rosebaby

I am traveling with a small group (4 of us) in October. Here are our plans so far...

Day 1 Oct 22. Arrive to Lima at 10:30 pm- overnight at hotel (unsure where because I don't like the suggested hotel from the tour company...suggestions??? Ideally some place close to the airport)

Day 2 Oct 23: Early flight to Cusco, meet tour guide and go on 1/2 day Cusco City tour

Day 3 Oct 24: all day Sacred Valley tour- arrive back to hotel around 6 pm

Day 4 Oct 25- Day 7 Oct 28th: Lares trek
Arrive back to Cusco in the evening on the 28th for dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 8 Oct 29th: morning flight to Lima....here is where it gets tricky our returning flight back home will be an overnight flight. Our flight will leave at 11:30 pm from Lima.

Any suggestions on what to do in Lima for 9 hours??
Are there any hotels that would let you book a room for 1/2 a day at a discount price?
Or is it possible to avoid booking another hotel and instead rent a storage locker at the airport to keep our bags until we return for our flight home? and how much would that cost?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

qwovadis

Ramada Del Sol in LIM only Hotel of quality

www.peru-explorer.com www.hotelclub.com for decent rates

Cusco is 11ooo ft go to SV first to adjust to altitude

or risk getting sick from altitude www.casa-andina.com SV nice

Casa Andina Classic at tha Plazawhen you finish Lares

limacabs.com take a city tour at good price around Lima

while you are waiting for your flight

mirafloresperu.com for shopping Sonia's best cebiche for food

Have fun,

mlgb

1) With 4 of you you should be able to split a room at the Ramada at the airport. Shop around for discounts.

2) No, do not book a tour Cusco on arrival. It is at 11,000 feet. Sure prescription for altitude sickness. Take it easy, see how you feel. You can go to Qoricancha on your own, there are guides for hire there.

Are your flights already booked? Can you not allow another few days before the trek for acclimatizing and sightseeing?

3) So you're not seeing Machu Picchu?

4) Yes, there is storage at Lima airport. You might check with your airline and see if it's even possible to book your bags all the way through. Lots of great museums and food in Lima, plus the Plaza de Armas. You can end at the Larcomar Mall as most Americans do, there is a safe taxi rank where you should be able to find an airport taxi. Better yet, book a pickup 3 hours ahead of your flight.

rosebaby

Thanks for your reply!!

MLGB,
our flights are not booked yet, but I had hoped to book them this week. We are on a tight schedule because one of us is a teacher and he does not have enough vacation time and has to be back to work on Monday the 31st!

We are going to Machu Piccu, it is included at the end of the Lares trek we are doing, it is an alternative Inca trail. The Inca trail is fully booked for the days that we are going to be there.

mlgb

I think you are underestimating the potential for pitfalls with such a rushed itinerary between recovering from the long flight and underestimating the effects of functioning at 11,000 feet. Be sure to consult with your Doctor about Diamox and get evacuation and medical trip insurance.

crellston

I agree with all mlgb comments re altitude and rushing the trip. We did the Lares trek in 2008 after a week of acclimatisation in Cusco and still struggled on the high passes! That said it still ranks of one of our most memorable travel experiences more detail and photos "

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...4700/tpod.html

Even if you switch your Cusco city tour and SV tour around that would help a little as it would give you a bit more time to acclimatise at the lower altitude of the SV before Cusco.

Arrival by plane and then wandering the (very steep) streets of Cusco is not going to make you feel great and could make you ill. As mlgb says checking with your doctor re Diamox is a must

globetrots

Agree with the others. The chance of all 4 of you being able to hit the ground running in Cusco is slim to none. Do the Sacred Valley first. And really, you should build in some more time, even if it means the teacher going back early. One little miss in your connections and it's all going to fall apart. Flights in and out of Cusco often get delayed or canceled because of bad weather.