Trip to Peru
Nov 17th, 2004, 03:43 AM
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Trip to Peru
We are headed to Peru for the first time at the end of March.My wife and I are fit 50s. Our son and daughter are 27 and 21 respectively.
So far, this is the plan. Bear in mind that the wife and I will be there 13 nts and the "kids" will be there 9.
Arrive in Lima and stay one night.-Hotel suggestions? My wife is a latina and can speak the language.
Fly the next day to Cusco and spend 2 nts there -
Hotel?
We are then torn between a 2 or 4 day trek to Machu Picchu.We are fit.We would probably prefer a private guide.-What Company and where should we stay?
That is 5 or 7 nts depending on the trek.
What should we do next? Go to the Amazon or do you have another suggestion? The kids leave after 9 nts but we have 4 more nights.
Where should we go? Is there some place Romantic? Is there a must see place or places?
So far, this is the plan. Bear in mind that the wife and I will be there 13 nts and the "kids" will be there 9.
Arrive in Lima and stay one night.-Hotel suggestions? My wife is a latina and can speak the language.
Fly the next day to Cusco and spend 2 nts there -
Hotel?
We are then torn between a 2 or 4 day trek to Machu Picchu.We are fit.We would probably prefer a private guide.-What Company and where should we stay?
That is 5 or 7 nts depending on the trek.
What should we do next? Go to the Amazon or do you have another suggestion? The kids leave after 9 nts but we have 4 more nights.
Where should we go? Is there some place Romantic? Is there a must see place or places?
Nov 17th, 2004, 11:45 AM
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I had a wonderful time in the Amazon at the Explorama Lodges...I highly recommend that! Some of the people to whom I spoke felt that two days was enough of a trek; I didn't trek, just took the short hike out of MP. Staying overnight in Macchu Picchu Pueblo is a really good idea, as well.
I liked Novotel in Cusco; nice place and good location. Peru is really awesome!
(Pix are at http://community.webshots.com/user/missalg )
I liked Novotel in Cusco; nice place and good location. Peru is really awesome!
(Pix are at http://community.webshots.com/user/missalg )
Nov 18th, 2004, 03:11 PM
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Dear Amy-Should we spend one or two nights in Lima? Which Explorama Lodge do you recommend? Why is the MP two day trip better? How do we get a guide for MP? Do you know of a romantic place in Peru where we can go when the children-young adults are gone? I hope some of you other Fodorites can fill in. Thank you.
Nov 18th, 2004, 07:23 PM
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Lima is an interesting city, but one night was actually sufficient for me as there is so much else to see and do in Peru.
One thought is to spend some time in the Urubamba Valley before going on to Cusco; it helps with adjusting to the higher altitude, and there are some lovely rafting trips along the river.
The people to whom I spoke about the trek just felt that two days--or nights, actually-- of "roughing it" gave you enough of a feel for the experience; I think part of the opinion depends on weather, as hiking and camping in the rain can be a bit much even for the intrepid.
Staying at MP was great because one could stay later and arrive earlier at the ruins than the crowds did; of course, trekkers usually do arrive at sunrise. It's all the magic and mystery you can imagine!
For the Amazon, I liked the Explornapo Lodge the best, as it was the deepest into the rainforest; their Ceiba Tops would be nice for a more romantic (and less rustic) stay, with a swimming pool and A/C. The concert of las ranas y las estrellas from the little patio at Ceiba Tops is very romantic, indeed.
Sorry I can't help with a trek guide; the trips seem to be fairly similar, and I'm sure someone else will be able to be more helpful. Have a wonderful trip!
One thought is to spend some time in the Urubamba Valley before going on to Cusco; it helps with adjusting to the higher altitude, and there are some lovely rafting trips along the river.
The people to whom I spoke about the trek just felt that two days--or nights, actually-- of "roughing it" gave you enough of a feel for the experience; I think part of the opinion depends on weather, as hiking and camping in the rain can be a bit much even for the intrepid.
Staying at MP was great because one could stay later and arrive earlier at the ruins than the crowds did; of course, trekkers usually do arrive at sunrise. It's all the magic and mystery you can imagine!
