stvmic

We will be travelling to Peru in Sept of 2012 and would like to do all the planning by ourselves. From reading many trip reports, I have come up with a very preliminary itinerary. Day 1 arrive Lima 7:00 p.m. and go to hotel
Day2: Fly in the morning to Cusco and immediately drive to Ollantyambo.
Day 3: Horseback riding in Sacred Valley and overnight again in Ollantyambo.
Day 4: Take train to Aguas Calientes and spend the night.
Day 5: Early morning bus to MP to spend the day there. Train back to Cusco.
Day 6: Tour Cusco, possible rafting trip.
Day 7: -Depart for Lima, spend afternoon in Lima
Day 8: Full day touring Lima
Day 9: International flight home.

Here are my questions. Can anyone recommend driver to pick us up in Cusco and take us to ollan. How about recommendations for accomodations in Ollan ( budget 50-100)
Any suggestions on accomodations in Cusco? Lima? Another important question is whether to add extra day in Cusco and shorten Lima to 1/2 day, or shorten Ollan to one day? We are two couples in their 30's and love the outdoors and photography. Thanks in advance for any tips.

mlgb

The midrange hotels in Ollantaytambo, such as El Albergue or Pakaritampu csn arrange your driver.

On day 4, you don't need to allow a full day for the train to Aguas Calientes, and unless you are staying at the Inkaterra which has some onsite activities, there isn't any good reason to waste a day in Aguas Calientes. If you think you can get up early on day 4, you can take the train from Ollantaytambo that leaves at approx 6am, and be up at the site at around 9 am, still allowing time for a full day at MP. On Day 5 you can go back to Cusco and gain at least a half day there for sightseeing. You can gain at least a half day on day 5 to sightsee in Cusco.

For such a short trip I think I might just return to Lima on Day 8 in the morning, afternoon flights aren't reliable anyways.

You probably will be able to do some light sightseeing on Day 2 in Ollantaytambo, also.

I stayed at Hostal Balcon in Cusco and liked it fine for a mid range place. Note that a Hostal is not a hostel, but rather a small inn or B&B.

qwovadis

Did something like this a couple of years ago.
www.apulodge.com nice folks pretty place cheap
in www.ollantaytambo.org. Can set up everything cheaply
did for me. peru-explorer.com Presidente nice cheap in
AC rumipunku.com worth it in Cusco or ninoshotel.com for budget. www.hotelsanantonioabad.com nice budget FREE
LIM pickup.Get a nice room to the back less street noise.

insuremytrip.com wise I had a blast last... Have fun!

qwovadis

Good driver/guides always from CUZ to Olly $25 they are waiting in line to bargain with you.Or hop a bus collectivo
down fora few soles even cheaper if you pack light.

Lastly give some thought to coming in through the sung gate to
MP I did this last for $300 with www.incalandadventures.com
Flavio it was well worth it the experience of a lifetime.

So consider that SO worth it andeantravelweb.com details.

stvmic

Can you explain what you mean by entering MP through the sungate? Is this a hike? Can it be done in one day?

mlgb

If you hike the Inca Trail you come in thru the Sun Gate, there is a shorter version as well.

It is now regulated so not something you can do without prebooking.

If you are already inside MP you can hike up and back to the Sun Gate.

ncounty

I think your itinerary sounds fine. I loved staying at El Albergue in Olly and my place in Cusco which I can't remember right now. Click on my profile and look at my trip report; the details are there. My trip was all done on my own. There are tours you can pick up when you arrive in Cusco that will deliver you to Olly AND give you sightseeing on the way for about $45 for the day. (Some did it for $20 with bargaining and no lunch).

I liked Agua Caliente so I think your itinerary is fine. I used my day and a half there to create an inexpensive spa experience. There are so many massage places for so cheap, about $20/hour. I enjoyed relaxing there.

LatAmForLess

Since the trip from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is only a few hours, we would not suggest dedicating all of Day 4 to merely transportation. Aguas Calientes is essentially a travel resource hub, so there is not much to see there either, except for some unimpressive hot springs nearby. As such, it is better on Day 4 to take the early, early morning train to Aguas Calientes in time to see Machu Picchu at sunrise, explore the ruins for the day, then go back to Ollantaytambo or even Cusco in the evening.

This way, you will be able to spend some more time in Cusco which fully deserves it. There is so much to see there, and in the Sacred Valley.

With time restrictions, we usually also suggest more time in Cusco/Sacred Valley over Lima. However, it is best to arrive in Lima at least 1/2-1 day prior to your departure flight in case anything happens with transportation along the way. Better to be safe than sorry! So depending on the time of your flight on Day 9, you could enjoy Cusco/SV just a little bit longer!

Best of travels,
Peru For Less

ncounty

I stayed at Unaytambo in Cusco. I loved my bed and my room.