shutterbug85

I've been lurking on the Peru board for about half a year now as my husband and I have started discussing our 2012 trip. Now it's approaching time to start watching airfare and booking an Inca Trail guide!

I've put together a basic draft itinerary - how many days in each location and order of travel. Once we get this nailed down, I'm sure I'll be back asking for advice on the Sacred Valley and other locations!

Some basics: We're in our mid-twenties and it'll be just us two. We are aiming for 2.5-3 weeks in May 2012. We love adventures and outdoor activities. The Inca Trail hike is a must for us. Also love meeting and spending time with the locals and doing "off the beaten trail" things.

For those who have been, can you let me know if we have enough days in each location? Thoughts on where we're going? Missing anything big? Anything worth skipping? Thoughts on transit between cities?

Thank you in advance!

Day 1 - Arrive Lima (night, probably)
Day 2 - Bus to Paracas (Islas Balletas tour?) -- Bus to Nazca
Day 3 - Nazca (Nazca lines) -- Overnight bus to Arequipa
Day 4 - Arequipa
Day 5 - Colca Canyon (tour)
Day 6 - Colca Canyon (tour) -- Overnight bus to Puno
Day 7 - Lake Titicaca (family stay)
Day 8 - Lake Titicaca / Puno
Day 9 - Travel to Cusco (bus?)
Day 10 - Sacred Valley (stay in Ollantaytambo)
Day 11 - Sacred Valley (stay in Olly)
Day 12 - Sacred Valley (stay in Olly)
Day 13-16 - Inca Trail 4-day hike
Day 17 - Machu Picchu (hike?)
Day 18 - Cusco (stay in Cusco)
Day 19 - Fly to Lima
Day 20 - Fly home

mlgb

You're path is very well beaten. Arround Olly I'd recommend going up the weavers way to Willoc & Patacancha.

I would spend more time in Lima. I would put the Amazon and north coast of Peru (Trujillo-Chiclayo area) ahead of some of the other spots you are visiting, but then I really do like off the beaten path spots.

shutterbug85

mlbg - Maybe going off the Gringo Trail and subbing the Amazon/north coast for the southern areas (Arequipa, etc)?

shutterbug85

Hit submit too early... What destinations would you switch out? Also, we're planning on doing the Amazon during a separate trip (probably including Brazil) - thoughts?

mlgb

If you're going to the Amazon separately then I wouldn't sub that. Even 3-4 days gives a good taste for the north coast. I took overnight busses (Transportes Linea) which were comfortable so I didn't lose time flying during the day, but Star Peru also has flights to Trujillo and Chiclayo.

You can fly from Lima to Arequipa inexpensively on either Star Peru or Peruvian Airlines if you want to just pick up the trip from there.

I would drop Paracas to Arequipa, possibly fly instead. You might also just drop a day here and there.

qwovadis

adventures.worldnomads.com/destination/168/itinerary/23.aspx

For a first timer your journey and times are perfect

have been there done that...

Cruz Del Sur best bus first class VIP seats downstairs best

casa-andina.com best hotels everywhere.

none at MP inkaterra.com best there or Presidente if budget

peru-explorer.com

get my best trekking deals with

incalandadventures Flavio from $3oo

qente.com good to

perutreks.com llamapath.com top rated more $$$

usually find best air FLL LIM on Spirit.com

first class for the price of coach on the majors.

Giant big leather seats an awesome ride.

Personally avoid LAN in Peru due to rip off

$178.50 per flight tourist surcharge.

usually can pick up a flight back CUZ LIM from $79 sales

taca.com starperu.com peruvianairlines.pe

Your journey is one of the best

road trips on the planet for me

mdtravelhealth.com altitude illness issues if you fly direct

to Cusco 11000 ft better to adjust slowly up the Gringo Trail.

Consider a home stay on Taquile the most amazing island at

titicacaperu.com I did this direct just took the fast boat

out $5/nt local family got the money agencies just give them

$1/nt mostly pretty scammy so I cut out the middlemen.

travel.state.gov for entry safety heads up

insuremytrip.com rare strikes theft weather issues

Happy Planning,

qwovadis

From Puno to Cusco have done

incaexpress.com nice touristic bus $40 stops lunch

ormeno flat fast $20 first class nice ride

San Luis cheapest for me from $5 ok not great local bus

6 hours or so for me from $5.

Planes/Trains long hassle expensive usually $200

so avoid those.

Casa Andina Classic in Cusco my fav from $90/nt

with the discounters on sales directrooms.com

libertador.com.pe Cusco for a splurge or Monasterio

directrooms.com

qwovadis

manuadventures.com

you could add a little Manu

from Cusco for jungl if time and budget permit.

would not fly to PM or Iquitos dodgy too far expensive flights

robertino

It looks like you only have a day in Cusco. Cusco is an amazing place and warrants more time if you can possibly spare it.

I really liked Ollanta but I think I would take one of your three nights there and give it to Cusco if it works logistically.

ncounty

I did that two day lake titicaca home stay; it was fantastic. My tour guide for that segment really contributed to it and I have posted a thread with his contact info, just click on my name.

If you like adventure, I did white water rafting on the Urubamba 2 hours from Cusco on class 4-5 rapids. It was so much fun. I went with Mayuc tours, they have an office in central Cusco. It was $45 for the full day.

at MP, most people hike Huaynu Picchu which requires getting there at 4 am and waiting in line. they only let 400 people in and you may still end up number 405. I chose to climb Machu Picchu instead, which only 40-50 people climb. It is 30% higher than Huaynu picchu and the views are great.