Our report from 1 week exploring Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Nov 2nd, 2007, 09:18 PM
#22
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Lisa, nothing like such travel and life compatibility!
I've often noted, while traveling or at restaurants, how some married couples just sit there and barely look at each other! much less enjoy viewing and discussing together what they've seen. You two are the polar opposite.
Karen, I agree about Zenfolio, even if I'm biased toward pbase.com which has no ads and quite a lot of flexibility. The new, simple automated front-page slideshows of our choice are nice too.
But I really enjoyed your Zenfolio site. Largely due to your pics, I think!
- Andrys
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/abtravels
I've often noted, while traveling or at restaurants, how some married couples just sit there and barely look at each other! much less enjoy viewing and discussing together what they've seen. You two are the polar opposite.
Karen, I agree about Zenfolio, even if I'm biased toward pbase.com which has no ads and quite a lot of flexibility. The new, simple automated front-page slideshows of our choice are nice too.
But I really enjoyed your Zenfolio site. Largely due to your pics, I think!
- Andrys
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/abtravels
Nov 3rd, 2007, 07:06 AM
#23
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andrys,
We do feel so fortunate to really enjoy each other's company...especially whilst traveling the world
Your site is very impressive!
The slideshow is really nice!
Karen,
I really loved your site! That's what gave me the idea to try to find a new one for me. We certainly are interested in zenfolio and it is one we're considering.
We've just been busy with other stuff lately and haven't had a chance to work on it...it might be awhile before I actually get around to it.
But thanks for the recommendation.
We do feel so fortunate to really enjoy each other's company...especially whilst traveling the world
Your site is very impressive!
The slideshow is really nice!
Karen,
I really loved your site! That's what gave me the idea to try to find a new one for me. We certainly are interested in zenfolio and it is one we're considering.
We've just been busy with other stuff lately and haven't had a chance to work on it...it might be awhile before I actually get around to it.
But thanks for the recommendation.
Nov 7th, 2007, 11:14 PM
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Loved your post; very inspirational. Your pictures are wonderful and I enjoyed looking at many of your other trips too. We have been to several of the same places and I really enjoyed seeing them through your lens. One question: How do you manage to make these wonderful locales look so uncrowded and fresh? Isn't that what we travellers all crave - the sensation that we're seeing 'IT' while its still unspoiled? Your photos wonderfully create the feeling that each place exists just for the two of you - that you are perennially 'off the beaten path'.
With your photographer's eye, you would LOVE India. Everywhere you look there's a feast for the eye and the soul.
Thanks for the great report. Happy trails to you!
With your photographer's eye, you would LOVE India. Everywhere you look there's a feast for the eye and the soul.
Thanks for the great report. Happy trails to you!
Nov 8th, 2007, 04:20 AM
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notinirvineanymore,
Thank you so much for those nice words!!!
You just made my day!!!
I am such a novice at this photography thing, but I enjoy it so much!! It is so nice to hear that people actually think my photos are good!!
As for making the locales seem uncrowded...well, we do tend to travel in shoulder seasons (or even off season), so that helps.
Also, I'm the kind of person that will stand there for many minutes (or however long it takes) until every last person has walked by so that they're not in my shot)
Poor hubby...I can't imagine how many hours he has just stood there waiting for me to get the perfect shot...he's a trooper.
Another thing is that one of our favorite things is to actually wander "off the beaten path".
I can't count the number of times that we end up in some part of town and we say to ourselves, "We're the only tourists!"
That's usually when we're having the most fun and seeing the most interesting things!! And isn't that what it's all about, anyway
As for India, believe me it is ON THE LIST!! From everything I've seen and read about it, it sounds like it is a spectacle of sights, sounds and smells!
Thanks again for the feedback!
Happy, safe travels>-
Lisa
Thank you so much for those nice words!!!
You just made my day!!!
I am such a novice at this photography thing, but I enjoy it so much!! It is so nice to hear that people actually think my photos are good!!
As for making the locales seem uncrowded...well, we do tend to travel in shoulder seasons (or even off season), so that helps.
Also, I'm the kind of person that will stand there for many minutes (or however long it takes) until every last person has walked by so that they're not in my shot)
Poor hubby...I can't imagine how many hours he has just stood there waiting for me to get the perfect shot...he's a trooper.
Another thing is that one of our favorite things is to actually wander "off the beaten path".
I can't count the number of times that we end up in some part of town and we say to ourselves, "We're the only tourists!"
That's usually when we're having the most fun and seeing the most interesting things!! And isn't that what it's all about, anyway
As for India, believe me it is ON THE LIST!! From everything I've seen and read about it, it sounds like it is a spectacle of sights, sounds and smells!
Thanks again for the feedback!
