machu picchu / cusco

Old Feb 16th, 2011, 05:12 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
machu picchu / cusco

My husband & I plan to visit Peru mid April, spending 4 days in Cusco & 2 in Machu Pichhu. Our package includes tours of these places but we'll still have almost 2 days in Cusco and another at Machu Picchu. Any suggestions about what we might do? We will not be climbing Huayna Picchu. Am also looking for shopping tips, especially alpacca sweaters, how much do they cost and which would be a good place to but them?
geetika is offline  
Old Feb 16th, 2011, 06:24 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've written about shopping for alpaca products. In fact, the information appears in the Cusco chapter of the Fodor's guide to Peru.

You should buy from a real store if you want a guaranteed quality product. There are a lot of acrylic blends or even 100% acrylic products that get passed off as "alpaca." A good, upscale shop isn't going to risk its reputation on fake products.

Alpaca 111 and Peru Etnico are two good stores in the center of Cusco. You'll pay a lot more than you will if you buy from a market vendor, but you'll know what you're getting, and you'll have a quality sweater that will last.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old Feb 17th, 2011, 05:41 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Excellent suggestions above also

Best values I have seen at Pisac

Largest Inkan Market in the world

Paid 2 soles to go by bus Sunday best market day.

Values up to 70% off if you bargain well there.

www.culturalimmersion.org good Cusco info also
qwovadis is offline  
Old Feb 17th, 2011, 01:32 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hello Geetika
Well I went to peru last year, but in our case we spent a little more of two weeks, visiting, arequipa, puno , cusco and Puerto Maldonado, obviously we did our arrangements trips with a local tour operator called Inkandina Travel, We did The city tour in cusco, The incan sacred valley with an overnight there, Macchu picchu with an overnight in Aguas Calientes town, in addition we did an excursion to Maras - Moray and Tipon -Piquilacta and andahuaylillas.
I'm in complete agreement with qwovadis, you can save money in Pisac indian market, you can buy everything you want. Good luck with your trip
WORCESTERDUDE is offline  
Old Feb 17th, 2011, 06:50 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My caution about buying alpaca in markets is that there are fake labels floating around out there. Make sure you do a touch test. Alpaca should be very soft; baby alpaca should be even softer. If the fabric feels rough, there's likely sheep or llama wool blended in there. If it's silky rather than soft, then that's probably a polyester blend.

Bottom line is that if you find something you like, that's what matters.
Jeff_Costa_Rica is offline  
Old Mar 12th, 2011, 06:03 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks guys, I too have been thinking of doing Moray and maybe the Pisac ruins too, apart from the market. Can't wait to get there...!
geetika is offline  
Old Mar 12th, 2011, 08:00 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,528
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Should be able to do El Albergue Ollantaytambo for your budget. It makes for a convenient day trip to MP since it's on the platform.

My advice if you want to bargain is to listen in on a Spanish speaking tourist if possible. There is a gringo price and then the Peruvian price for souveniers.

If you want the type of alpaca sweater sold by the high end shops I'd do a bit of online research, you may find they are not necessarily the bargain you imagine.
mlgb is offline  
Old Mar 15th, 2011, 07:14 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@mlgb: Thanks for the tip about souvenirs, neither of us speaks spanish but I guess that shouldn't be too much of a problem. @jeff: is there any link where I can access your info on alpaca products, apart from the Fodor's Peru guide? I do want to buy a couple of good sweaters for the two of us and then some cheaper ones my nieces and nephews, even if they're machine-made.

We'll be taking the Inka Express bus to Puno, we have two evenings there, anything special we should see/do there? We'll be doing the Lake Titicaca tour on our full day at Puno.

On our return we have a full day at Lima, our flight out is at midnight. We have a half day sightseeing, what else could we do, maybe just wander around Miraflores? Woud really appreciate your input.
geetika is offline  
Old Mar 15th, 2011, 09:07 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,528
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are lots of the double decker tour busses, better than wandering aimlessly in charmless Miraflores. Lots of info here http://www.limaeasy.com/fun_in_lima/...rs_mirabus.php

If you want to wander on your own, leave the luggage at the airport, catch a taxi to the Plaza de Armas,review a guidebook for what to see there, but include the San Francisco
http://www.limaeasy.com/lima_distric...ity_center.php
I like to wander in the streets west of the Plaza, you may stumble upon the street of jewelry fixings, and there are jewelry and ceramics shops on the west side of the Plaza near the municipal buildings. There is also a branch of Tanta there (a Gaston Acurio restaurant), have a limonada or perhaps lunch, or if it still early you could taxi to Kapallaq for a splurge ceviche and seafood late lunch, about half way between the Plaza and the coast (reserve if possible)
http://www.livinginperu.com/gastronomy/features-411

After that if you are up for a museum there is Museo Larco, with amazing Moche ceramics and gold, not to mention the x-rated section.

I enjoyed the illuminated fountains in Parque de la Reserva, they start approx 4:30 pm but only Weds-Sun. You don't have to be on a tour or wait for the laser show, and it's only 4 Soles per person admission.

Leave for the airport a bit over 3 hours prior to your flight, it can take a good hour to get there. If you end your day at the Larcomar Mall or the Marriott opposite, you should have no trouble finding an approved airport taxi. It is also faster to the airport along the coast road rather than trying to do it from central Lima.
mlgb is offline  
Old Mar 15th, 2011, 11:18 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'll be there in mid april as well, here's hoping for good weather!
ncounty is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bendivertx
South America
4
Jan 24th, 2019 11:35 AM
burry
South America
13
Mar 23rd, 2016 01:51 PM
megsb11
South America
8
Jan 10th, 2016 11:21 AM
ss
South America
3
Aug 4th, 2011 10:20 AM
flygirl
South America
6
Nov 3rd, 2010 05:15 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -