yestravel

In the beginning stages of planning our Spring trip to Peru. Trying to decide on the order of places we go. Right now we're thinking Lima to Arequipa for a few days and then into Cola Canyon. Flight to Cusco from Arequipo and go directly to Otland for a few days. We would take the train from Otland and visit Macchu Pichhu from there. Return to Otland for a night. Then go back to Cusco for a few days before returning to Lima. We thought going to Arequipa first might help with alitutde accllimation since its only at about 7,200 ft (although we know Cola Canyon has spots that get way up there.) Does this make sense and is it workable? thanks for your advice

Jeff_Costa_Rica

I'm not sure what you mean by "Otland." Do you mean "Ollantaytambo," or "Ollanta" for short? If that's the case, you'd fly from Arequipa to Cusco and then go to Ollanta for a few days.

yestravel

Sorry, yes Ollanta is what I meant. And yea, we would fly between Arequipa and Cusco. can we go from the airport in Cusco to a train to get to Ollanta on the same day?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Not the same day by train. The trains leave Cusco very early in the morning, like 6-6:30. Your flight would not have arrived by then. A taxi could take you out there, or maybe the hotel where you plan to stay could arrange a transfer from the airport to Ollanta.

yestravel

Thanks, Jeff-- are there any villages in the Sacred Valley that you esp recommend visting and/or staying in?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Ollantaytambo, where it sounds like you plan to stay, is a good base for the Sacred Valley. Pisac is interesting for its market, held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

mwgreen

We did pretty much the trip you describe. Lima, Arequipa, Puno (Lake Titicaca((which you are not visiting, Cusco 1 day, Ollantaytambo 2 days (including visit to Machu Pichu), Cusco 2 days, Lima one day. It's not that expensive to go to ollantaytambo by taxi and you can see many interesting sites along the way. The taxi driver will be glad to do so. You'll have to bargain about the amount of stops & time, etc., but many drivers actually are pretty good tour guides. Some are not.

yestravel

Thanks, Jeff and mwgreen. mwgreen, when were you there?

mwgreen12

We were there in the middle of July.

claire_david2

Another vote for overnighting in Ollantaytambo. The Pakaritatampu Hotel is quite lovely, less than $100, and just a short walk to the train station for those early morning MP trains. One plus with this is that if you can get to MP early, you'll miss the afternoon crowds. Try for the left side of the train. Claire