeing another human. We camped at Macchu Piccu and cooked our food at the sacred temple. Next day we walked down the zig-zag road to Aguas Calientes where there was one hostel with hot spring open, run by an Australian guy called Gringo Bill. There were no trains and it was a long walk along the rails back. Nowadays is much different eh?
At 1.06, I recall sitting on those steps with my daysack between my feet, enjoying a cigarette as I watched the girls go by. Somehow I sensed that a young man approaching from my right had his eyes on my bag. He made his grab and I luckily got his wrist in a really good grip. I extinguished my cigarette on the back of his hand. He made a lot of noise ! Did you get your passports stamped at the Machu Picchu ticket office ?
Never make yourself exhausted on a trip what’s the point of doing it so you can be half-asleep and remember it in a fog excellent travel tips this is one of them there’s always another way that’s just something tour agencies try and get you to do PS I will never take a tired an enjoyable vacation again where I go home exhausted how many times has it happened to you?
OMG: A phrase that changed my life ‘where’s your sense of adventure’ does not prevail in this article. First of all (pardon the propaganda) the protest that was taking place – across the street from the office of the Ministry of Culture – had to do with the government wanting to privitize Machu Picchu. Doesn’t help to presume. While you spend time acclimatizing to the altitude you can enjoy the poor mans Inca trail by visiting Pisac, Ollantaytambo and other splendid towns and villages from Cuzco to Ollantay. This fellow definitely is a bit green behind the ears for adventure. I’ve been to this area several times and the whole landscape around here captivates me every single inch. If you book a room in Ollayntay you can talk to a lot of people who will show you different methods to get to that world heritage site. You can also go for a hike of maybe 2 hours to an energy portal site off the Dog And Pony show Trail called Inglesia de Naupa. I meet single women around these parts that have a better sense of adventure than this Dog And Pony Guide.
Spanish or Hispanic pronunciation: #1, What you see is what you say. Multi-syllabic? Say one syllable at a time until you get the whole word. Keep the stress even until the penult. Stress it, but not like a bad earthquake. You can do most of it with this rule. Exceptions? These are easy; keep your ears listening. Adjusting. Watch for accent marks which will tell your eyes to tell your mouth to fix the sound-of-the-palabra. Pronouncing Spanish or Hispanic is blissfully easy. Just give it a little effort. “H” is always silent/some people pronounce it very, very lightly .
The family on the train back hiked an historic trail at high altitude for 4 days. If you have done the trek the attitude of these guys is obnoxious. The guides have mandatory education on their country’s history and very professional. The town of Aquas Calientes is lovely with very pleasant restaurants and hotels. The hot springs are very nice and practically a botanic garden. as touristy as it gets? Stay a night or two! Wasted a lot of time on early departure, pot holes and mosquitos. One thing they got right: my trek in 2015 at 62 years old changed my life.
Too much moaning in this article. Machupicchu is not like your Macd’s rubbish you ask and have it. It would have been heroic for you guys to walk up the hill from aguas calientes. Also it is common sense to the reason why you can’t go in with an umbrella…… Wear a poncho. Machupicchu is still a magical place whether it is sunny, rainy or snowy……at the end of the day it is “a special place” regardless…Take care bye
On the go? Here is a brief description: – Planes don’t fly over the Pacific Ocean because planes take the polar route because it is shorter and it is much speedier! Compared to travelling across the Pacific Ocean! – Don’t forget the earth isn’t flat which means if you travel in a straight line in line with the equator it is much longer! – Moreover, you don’t want an emergency landing in the middle of nowhere, so it much safer to travel near land but also avoiding airports on the way! Hope this helped you, and enjoy your day! Love you all! If I get it wrong I am sorry I just summarised what I heard from the article! ❤️
I work for an airline & I send planes over the Pacific often. We might take the “Alaskan” or “Russian” route or we might not. It depends on the winds and turbulence mostly. We also need overflight permits from Russia that can take about a week to get. In the winter, a lot of the airports in AK aren’t ideal conditions, so we’ll go over the Pacific to use HI, Midway, Guam, etc. in case of emergency. You could read about ETOPS rules for airplanes over the Pacific & Atlantic if you’re interested.
There are MANY airlines that fly directly over the pacific ocean. I, myself am a flight attendant and I have flown directly over the ocean. Airlines such as Fiji Airways, Qantas, Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines, Air New Zealand all have similar routes to connect pacific cities to other well known long haul cities. The flight crew can manage to fly without being around an airport for a good amount of time but it is a safety measure to be nearby an airport by at least a 100KM radius.
Having flown several times between Australia and Los Angeles and New Zealand and Los Angeles there’s no choice, but over the Pacific. Closest airport passed over was Nuku’Alofa, Tonga and that was still a long way, At 38,000 ft it’s usually smooth – maybe a few bumps at the inter-tropical convergence zone.
I’ve actually flown this route many times, from Osaka to Honolulu. Literally crossing the pacific. We apply a special requirement called ETOPS where we can fly along routes with the nearest airport can be 3 hours away… in our case it was midway island as en route diversion airport should there be an emergency
To summarize: Because of the Earth’s rotation and curvature, air currents tend to flow west to east. You want the wind at your back, not at your front. It’s faster and cheaper that way. I could explain how wind works and drag this out to an eight minute forty-six second read, but nobody actually wants to hear that.