For the Amazon, I liked the Explornapo Lodge the best, as it was the deepest into the rainforest; their Ceiba Tops would be nice for a more romantic (and less rustic) stay, with a swimming pool and A/C. The concert of las ranas y las estrellas from the little patio at Ceiba Tops is very romantic, indeed.
Sorry I can't help with a trek guide; the trips seem to be fairly similar, and I'm sure someone else will be able to be more helpful. Have a wonderful trip!
Nov 19th, 2004, 01:49 PM
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Thank you Amy.I am excited already.Can anybody recommend a guide or agency for a 2 night MP trip with a nt in MP? The AC sounds good in the Amazon-especially after roughing it on the trek.Do you start the trek in Cusco or after the train ride?
Nov 21st, 2004, 05:41 AM
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Hi CitiBoy,
Tried to reply to your posting yesterday and Fodor's freaked out. Trying again now. Sure hope this site gets it's problems worked out soon! This is third time this morning... Let's hope third time's a charm...
Not sure that times your flights arrives in Lima and departs for Cusco. Also not sure about your budget or if you'd attempt any sightseeing in Lima:
Here are some Lima hotel options:
1. Budget - Stay at the Hotel Manhattan, near the airport. http://www.enjoyperu.com/hotels/ingles/lima/manhattan/. (We've arranged for day-use of this hotel in Feb 2005.) The hotel is perfectly safe, but the neighborhood is not one to go walking about.
2. Miraflores - Hotel Antigua, Stayed here in 1999 and enjoyed this location and hotel very much. http://peru-hotels-inns.com/. Walking distance to some great restaurants... Brujas de Cachiche http://www.brujasdecachiche.com.pe/ibien.html and a short taxi ride to La Rosa Nautica http://www.larosanautica.com/.
For Cusco, I can recommend the Picoaga...stayed there in 1999 and we'll be back agin in Feb 05. Ask for one of the rooms in the older colonial part of the hotel. http://www.picoagahotel.com/indice2.HTMThis is a terrific location to walk everywhere. We found this hotel to be super silent even with the Inti Raymi celebrations and street partying going on.
Another Cusco option which gets rave reviews here is the Monasterio. It's on a hill at 11,500 feet and pricey...and it looks oh so lovely. http://www.monasterio.orient-express...a1a_splash.jsp. It you want to splurge I'd go here. It looks absolutely fab!!! Looks very romantic!!!
I've recommended Explorandes on this forum before and will do so again. They've been doing business in Peru for 30 years, are very professional, provide a variety of excellent guides and treat porters well (a sign of a good business practices IMHO). http://www.explorandes.com/
You can arrange to do one of Explorandes packaged tours, or tell them what you want and they can put it together for you. We've been working through Ric at Rutahsa Adventures who's Explorandes contact has been Vicky for a portion of our Bolivia/Peru 2005 trip. If you book the trip through Rutahsa you'll get a 10% discount off Explorandes' regular rates. http://rutahsa.com/. You can have Explorandes arrange as much or as little as you'd like.
Here is how we are using Explorandes...provide private driver from Copacabana, Bolivia to Puno, Peru. We'll ask for stops in Pomata to see the Santiago Apostol de Pomata church and again in Chucuito. They've made hotel arrangements (Qelqatani in Puno, Picoaga in Cusco and day use of Hotel Manhattan in Lima). Tourist Bus transportation from Puno to Cusco, Flight from Cusco to Lima. Explorandes will also provide transfers to/from hotel in Puno and Cusco. We've asked them to purchase and provide us with a Cusco Tourist Ticket upon our arrival in Cusco. (This last bit will save us some very precious time.)
On the Rutahsa site, you will also find some links for Peru independent travel and about hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
I'd say if you love hiking and have good knees.... (lots of up and down) you'd love the experience. Ray and our son did the hike from km 82 in three days.. actually 4 if you count the bus ride and short hike to km 82 where they camped the first night. I just asked him his recommendation... two day hike or 4 day hike? Four day. Why? Longer is better. It is very interesting with many other ruins along the way that you can't get to any other way. In a separate thread, I'll post the part of his 1999 Peru trip report that discusses the Inca Trail portion. You can read through that and decide for yourself.
As for your other questions, what do you like to do? How do you like to spend your time? What is drawing you to Peru?
