Going to Peru with 2 kids (9 and 12yrs)

Old Apr 20th, 2017, 12:54 PM
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Going to Peru with 2 kids (9 and 12yrs)

Looking for recommendation for travel and hotel for the first phase of our 2 week trip to Peru.

Will reach LIMA on 23rd of July late night
2th of July: Explore LIMA with leisure
25th of July: Fly to Arequipa (is Train a better option?)
26th of July: Go to Chivay and whatever we can see on the way and Colca
27th of July: Go to Condor and head towards Puno
28th of July: Lake Titicaca tour - going to floating island?
29th of July: Fly/Train/Bus to Cusco
Will stay only 1 night in Cusco for 29th of July

Thank you for any input/recommendations.
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Old Apr 20th, 2017, 02:17 PM
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What happens after July 29?

To answer the questions basically you have to fly to Arequipa. There isn't a train and it's a long way.

Are you returning to Lima?

It might make sense to stay near or at the Lima Airport and just continue on to Arequipa the next morning, and then do a day in Lima at the end.

Hopefully you will have some time in Arequipa.

There are a few ways to get to Colca Canyon. You can book a tour, including the one night in Colca Canyon and the necessary transfer the following morning to see the Condors, and then they can put you on the 4M bus to Puno or include a private transfer.For the tour I recommend Giardino which uses a their hotel Mama Yacchi in Corporaque or booking through Killawasi Lodge in Yanque. There are other options, some are expensive such as Colca Lodge, and some are cheap which you can book on arrival in Arequipa, but the latter usually put you on a pool tour bus which I don't like. 4-M Express is a good tourist bus service between Arequipa, Chivay and Puno. You would still need to find a transfer to the Condor viewing area, which is why a package tour usually works out better.

For the Titicaca tour I recommend All Ways Travel.

I wouldn't fly to Cusco, because that means you have to go to Juliaca. The bus or train will take most of the day. The tourist bus will make several stops. There a few services.
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Old Apr 20th, 2017, 10:54 PM
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If you are just going to Puno to see the floating islands, I wouldn't bother. They are now very much like a theme park (although I am sure the kids would enjoy!) . I would be inclined to spend the time in Arequipa or additional time in Cusco and either fly between the two or get th overnight bus.

Be aware that Colca and Puno are at high altitude and the bus between the two passes through areas of even higher high altitude 4500m + so you need to concise the effects of that altitude on you and your children.

Before sugestimg hotels, and idea of your budget per nigh would be helpful.
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Old Apr 21st, 2017, 11:22 AM
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Thank you for your prompt response and helpful tips.

We have already contacted with Giardinio and working on our tour package from Arequipa to Chivay - Colca- Condor- Puno. Plan to stay one extra night either at Arequipa or Chivay and are planning to reach Puno on 28th of July, then go to Lake Titicaca on 29th, Fly to Cusco on 30th of July (mainly it is not quite comfortable taking 10 hours long bus journey with 2 kids). This is our 1st phase of our journey.

Second phase starts from Cusco where we will meet with 6 other families. Here is initial the plan we came up with after reading many reviews and travel plan:

30th of July: Go to Urubamba from Cusco airport

31st of July: Explore sacred valey – Maras, Morey, etc

1st Aug: Olantyambo -> AC; Go to Machu Pichu if we are all fine

2nd Aug: Machu Pichu

3rd Aug: AC to Cusco

4th Aug: Take it easy in Cusco and explore in leisure

5th Aug: Fly to Lima and back to San Francisco



As we will be travelling with 14 children in the 2nd phase of the trip, we wanted to take it a bit easy. We don't know where to stay in our second phase.

Will appreciate suggestions about hotel/lodge in Cusco, Urubamba and AC

Thanks again.
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Old Apr 21st, 2017, 12:18 PM
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Wow that is quite a group!

