bellalinda

I was able to squeeze an extra 12 days between Colombia and meeting a friend in the Galapagos and found the cheapest flight from where I will be, on the way to Quito is to Lima. Having never been to Machu Picchu, I booked the flight and now I am committed - yea. Love this kind of travel.
What I have found out in the past few days though, is the same thing most folk find out when they book before they plan - not enough time ! I doubt I will be this way again and so I am trying to squeeze in as much as I can, even though I usually try to spend at least a week in each place, this will be a fast trip. I know I am on the well traveled Gringo trail, but it is a popular route for a reason so I am just asking if any one has any ideas or pointers regarding this fast, fast itinerary.

Day 1 -Arrive Lima 9pm - hostel near the beach in Miraflores
Day 2- check out the beach walk, then back to the airport for Cusco flight in the afternoon. Go straight to Ollantaytambo
Day 3- Aclimatise, and perhaps see Maras, Moray & Chinchero - 2nd night in Ollanta
Day 4 -I have booked my Aguas Caliente rail trip for 4:30 this day so am hoping to see more of Ollanta in the morning or I would really like to do the bike ride down from Ambra Malaga Pass but cannot seem to find any info online. Sleep in AC
Day 5 - Early to MP - Afternoon train to Ollanta and then collectivo (is there one) hopefully to Cusco. Sleep in Cusco
Day 6 - Cusco Pisac
Day 7 - Cusco Saqsayhuaman
Day 8 - Tourist Bus to Puno (Wonder Peru)
Day 9- Not sure how this will go but the plan is to wander down to the dock and see if I feel compelled to go out to the islands for a day trip- I will. Second night Puno.
Day 10 - Pick up from Killawasi Lodge for tour to Colca Valley. Sleep at Lodge.
Day 11- More Colca and taken to Arequipa by Lodge- I love this part, where I get picked up, toured around and dropped somewhere new.
Day 12- I need to be in Lima tonight for my early flight to Quito next morning so am hoping to get a late afternoon or evening flight and just wander around Arequipa for the day- not sure.
Does this sound exhausting !? I keep telling myself it will be fine,

crellston

Does this sound exhausting? - YES! Will it be fine? Probably - providing everything goes to plan ( not always the case in Peru!) ! Only you know if you will be happy with your travelling style.

I don't know of "Wonder Peru" but have done the. Cusco -Puno trip a couple of times. Once on the regular bus ( not great) and once with the Inka Express ( superb). I presume WP is similar to the latter. If so there is a lot to see along the way.

I would definitely go for a trip on the lake. The floating islands are very touristy but definitely worth it. Indeed it would seem pointless to go all that way and not take a trip on the lake. It will be very easy just to turn up at the dock and jump on one of the boats. I would also go to Tacquile island.

Acclimatisation. Going straight to Ollantaytambo will help a lot as will your time in Columbia ( if at altitude). Moray is significantly higher than Ollantaytambo but should be ok as you will visit during the day and only for a short time.

I would visit Sacsayhuaman on the way back from Pisac. Get the bus back to Cusco but ask to be dropped of at Tambo Machay and hike back downhill to Sacsayhuaman along the old. Inca paths. Takes around 2-3 hours. Great views, and places of interest along the way. From Sacsayhuaman, it is a short walk back down through San Blas into Cusco.
A link to my blog with more detail and photos of that hike http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...8907/tpod.html

Can't comment on Colca as we didn't make it dues to an earthquake. Arequipa is a great places to wander around. Don't miss Santa Catalina convent

bellalinda

Thank you for taking the time to reply - I know there is not a lot to add to this tight itinerary, but nothing is set in stone and your logistical suggestion of going to Sacsayhuaman on the way back from Pisac and tip not to miss Santa Catalina covent in Arequipa are very helpful. I will take a look at your blog now.

sf7307

and then collectivo (is there one)

Many!! I think it was 10 soles.

mlgb

KB Tambo does the Abra Malaga bike trip from Ollantaytambo

http://kbperu.com/tours/mountain-bik...e/abra-malaga/

He also offers some transportation options between Ollanta and various places
http://kbperu.com/more-info/transportation/

Some other ideas:

Day 3 see the Ollantaytambo ruins and town, rather than the side trip to Moray/Salineras/Chinchero.

