Just back from 2 weeks in Peru - A different kind of trip report
Mar 11th, 2009, 12:45 PM
#21
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I believe it told us on our PeruRail receipt to pick them up in Cuzco. Then I saw another Fodor posting where someone wrote that departures from Ollanta needed to pick up tickets in Cuzco as well. Maybe it's because the Ollanta office is not open as often? I don't really know. But I'd double check with an email to perurail.com - they'll get back to you in a few days and then you'll know for sure where to pick them up!
Mar 19th, 2009, 07:02 AM
#22
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Hi lori/wasigan 
We have decided to go with a tour for Peru (10days)
below is our detailed itinerary - can please give us your opinion?
Do you think we missed out on anything? and do you think the
schedule is a bit tight?
appreciate your help
p.s. I'll also be posting this message in the main forum
Day 1:
Flight from NY-Lima then connecting flight to Arequipa (3 hour layover at the airport)
In the afternoon Arequipa City Tour
The monastery of Santa Catalina, Parade Ground, The Cathedral, The cloisters, Church and Polychrome dome of the Jesus countryside, Colonial district of Yanahuara, Church and square of San Francisco, the neighborhood of San Lázaro and the Gully of Chinilla.
(one night stay in Arequipa)
Day 2:
08:30am departure to Colca Valley, along the way will pass for the Chachani volcano; will see beautiful landscapes and snowcapped, The National Vicunas Reserve: Pampa Cañahuas, also will make some stops in: Patapampa to watch its extraordinary wildlife, Pampas of Tokra and the viewpoint of the Andes,
(one night stay in Colca Valley)
Day 3:
Very early breakfast at the Hotel to then go towards to the “Cruz Del Cóndor” from where we will appreciate the Cañon of Colca and the flight of the condor; also the Pre- Inca hinging tombs and little villages: Maca, Yanque.
In the afternoon departure to the city of Puno by BUS
(one night stay in Puno)
Day 4:
Breakfast at the Hotel and pick out from the Port of Puno to visit one of the floating Islands: Uros continuing our trip to go to Taquile Island then return to puno
(one night stay in Puno)
Day 5:
Flight Juliaca / Cusco. Arrive to Cusco.
afternoon City Tour will visit: Main streets, Parade ground, Cathedral, Koricancha Temple and visit to the archeological parks: Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qénqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambo Machay.
(one night stay in Cuzco)
Day 6:
Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visit to the craft fair of Pisac, Yucay, citadel of Urubamba, Archeological park of Ollantaytambo, Cloister of Chincheros church. Buffet lunch
In the afternoon transfer to the Hotel
(one night stay in Urubamba)
Day 7:
Breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to the station to get into the train to Aguas Calientes - afternoon tour to MACHU PICHU
(One night in Aguas Calientes)
Day 8:
Today come back to Machupicchu to trek to Huaynapicchu.
In the afternoon return by train to Cusco.
(one night stay in Cuzco)
Day 9:
Flight Cusco to Lima
Afternoon City tour visiting: San Martín Square, Main Square, Government Palace, Basilica Cathedral, Arzobispal Palace, Municipal Palace, church of San Francisco
(one night stay in Lima)
Day 10:
Breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to the bus station (04:00amAprox) to leave in Minivan to the City of Nazca. Arrival to the aerodrome to make the over flight of the mysterious and enigmatic Lines of Nasca. Lunch and suitable time (13:30 Aprox) return to Lima – Airport, arrive 20:30 then fly out LIMA-NY
We have decided to go with a tour for Peru (10days)
below is our detailed itinerary - can please give us your opinion?
Do you think we missed out on anything? and do you think the
schedule is a bit tight?
appreciate your help
p.s. I'll also be posting this message in the main forum
Day 1:
Flight from NY-Lima then connecting flight to Arequipa (3 hour layover at the airport)
In the afternoon Arequipa City Tour
The monastery of Santa Catalina, Parade Ground, The Cathedral, The cloisters, Church and Polychrome dome of the Jesus countryside, Colonial district of Yanahuara, Church and square of San Francisco, the neighborhood of San Lázaro and the Gully of Chinilla.
(one night stay in Arequipa)
Day 2:
08:30am departure to Colca Valley, along the way will pass for the Chachani volcano; will see beautiful landscapes and snowcapped, The National Vicunas Reserve: Pampa Cañahuas, also will make some stops in: Patapampa to watch its extraordinary wildlife, Pampas of Tokra and the viewpoint of the Andes,
(one night stay in Colca Valley)
Day 3:
Very early breakfast at the Hotel to then go towards to the “Cruz Del Cóndor” from where we will appreciate the Cañon of Colca and the flight of the condor; also the Pre- Inca hinging tombs and little villages: Maca, Yanque.
In the afternoon departure to the city of Puno by BUS
(one night stay in Puno)
Day 4:
Breakfast at the Hotel and pick out from the Port of Puno to visit one of the floating Islands: Uros continuing our trip to go to Taquile Island then return to puno
(one night stay in Puno)
Day 5:
Flight Juliaca / Cusco. Arrive to Cusco.
afternoon City Tour will visit: Main streets, Parade ground, Cathedral, Koricancha Temple and visit to the archeological parks: Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Qénqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambo Machay.
(one night stay in Cuzco)
Day 6:
Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visit to the craft fair of Pisac, Yucay, citadel of Urubamba, Archeological park of Ollantaytambo, Cloister of Chincheros church. Buffet lunch
In the afternoon transfer to the Hotel
(one night stay in Urubamba)
Day 7:
Breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to the station to get into the train to Aguas Calientes - afternoon tour to MACHU PICHU
(One night in Aguas Calientes)
Day 8:
Today come back to Machupicchu to trek to Huaynapicchu.
