offroadengineer

I am going to Machu Pichu next week, my plan is to start in the sacred valley in Ollantaytambo then go to MP. Can I use Ollantaytambo as a 'base camp' to see MP or should a stay in Aguas calientes? After SV and MP, then I plan to go to Cuzco. Is 10 days a reasonable amount of time in the area? Any recommendations on what else to see, with 10 days is there enough time to see SV, MP, and the amazon? Any other areas I should consider? I'll be traveling solo, but prefer not to be running around (though hiking is ok) the whole trip trying to see everything. Many thanks for your advice.

mlgb

Yes, you can use Ollantaytambo to day trip to Machu Picchu. However have you bought your train tickets yet? The return trains often sell out because the Inca Trail trekkers use them. If this is the case you may need to spend the night in Aguas Calientes and take a morning train back.

In addition to www.Perurail.com, you can also find trains at www.incarail.com

I would try to get those train tickets asap.

Since next week is quite busy, you should probably pay an agency to buy your Machu Picchu ticket ahead of time.

The official tickets for MP are at http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/ however the website does not work well for most overseas credit card sales. You can make a reservation and then pay at a bank in Peru (or a few other spots withing a 6 hour window).

Also I hope you have booked your flights from Lima to Cusco.

With 10 days you have time to go to Lake Titicaca (allow a full day by bus each way) or to Puerto Maldonado. You can probably arrange these when you arrive in Cusco, but because it is still high season you may want to arrange it ahead of time.

There is lots of free travel planning info at www.andeantravelweb.com

Esme_Travels

Hi --

I had 8 days and found it perfect for Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, the Amazon and Lima. That being said, I do prefer to go "wide" rather than "deep" in a place.

Re: base camp. Have you considered the Tambo del Inka? I feel like I'm a rep for them but I swear I'm not. It's centrally located in the SV so Olly, Pisa, Moras etc. are all in easy driving distance. Plus, the private station for the train to MP is a great perk. It's a 5-star hotel and I found it quite affordable using points + cash.

Re: the Amazon: I very much enjoyed my jaunt with Rainforest Expeditions.

My report is at http://www.esmetravels.com/category/travel-blog/peru/.

Have a great trip.

jeanned

We went to the same locations as you have listed and spent 2 weeks. In retrospect, I probably would have added a few more days as we didn't do everything we would have liked.

We based ourselves our of Ollantaytambo while in the SV and it worked out well. I did look at Tambo del Inka which is mentioned above as well as other resorts in Urubama but decided against them. Esme Travels, my memory is that the train out of Tambo del Inka is incredibly expensive and with a very limited schedule-- is this correct? I know I got a quote on it from them and it was one reason why we chose to located ourselves in Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is a very charming town with a reasonable number of good restaurants. Although Urubama is more centrally located, I am glad we chose Ollantaytambo. (also the hotels in Ollantaytambo are significantly less expensive but of course not as luxurious).

Esme_Travels

I thought Olly was cute. I had a (warm) beer on one of the balconies there, content to just sit (enough stairs!) and observe the locals going about their day.

I bought SPG points when they were on sale for 25% off then booked using Points + Cash and Tambo del Inka ended up being very inexpensive. I think the cost of the train, but and MP tickets was around $200. Not cheap. There was no choice on train departure times but I was fine with those offered.

mirafloresapt

Sure, you can take a plane to Puerto Maldonado and visit the grestest naural reserve of the Amazonas Joungle: MANU. Do not miss it !!

Esme_Travels

And it's a short, inexpensive and very nice flight (I flew Taca) from Cusco.