Day 4 the bike trip if you can get it in the morning. Or maybe you can do it Day 3 in the afternoon? Take a later train back if needed.

Day 5 After MP, I would spend the night in Ollantaytambo.

Day 6 in the morning to a taxi/tour transfer to Cusco, stopping at Moray/Salineras and Chinchero on the way. They don't take long. Another fun stop near Maras is Descanso Bar (assuming she is still there!), the lady samples chicha, you can play sapo and see her pretty kitchen.

https://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifan...22675574289586
https://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifan...22856224666338

You could also check in to a Pisac hotel, then do Pisac ruins in the afternoon. It's even possible to stay in Pisac, which is pretty nice after the tourists leave.

Day 6 and 7 Cusco.

Killawasi Lodge is in Yanque (you make it sound like they are in Puno.) The tourist bus is 4-M Express to Chivay. They pickup in Puno approx 6:15 am and arrive lunchtime in Chivay. In the afternoon you can go on a hike from Killawasi if you are up for it.

I assume Killawasi is putting you on 4-M Express for both legs. And probably putting you on a tour company bus (Colonial?) to see the condors in the morning. Killawasi and 4-M are both fine, Colonial is a big pool tour company.

I always like to be in Lima the night before a flight out. I probably would try to drop a day somewhere and move everything up a day. Probably I would sleep the night you arrive near the airport, and take a morning flight to Cusco. On Day 2 see the Ollantaytambo ruins and acclimatize. Day trip to MP on Day 4. Bus to Puno Day 7 etc.

bellalinda

mlgb - thank you for your thoughtful tweaking !!
Such a good idea to stay in Ollantaytambo the night after MP and stop to see Moray enroute to Cusco - no backtracking.

And thank you for KB Tambo link - I will check those out shortly.

Descanso Bar now on the list - fun to see those pics!

re Kilawasi- sorry if this sounded confusing - I do know they sub contract out the driving part, but as I booked through them and am staying with them and they are arranging my hotel pick up, it is easier to refer to that leg as 'they are picking me up'.
It costs $145.00USD ($160.00-single supplement) to do this 2 day/1 night tour through Kilawasi. Included is pick up at hotel in Puno 6:15am day 1, drop off at hotel in Arequipa 5pm day 2, 3 hour guided tour in Colca (other extra cost excursions can be added) plus my single "Junior Suite" (ha) room with a view at the lodge night of day 1

If I had booked these separately it would have been $50.00USD each leg with 4m and $75.00 for the room - plus hotel transfers and extra cost to be driven into the canyon for a guided hike.
The total cost would be closer to $200USD compared to my $160USD and a few more hassles. That is why I mentioned the lodge.

I did consider an early Cusco flight on the first day but they were only very early and with the evening arrival the night before, I decided on the afternoon departure- plus I found a fun place to stay which is right by the beach for a morning walk, is cheap and of course way more relaxed.

Any ideas any one for an Arequipa Hotel??

mlgb

I stayed at Casa de Melgar in the old part of Arequipa. This is one of the old sillar mansions. You could try writing to them directly through the link on their website and see if they charge less than via booking.com The hotel is a little short on modern amenities, English speakers and can be cold, but I loved the architecture and the breakfast was good. Also a very good location within walking distance of the Catalina monastery. Toward the bottom of this album are a bunch of photos of the courtyard in Casa de Melgar.

https://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifann/Arequipa

I think it's worthwhile to stay in the old part of Arequipa if just for the one night.

bellalinda

oh ya- so glad I am going to Arequipa, even if for such a short time - thank you for sharing your pictures, and I am all about characteristic places to stay in great locations- muchas gracias for the tip !