-Sharon
Tried to reply to your posting yesterday and Fodor's freaked out. Trying again now. Sure hope this site gets it's problems worked out soon! This is third time this morning... Let's hope third time's a charm...
Not sure that times your flights arrives in Lima and departs for Cusco. Also not sure about your budget or if you'd attempt any sightseeing in Lima:
Here are some Lima hotel options:
1. Budget - Stay at the Hotel Manhattan, near the airport. http://www.enjoyperu.com/hotels/ingles/lima/manhattan/. (We've arranged for day-use of this hotel in Feb 2005.) The hotel is perfectly safe, but the neighborhood is not one to go walking about.
2. Miraflores - Hotel Antigua, Stayed here in 1999 and enjoyed this location and hotel very much. http://peru-hotels-inns.com/. Walking distance to some great restaurants... Brujas de Cachiche http://www.brujasdecachiche.com.pe/ibien.html and a short taxi ride to La Rosa Nautica http://www.larosanautica.com/.
For Cusco, I can recommend the Picoaga...stayed there in 1999 and we'll be back agin in Feb 05. Ask for one of the rooms in the older colonial part of the hotel. http://www.picoagahotel.com/indice2.HTMThis is a terrific location to walk everywhere. We found this hotel to be super silent even with the Inti Raymi celebrations and street partying going on.
Another Cusco option which gets rave reviews here is the Monasterio. It's on a hill at 11,500 feet and pricey...and it looks oh so lovely. http://www.monasterio.orient-express...a1a_splash.jsp. It you want to splurge I'd go here. It looks absolutely fab!!! Looks very romantic!!!
I've recommended Explorandes on this forum before and will do so again. They've been doing business in Peru for 30 years, are very professional, provide a variety of excellent guides and treat porters well (a sign of a good business practices IMHO). http://www.explorandes.com/
You can arrange to do one of Explorandes packaged tours, or tell them what you want and they can put it together for you. We've been working through Ric at Rutahsa Adventures who's Explorandes contact has been Vicky for a portion of our Bolivia/Peru 2005 trip. If you book the trip through Rutahsa you'll get a 10% discount off Explorandes' regular rates. http://rutahsa.com/. You can have Explorandes arrange as much or as little as you'd like.
Here is how we are using Explorandes...provide private driver from Copacabana, Bolivia to Puno, Peru. We'll ask for stops in Pomata to see the Santiago Apostol de Pomata church and again in Chucuito. They've made hotel arrangements (Qelqatani in Puno, Picoaga in Cusco and day use of Hotel Manhattan in Lima). Tourist Bus transportation from Puno to Cusco, Flight from Cusco to Lima. Explorandes will also provide transfers to/from hotel in Puno and Cusco. We've asked them to purchase and provide us with a Cusco Tourist Ticket upon our arrival in Cusco. (This last bit will save us some very precious time.)
On the Rutahsa site, you will also find some links for Peru independent travel and about hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
I'd say if you love hiking and have good knees.... (lots of up and down) you'd love the experience. Ray and our son did the hike from km 82 in three days.. actually 4 if you count the bus ride and short hike to km 82 where they camped the first night. I just asked him his recommendation... two day hike or 4 day hike? Four day. Why? Longer is better. It is very interesting with many other ruins along the way that you can't get to any other way. In a separate thread, I'll post the part of his 1999 Peru trip report that discusses the Inca Trail portion. You can read through that and decide for yourself.
As for your other questions, what do you like to do? How do you like to spend your time? What is drawing you to Peru?
-Sharon
Nov 21st, 2004, 08:14 AM
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Hi again. You can read about Ray's Inca Trail experiences here: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34542305.
A small correction to my earlier post. The first day Ray and Patrick (our son) hiked from km 82 to 88.
Ray also sends along a suggestion to watch the Lonely Planet Peru video. He thinks it shows a two-day hike. The long climb shown on the video is not part of the hike Ray did. Ray says his hike always had trees to offer some shade from the hot Andean sun.
-Sharon
A small correction to my earlier post. The first day Ray and Patrick (our son) hiked from km 82 to 88.
Ray also sends along a suggestion to watch the Lonely Planet Peru video. He thinks it shows a two-day hike. The long climb shown on the video is not part of the hike Ray did. Ray says his hike always had trees to offer some shade from the hot Andean sun.
-Sharon
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