I enjoyed the first night at Mama Yacchi and had them leave me in Chivay after the morning trip to see the Condors. I had lunch there and then took a taxi for my second night to Yanque at Killawasi Lodge. That worked out quite well, since I was able to take tKillawasi's free 3pm walk in the afternoon (it went up to the top to Uyu Uyu, and then down to the bottom and then back up to the lodge..the latter part was tough, so you may just want to do the first part, just to look a the ancient colcas and the bridge. For meals in Yanque at the time really the only option was the hotel, and you need to request that ahead. At Mama Yacchi we also took an afternoon walk when we arrive, through the town of Corporaque and then up to the ruins of San Antonio.I didn't find that walk as difficult, even walking through the lanes of the town will be interesting, you'll likely see the ladies in traditional dress taking care of their livestock. Later in the arrival day there was an option to go to the hot springs in Chivay. On the Condor visit, the guide asked if we wanted to walk along the edge of the canyon for awhile which was easy, or if we wanted to just go to the viewpoint. For all of these activities, you would need to ask if that is still possible post quake.

I have no idea where a group that large should stay, but know that there are a number of larger hotels in Urubamba. So really can't help with that!

Passing thru Colca Canyon and L Titicaca/Puno should prepare you for Cusco's altitude. Have you asked about Diamox..which you could start when you arrive in Lima (so you don't have to deal with needing to pee more on the plane). Arequipa isn't that high, and not really high enough to help for Chivay and Puno, which both are at 12,000 feet altitude. Also you'll go over an even higher pass between AQP and Chivay, the Patapampa which is around 16000 feet. You'll want to have some Advil, bottled water and sweets on hand, as you'll likely feel it! Sipping on water and sucking on candy helps. By the time you get to Urubamba and Machu Picchu's lower altitude you hopefully will be okay.

Also if anyone doesn't feel good at night, be sure to remember to ask the hotel if they can supply some oxygen. Many people just try to tough it out and it isn't necessary.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 07:06 AM
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I would rearrange the Cusco part a bit:

On arrival at the Cusco airport, go direct to Ollantaytambo. It is at a lower altitude than Cusco and Urubamba so it will permit everyone to acclimate better. Spend the first day at leisure and then leave for AC from Ollantay. I would also return there as the train from AC takes a long time to arrive at Cusco.

You might want to arrange your Sacred Valley tour so that it departs from Ollantay.

!Buen viaje!
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 09:03 AM
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I would rather stay in Ollantaytambo than Urumbamba, although, as mlgb says, there are more large hotels in Urumbamba. It's just that Ollantaytambo is much more interesting.

I would suggest looking at Apu Lodge in Ollantaytambo, large rooms nice gardens. I am just not sure they have enough room for 14 kids! Wherever you choose, book sooner rather than later with those numbers.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 03:36 PM
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Coming from Colca Canyon (same altitude as Cusco) and then Lake Titicaca (1000 feet higher) they do not need the same plan as someone flying straight into Cusco from Lima.

But I agree that Ollantay is much nicer, I just don't know how you house a group that large there (probably not possible in the same hotel, especially not even 2 months out at this point and in high season. Many lodgings have only a few rooms, and a few staff that may not be able to handle serving breakfast to a large group all at once.

But if you CAN find lodging that works, more power.

Be aware that Apu Lodge and other locations up in the old town can't be reached by car. So you need to hike in with your luggage, although I think that porters can be arranged.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 09:40 PM
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I agree with the acclimatisation issues, it is just that I much prefer Ollantaytambo to Urumbamba but as you say mlgb, availability is definitely going to be a problem at this late stage. Apu Lodge does arrange porters to meet transport and transfer luggage (I actually did that for them a couple of times when chatting to the owner there!)
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 10:12 AM
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WTF?
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:18 AM
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WTF what? I missed that!
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:57 AM
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It was some nonsensical rant about how a certain Dr Zack could help you... I'm actually surprised it was removed.
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