Hello,
I am planning on traveling with a friend to Peru for 9 days. We will be flying into Lima and would like to acclimate to the elevation towards Machu Picchu and Cusco however do not want to spend much time in Lima (I hear there is not too much worth seeing there during a short trip like ours). Also, we want to take the train to Machu Picchu rather than hike it. Can anyone help us with our itinerary? We would like to cover anything that is worth seeing since we are there for such a short period.
Thank you all in advance!
peru itinerary
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With just 9 days I would fly straight to Cusco from Lima and then go directly to Ollantaytambo in the sacred valley to acclimatise for a few days (it is lower than Cusco)- it is a wonderful little town with lots to see and great palces to eat. You can also use Olly as a base for a few days get to the major sights in the SV - Chinchero, Maras, Moray etc. and maybe spend half a day in Pisac on the way back to Cusco. You could get the train from Olly to Aquas Calientes to spend a whole day at MP and then either return to Olly or get the train back drectly to Cusco by which time you should be acclimatised nicely. Cusco deserves at least 3 days to explore the sites, museums, and just wander the streets.
Some more deatil and photso of our time there (Entries #55-65)
http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/candcthai/1/tpod.html
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Completely agree with crellston logistically. We spent 4-5 days in then SV and at MP and still felt the altitude in Cusco. Prior to that we were in Arequipa with 2 days in Colca Canyon, which reaches a high point of 4800 meters (15,800'). Despite all that I remember vividly going up the steps to our hotel in the San Blas district in Cusco & having to stop and take rest.
Also agree with u re Lima -- didn't care for it at all.
Agree fly into Cusco and go to Urubamba in the sacred valley.
day 2 - private tour of pisac market/ruins, chinchero, Ollantaytambo
day 3 - moray maras/salineras, patacancha, then go to Olly for train to AC spend nigh
day 4 - all day in MP/HP then late afternoon train to Olly then to Cusco spend night
day 5 - Cusco city tour private or with agency
day 6 - visit andayallias, tipon, pickillacta, oropesa
day 7 - visit community qeros in a private tour
day 8 - shopping in Cusco and afternoon flight to Lima
day 9 - Lima city tour and gold museum
I agree with Crellston, also switch your days around to do the markets on Sunday (Chinchero/Pisac).
1. Fly to Cusco am and go to Ollantaytambo, rest on arrival. If you feel well see the Ollantaytambo ruins or just the old Inca Town. Visit the Awamaki store, the market, and the museo if it is open.
2. In the morning if you didn't make it to the ruins, visit before tourists. Take an excursion to Huilloc or Patacancha in the afternoon. Or do a horse ride.
http://www.leaplocal.org/goinglocal/how-to-go-local-copy/how-to-go-local-in-peru/how-to-get-to-patakancha-and-huilloc/
3. Half day Sacred Valley to catch up on anything you missed, afternoon train to MP
4. MP and the late train back, between Olly and MP. O/N in Olly.
5.After breakfast take a transfer/tour to Cusco, stopping in Chinchero, Moray and the Salineras. Lunch and half day in Cusco to tour the city.
6. From Cusco visit Pisac (including walking down from the ruins). Try to time this for a Sunday. Another half day inn Cusco.
7.You can visit some of the other ruins around Cusco, eg Sacsayhuaman, Tipon etc.
8. Fly back to Lima the day before. Things to see in Lima include Plaza de Armas, San Francisco Convent, Larco Museum, Park Kennedy, Indian Markets for last minute shopping, Parque del Amor, eating ceviche for lunch, double decker bus tour, Barranco neighborhood and Pedro de Osma, Amano museum (reservation needed, afternoons only). I happen to like Lima very much. It has changed quite a bit in the last few years. A good website for Lima is www.limaeasy.com. In the evening see the Magical Water circuit or a show. There are tours that include these if you are not an independent traveler but they can easily be done on your own with a driver, or on foot and using the Metropolitano.
9. Fly back home (with day in Lima, depart about 3.5 hours pre flight.)