Option for side trip could be Puno, Lake Titicaca, Nazca line, and some time in Lima.

If you have more time, Galapogos Island and the Amazon.

Well, for $2850 per person, I would plan my own trip and just do the Inca trail with one of the more reasonable groups. You can get perfectly good hotels in Peru for $100 a night, and guided all-day car tours for about $50 per person. Adventure day trips (or 4 day Inca trail hikes) run about $100 to $150 per day, per person. Meals at $60 a day/pp means a week will cost between $1100 and $1500 per person.

I think you can even arrange that same mountain lodges hike with the local operator for a lot less.

As far as side trips, we really enjoyed an Amazon lodge trip out of Iquitos. Airfare and Explorama Lodge TGIF package with activities and food cost $669 total/pp

Might have gone to the Galapagos, except husband hates traveling on boats. Also, I think you'd need more than a couple of days.

REI just repackages other's trips. I agree with what lcuy said.

If it was this particular luxury operator's trip, you could call them direct and ask what the discount is for trips booked without an agent.

http://www.mountainlodgesofperu.com/2010/index.html

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

For less money you can fly in on Spirit.com first class

Usually hire driver/guide from $50/half day

or deluxe bus www.cruzdelsur.com.pe

www.casa-andina.com www.libertador.com.pe upscale properties

Pick up Galapagos of Peru the Ballestas on your way as

well as the Nasca Lines and titcacaperu.com

REI not a local subs all their stuff out lodges ok not great

ancientsummit.com Nina Perubesttours.com better value

with quality folks than REI if you want a good tour.

kuodatours.com for upscale might be a bit more...

Happy Hunting,

Thanks for all your feedback guys, I greatly appreciate it!!

If you are still planning on booking that REI trip you are just asking for trouble without spending a few days in Cusco prior to, for getting used to the altitude.