LM3682

Hi - we're headed to Peru on Friday and most everything is booked. I did have a question related to Pisac though. Do we need to hire a driver for the day? (we'll be staying in Ollantaytambo) Or can we take a taxi there and then find plentiful taxis when we're ready to come back? It will be on Sunday.

Either way, about what should we expect to pay?

We are touring with David Choque most of the time, but not for our day in Pisac...didn't seem like we needed a guide and I wanted at least one day to not be led around!

Thanks in advance

waylluy

you can hire a taxi from Olly or have your hotel contact one.

mlgb

This is quite an expensive taxi fare as Pisac is farther than Cusco. I got a quote of something like 130 soles one way, although roundtrip may be less. I wound up taking the bus and combi in record time of 1.5 hours.

crellston

There are usually lots of taxis around in Olly in the mornings and I doubt you will have any trouble but you will need to bargain hard to get a decent fare (basic spanish helps immensely in the process). Get the driver to write down the fare so there are no "misunderstandings" later. Probably easier to arrange a oundtrip rather than try to get a taxi back from pisac (most of the taxi drivers there will be from Cusco and will want to get back home 0r, charge exhorbitantly!).
Y ou are correct that you don't need a guide for Pisac. Have a wander around the market, have some lunch and then get your driver to drop you off at car park at the top of the ruins and pick you up at the bottom for teh return journey

Like mlgb I would go for the bus/combi. they certainly don't look it but they are reasonably efficient if not that comfortable and you will get to meet some local people (& possibly a few animals!) The buses tend to leave on a 2when full" basis and route will necessitate a change at Urumbamba.

mlgb

The change in Urubamba was easy, you walk thru the terminal and out the other side are all the combis. I took the 120 soles I didnt give to the taxi driver and spent it in Patacancha instead.

Suru11

We hired a taxi in the Cusco plaza to take us to Pisac, wait for us, then take us back for 110 soles and I feel it was well worth it. He had no problem waiting almost 4 hours for us and he was a safe, friendly driver with a big smile. It was really nice not having to worry about getting a ride back.

LM3682

A follow-up to my original posting - we ended up using one of David Choque's guides and drivers to take us from Ollantaytambo to Pisac for the day. I had fully intended to have my hotel (Pakaritampu) assist us with a taxi, but when we checked in and asked about this, they looked at me like this was a crazy request, saying it would not be possible. David was just dropping us from the airport and was standing there during this conversation with the hotel, so he offered his services.

So he sent one of his other guides and a driver to take us roundtrip, show us the ruins and hike down the mountain with us for about US$100. Obviously more expensive than what I could have bargained for with a random taxi, but he was a known entity at that point and we basically had the use of his car and driver for the day. When we reached the market, we just set up a time to meet up later and wandered freely. Round trip, we spent about 7 hours, on our schedule, so it was definitely worth it for us.

Agreed, however, that anyone who does want to visit Pisac on their own would not need a guide. I would say the 'guide' element for us was very light on this particular day.