Galapagos week with Ecoventura Dec 2-9. After that, we have another 10 days. I have looked into their extension to Peru/Machu Piccu - their schedule is
Dec 9 Guayaquil to Lima
Dec 10 Lima/Cusco, city tour
Dec 11train/bus to Machu Piccu. Overnight at base of the mountain
Dec 12 Return to Machu Piccu on our own. Afternoon train to Urubamba
Dec 13 Urubamba to Cusco, tour Pisac
Dec 14Cosco/Lima inc tour of Lima
While I'd like to go to Machu Piccu,I am afraid if we don't utilize a tour route tickets may already be sold out. We are willing to look at hiring local guides and considering staying and just doing Ecuador or seeing both. We have not been to this part of the world before and wonder we should consider renting a car and just going?? We have traveled both independently and with a tour and they each have advantages. Just seems like the above schedule sucks up too much travel time without enough indepth experience anywhere.
Any and all suggestions would be highly appreciated. We are 59 and 63 in good health. Both into nature, water, long hikes not so much. THANKS
10 days after the galapagos? Tour vs on our own
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After doing some research, I am concerned that the above schedule get us to altitude too quickly. Considering flying into Quito on Nov 30, then to Galapagos, then back to Quito for 2-3 days, then ?how best to do Machu Piccu - would consider an overnight at the Sanctuary for one night inside Machu Piccu. Any suggestions/thoughts appreciated.
I'm going to suggest an alternative. We spent two weeks in Peru in 2009; I say leave Peru and Machu Picchu for a separate trip. There's a lot of places to visit and things to do on the Ecuador mainland to easily fill your post-cruise days. Your few days in Quito will help you get acclimated to the altitude and you can go from there. The cloud forest, the coast, and so much more. We didn't get to do that on this trip; can't wait to go back. We hired a guide with a car for our few short days this time, but might consider a car rental for a longer term trip.
I'm posting about our trip now, if you care to take a peek, you can find my blog here ... http://2totravel.blogspot.com
Thanks I have been following your blogs. I will wait for more suggestions and more research on my part..I am also considering staying in Ecuador as you suggest!