In the afternoon return by train to Cusco.
(one night stay in Cuzco)
Day 9:
Flight Cusco to Lima
Afternoon City tour visiting: San Martín Square, Main Square, Government Palace, Basilica Cathedral, Arzobispal Palace, Municipal Palace, church of San Francisco
(one night stay in Lima)
Day 10:
Breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to the bus station (04:00amAprox) to leave in Minivan to the City of Nazca. Arrival to the aerodrome to make the over flight of the mysterious and enigmatic Lines of Nasca. Lunch and suitable time (13:30 Aprox) return to Lima – Airport, arrive 20:30 then fly out LIMA-NY
Mar 29th, 2009, 01:03 PM
#23
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Hi alc1974,
Sorry it took me a while to respond. That's an ambitious schedule! I guess it ultimately depends on how you like to travel. We spent a minimum of 2 nights at each place we stayed, but mostly stayed 3 nights. I noticed that with this itinerary, you'll spend just one night at each place. That alone is aggressive, but what struck me was the pace of the day tours. For instance, the "afternoon tour" in Arequipa covered 8 or 9 places. For US, the Convent alone took a half day in itself. So again, if you're ok seeing a lot of things in a short amount of time, this could work (I think it's STILL aggressive even if you like to cover a lot of ground!) But if you tend to linger for lots of photo ops, then I would recommend cutting out a couple of stops.
I'd check out the guidebooks and make a list of your must-sees. You may not even want to see everything that is listed on these day tours. One thing I might omit is the trip to Nasca. We did not do this as a separate trip, but heard from MANY travelers that the trip from Lima to Nasca was 5 hours in the van, that the flight over the lines was fair to OK, depending on weather, and that overall it was too long a day to see so little. You may consider spending another day in Cuzco.
I hope this was helpful.
Sorry it took me a while to respond. That's an ambitious schedule! I guess it ultimately depends on how you like to travel. We spent a minimum of 2 nights at each place we stayed, but mostly stayed 3 nights. I noticed that with this itinerary, you'll spend just one night at each place. That alone is aggressive, but what struck me was the pace of the day tours. For instance, the "afternoon tour" in Arequipa covered 8 or 9 places. For US, the Convent alone took a half day in itself. So again, if you're ok seeing a lot of things in a short amount of time, this could work (I think it's STILL aggressive even if you like to cover a lot of ground!) But if you tend to linger for lots of photo ops, then I would recommend cutting out a couple of stops.
I'd check out the guidebooks and make a list of your must-sees. You may not even want to see everything that is listed on these day tours. One thing I might omit is the trip to Nasca. We did not do this as a separate trip, but heard from MANY travelers that the trip from Lima to Nasca was 5 hours in the van, that the flight over the lines was fair to OK, depending on weather, and that overall it was too long a day to see so little. You may consider spending another day in Cuzco.
I hope this was helpful.
Apr 12th, 2009, 08:03 AM
#24
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My husband and I are travelling to Peru next month. He is a Peruvian national and I am Irish-American (translate "really fair haired and will not blend really well). My husband's family is assisting us planning our trip. Our nephew works in the travel industry (supposedly). Our nephew says that when I present my documents I will have "trouble" - which translates to inflated pricing. Did you notice any of that? I am looking forward to the trip regardless. My stay is only a week (3 days with family outside of Lima) and the balance at Cusco and Aguas Calientes. I know what I can expect but should I expect any "more surprises?"
Any input greatly appreciated.
Pat Jimenez
Any input greatly appreciated.
Pat Jimenez
Apr 12th, 2009, 12:07 PM
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If you're still checking this forum wasigan, I just wanted to compliment you on your photos. Very nice work! I'm heading to Peru next month and your photo gallery is just what I need to kick the anticipation into high gear!
Loved your Costa Rica galleries as well.
Loved your Costa Rica galleries as well.
Apr 25th, 2009, 11:50 AM
#26
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cmerrell - glad you enjoyed my photos and that they inspired you for your trip!
psullivan319 - I'm not sure I understand how you could be overcharged for anything that you'd have to present documents for! Do you mean at Customs? Or for retail items? We never felt we were overcharged or taken advantage of (we're both Italian American - not Irish fair). Although, how would we really know if we're traveling together with no locals around us, right? We'd have no frame of reference unless we waited to see what the locals were charged. Even then I imagine I wouldn't understand them completely anyway. My thought is....even if you're occasionally overcharged slightly because your a non-Peruvian, just relax and chalk it up to experience. It's a beautiful country and you'll have a great time.
psullivan319 - I'm not sure I understand how you could be overcharged for anything that you'd have to present documents for! Do you mean at Customs? Or for retail items? We never felt we were overcharged or taken advantage of (we're both Italian American - not Irish fair). Although, how would we really know if we're traveling together with no locals around us, right? We'd have no frame of reference unless we waited to see what the locals were charged. Even then I imagine I wouldn't understand them completely anyway. My thought is....even if you're occasionally overcharged slightly because your a non-Peruvian, just relax and chalk it up to experience. It's a beautiful country and you'll have a great time.
Apr 26th, 2009, 08:02 AM
#27
psullivan...the only inflation I really noticed is an unofficial "gringo price" for taxis and food purchases from vendors. For tickets into attractions, there are also posted separate official higher prices for nonresident "extranjeros". You might not fare as well in bargaining in markets. I still though Peru was an affordable location, with the exception of the admissions charges around the Sacred Valley and MP.
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