abenedek

DH and I are taking a last minute trip to Lima to visit family, and we just couldn't go to Peru without seeing Machu Picchu! We'll fly to Cuzco from Lima early on 3/19, and fly back to Lima on 3/22. I've booked the Terra Andina Hotel in Cusco for our stay.

That being said, we'd really like to have a guide for Machi Picchu. Also, my cousins took this trip last month, and thought their guide really added to their experience, but they really disliked the shuttle bus from Cusco to Ollytantambo to catch the train. So ideally, we're looking for a guide and transfers to/from Olly to catch the train.

I've contacted some of the recommended guides and agencies I've seen recommended on here, but the agencies seem to be much more than I expected, and I'm still waiting to hear back from the 2 prominent guides I've seen recommended here.

Our hotel lists a 12 hour private tour with transfers to Olly (if no train from Polroy), Vistadome tickets, MP tickets (including the bus to/from MP) for about $558 per person for a party of 2. That seemed really high to me. Is my budget totally off?

I was anticipating the following:

around $75 for the transfers to Olly from Cusco and back
$300 for round trip train tickets for 2 (I don't really need the Vistadome level though)
$150 for MP entry and bus tickets for 2
$150 for a guide for MP

So I was thinking what I thought may be a high end of $700 total. Am I way off base here?

Also, if anyone can recommend a good driver/guide for a day around the Sacred Valley I'd appreciate it. I'm hoping to keep it around $100-$150 for a tour around the SV.

qwovadis

Contact www.apulodge.com they will set up what you need for hundreds of dollars less than you are being quoted always cut out all the middlemen to save when I go. Good tours with perubesttours.com Mike and peruforless.com also ancientsummit.com Nina.

Good luck!

abenedek

Thanks qwovadis.

I had actually contacted Mike from Peru Best Tours per your recommendation on a previous post, but was quoted $610pp ($1,220.00 total) plus the cost for train tickets. In addition to the MP tour with transfers, that included airport transfers and an afternoon tour of Cusco, but I still thought that was pretty high.

Is apulodge a hotel? We aren't staying in Olly, so we won't be staying there. Are you saying they handle tour services too?

mlgb

Just do it yourself and hire a guide at the entrance.
The problem is that private tours where you block out a guide for the entire day (to escort you to MP and back) are going to be expensive. You're also paying for his train fare and his entry fee. Plus his time.

If you want to avoid the bus take a taxi (round trip could run you more than you anticipate if you book from the hotel, that price is for something you negotiate on the fly). I'd ask the hotel what just a taxi to Olly will cost without the tour. If the price sounds too high, when you arrive at the airport you might try to find a responsible taxi to use later.

I don't think Apu Lodge will do what you are asking.

Qoricancha has guides available for hire when you visit.

abenedek

Thanks mlgb, I think that's the route we're looking to go now. I wasn't considering the cost for the train for the guide, etc.

I didn't think another hotel would make arrangements for us, that's why I was asking for clarification.

Any idea what a reasonable cost for a taxi to Olly might be? Are there taxis available at the train station in Olly to take us back to Cusco, or should we arrange for that beforehand?

Also, can anyone recommend a private guide and driver for a full day tour of the Sacred Valley?

abenedek

After my last post I got a reply from Percy, who is frequently recommended on these forums.

He's available for my dates for a SV tour and Cusco city tour, and can arrange for an MP guide for a reasonable cost. YAY!

Now if I can just figure how I'm getting to MP I'll be all set

mlgb

It has been a few years since I visited so it will be an educated guess, it also depends on your negotiation skills and supply & demand. El Albergue charges $65 for an airport pickup but that should be more than you should pay since they factor in a round trip and that the driver has to wait. Maybe around $35 to 40?

There are always taxis waiting but if you are happy with your driver there I would arrange a pickup just so no worries.

mlgb

Why not ask Percy if he can arrange a taxi driver for you, without a guide.

abenedek

great idea! Thank you for being so helpful mlgb, I really appreciate it

This trip was just decided on a few weeks ago, and I'm not used to booking/planning a trip so quickly. I'm truly thankful to have somewhere to go to ask questions and get good information.

crellston

We regularly travelled between Olly and Cusco whilst working in the SV and generally paid 50-60 NS each way. We used the same driver a number of times but when he wasn't available we had to bargain with the drivers in the square to get a similar rate (helps if you speak at least a little Spanish). That was 3 years ago and no doubt rising fuel costs and general inflation have added to this. Arranging a taxi via a guide or hotel will inevitably add to the cost. The bus is always an option if you are up for the experience!