In 1976 on July 4th, yes the United States Bi Centennial. I boarded a Boeing 747 with Northwest Orient and flew from San Franciso International Airport to Honolulu Hawaii, after a one hour deboarding and restocking layover, We reboarded flew over Mid Way Island (Look it up it is in the middle of the Pacific) and Landed in Tokyo the next day July 5th! The whole Tokyo International Airport was Decorated from one side to the other with Bi Centennial decorations. I had left Hawaii on the 4th and landed in Tokyo on the 5th, my Bi Centennial was over. I was a Private First Class US Army and had gotten orders to serve with the 2d United States Infantry Division and I was assigned to Camp Hovey Korea just outside Tongducheon Korea. Was a wonderful time, before cell phones and big screen TVs. I had to write home and wait for letters. I made $282 a month and was happy to be a soldier.
That’s interesting. When I was wounded and med-evaced from my first tour in Vietnam to Edwards AFB in Calif. in 1966. We flew over the Pacific. We went from Vietnam, to the Philippines, to Guam, to Wake Island and then to Hawaii and on to Calif.. We did fly over the pacific. But I guess that was in the “olden days”. GySgt. Tom Boyte, USMC retired Vietnam 65-66/70-71
The shortest route between any two points on a globe is called “The Great Circle Route”. This means the circumference of a circle that goes through the center of the Earth. Yes, The Earth is bigger at the equator than through the poles. If your 10 inch globe were to reflect this difference it would be 1/32″ bigger through the equator. Probably a difference that is smaller than the manufacturing tolerances of your globe.
Interesting article. I suspected the reason was the plane was trying to follow a great circle to minimize the distance (as you said a straight line on a 2D map is not the shortest distance on a sphere). But my favorite part of the article was the cameo by your cute kitty at 3:00, rubbing his head against the globe.
I have flown over, and sailed across- the Pacific many many many times. I understand the polar more-direct route, but there are plenty of flights that go directly, all over the Pacific… My favorite is from the mainland, to Hawaii, to Johnson (now deactivated) and on the Kwajalein Atoll– the army military base. I will admit….if you stop and think about all that water you are flying over hour after hour… and what “if something goes wrong,” ala Tom Hanks in the move “Castaway”…. hmmmmmm– well, somethings are best not thought about_ I just sit back, look out the window and watch all the pretty clouds going by.
This article has many errors: a major of one of which is the reference to earth’s oblateness, or is equatorial bulge. The diameter around the equator compared to that around the poles is merely 27 miles more, or about 0.3 percent greater. This is beyond insignificant to make a difference in travel times. The main reason why planes fly in a curved path (great circle route) is because… curved is “straight” on a globe. Accordingly, it is the shortest route.
The title is so wrong, aircraft flight over oceanic airspace all the time. There are many factors for the flight plan route, jet stream and aircraft/airlines ETOPS certification are the main factors. The seasonal change will affect the jet stream strength and causes the jet stream move southward during the winter season. Fly eastward/westward will be affected, the flight dispatch will have to plan the route by either take advantage of jet stream or avoid flying against it.
I just took my first trip from the U.S to Korea and asked myself this same question… I also thought it would be a faster trip since the plane was flying against the rotation of the earth (Korea moving toward the plane as the plane is flying toward Korea). Was I wrong? Is the earth not spinning fast enough for it to really make a difference?
“Alaska isn’t overpopulated with international airports.” – Before the fall of the Soviet Union, Anchorage used to be a common layover point for Europe to Asia flights. That was before the rise of the modern long haul airliner and the opening of the Siberian Air Corridor. But it is still used as a technical stop for some flights, and some cargo carriers use it as a hub for their Asia to North America routes.
If a plane flies from the west, say U.S. to East Asia, because the jet stream is from the west to the east across the Pacific, at least in the northern hemisphere, in order to avoid the headwind, that plane’s flight is on a great circle. In the opposite direction, when the plane flies from East Asia to north America, it does not use the great circle any more, but somehow, it follows the latitude line, which is a longer path(it can be proved mathematically it is longer, which I did before) is, but assisted by the jet stream, the tailwind helps the plane save fuel and time. So the wind field is a factor that the flight planner would need to take into consideration. In this situation the plane does appear to fly over the Pacific.
I was told it due to a lot of electrical issues due to high storms in the Pacific. That it used to mess with a bunch of equipment back in the day. Also, that if a plane crashes in the Pacific, the search for it would be extremely hard due to current.. That plane crashes on land or much easier to locate
You might want to explain the difference between rhumb line distance on a sphere vs the great circle routes (the shortest distance on a globe – sphere).. This is why planes fly the routes over the northern land bridge at least it appears they are following land but in reality they are flying the shortest distance. Yes it all about money. North to south routeing pretty much go direct but east west use the great circle routes – the shortest distance
“To cut a long story short, which isn’t my thing” – you’re not kidding! Four minutes or so just to get to the “great circle” point. And the oblate spheroid one. Although not related to the clip title, the jet stream stuff is informative. (But if I’d had less time, I’d probably have closed the clip after – or even before! – getting to the string bit, so would have missed it.)
Request to Mr. Bright Side- I would rather you have many shorter articles that just answer your question, than these long ones that give you all this information you weren’t looking for. It feels like I am taken hostage to get my answer and this is starting to get annoying, so that I think I will watch your articles less and less often…
The Pacific Ocean is a massive body of water that will require an extremely large amount of fuel to fly across. Rather than flying directly across the Pacific Ocean, most commercial flights take curved routes because they are actually shorter than shooting straight across a distance. There saved you 12 minutes
Aircraft fly regularly between airports on the east coast of Australia and the west coast of North and South America. Likewise aircraft from Japan, Korea, China, Singapore and other eastern Asian locations as well as Pacific countries like New Zealand and Fiji regularly fly across the Pacific in both directions.