Happy, safe travels
>-Lisa
Nov 10th, 2007, 02:32 PM
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Lisa, thanks for the report. We will probably mimic your itinerary for the first part of our trip. How do we get to the Sacred Valley, etc without renting a car? Are there buses or can we take a taxi? Could we get off at the Awana Kancha Exh. Centre and Pisac? Thanks for the help. Loved your pictures. JM
Nov 11th, 2007, 09:13 AM
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JAGM,
I can't help too much with information on buses and taxis since we did it on our own, other than to say that I'm pretty sure you can use either.
I know it's common to hire a driver and he'll take you all around the Sacred Valley.
Check out this thread from Karen, who used a driver named Percy:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=6
I'm sure she'll give you his contact info as she highly recommended him.
Good luck and happy, safe travels.
>- Lisa
I can't help too much with information on buses and taxis since we did it on our own, other than to say that I'm pretty sure you can use either.
I know it's common to hire a driver and he'll take you all around the Sacred Valley.
Check out this thread from Karen, who used a driver named Percy:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=6
I'm sure she'll give you his contact info as she highly recommended him.
Good luck and happy, safe travels.
>- Lisa
Nov 11th, 2007, 09:16 AM
#32
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OOPS...I don't think I got all of that link.
Here it is again:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35080146
Here it is again:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35080146
Dec 20th, 2007, 07:38 AM
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Lisa, I have enjoyed this trip report and have read it several times.
You mention that you bought the Boleto Turistico. I will assume that you got that in Cusco. Did you notice if it is available for purchase at Pisac?
We will arrive Cusco airport and have a driver take us to Ollantaytambo and would like to visit the ruins at Pisac on the way.
For us, at least one stop is required in Cusco, at Haunchaq train station (near the airport), to pay for and collect our reserved Perurail tickets. It would be more straight-forward, if we could get the Boleto Turistico at the Pisac ruins and avoid the additional stop in Cusco. Having little idea of our ability to communicate with our, as yet unknown, driver; I feel that a simpler itinerary for the day is best.
I do realize that there are several different places in Cusco that sell the Boleto Turistico and perhaps this stop would not be out of the way if we need to do so.
Perhaps someone can weigh in on this.
Gracias,
Rod
You mention that you bought the Boleto Turistico. I will assume that you got that in Cusco. Did you notice if it is available for purchase at Pisac?
We will arrive Cusco airport and have a driver take us to Ollantaytambo and would like to visit the ruins at Pisac on the way.
For us, at least one stop is required in Cusco, at Haunchaq train station (near the airport), to pay for and collect our reserved Perurail tickets. It would be more straight-forward, if we could get the Boleto Turistico at the Pisac ruins and avoid the additional stop in Cusco. Having little idea of our ability to communicate with our, as yet unknown, driver; I feel that a simpler itinerary for the day is best.
I do realize that there are several different places in Cusco that sell the Boleto Turistico and perhaps this stop would not be out of the way if we need to do so.
Perhaps someone can weigh in on this.
Gracias,
Rod
Dec 20th, 2007, 11:52 AM
#34
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Thanks Rod and glad you enjoyed my report.
As far as buying the boleto turistico in Pisac, I do not have firsthand knowledge of this, but this is what I found in my Frommer's Guidebook:
"The boleto turistico is pretty much essential for visiting the Sacred Valley, in particular for the ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, as well as the market and town of Chinchero. You can purchase it at any of those places if you haven't already bought it in Cusco before traveling to the Valley."
So, that's what the book says. Hopefully someone will confirm this from firsthand experience, because much to my chagrin, sometimes the books do give erroneous information.
Good luck and happy, safe travels.
>-
As far as buying the boleto turistico in Pisac, I do not have firsthand knowledge of this, but this is what I found in my Frommer's Guidebook:
"The boleto turistico is pretty much essential for visiting the Sacred Valley, in particular for the ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, as well as the market and town of Chinchero. You can purchase it at any of those places if you haven't already bought it in Cusco before traveling to the Valley."
So, that's what the book says. Hopefully someone will confirm this from firsthand experience, because much to my chagrin, sometimes the books do give erroneous information.
Good luck and happy, safe travels.
>-
Dec 27th, 2007, 05:51 PM
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your report was very helpful....especially all the hotel details. i'm trying to narrow down hotels for our may trip.
did you feel like you needed more time at macu picchu or that one day was enough?
did you feel like you needed more time at macu picchu or that one day was enough?
Dec 28th, 2007, 06:47 AM
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Thanks ared, and glad you found the report helpful.
As far as one day at Machu Picchu;
We felt like it was enough for us.
If you do not plan to hike up Huayna Picchu, then I would definitely say one day is enough, since that hike alone takes 2 hours or so.
Admittedly, we did not explore every nook and cranny of the site, but our legs were so tired at the end of the day, that, after hitting all the major highlights we felt like that was enough.
I can certainly see why you might want to spend an extra day...that way you could do the hike, and take your good, sweet time exploring the whole site.
But, be advised that you will have to pay for a full price ticket both days.
We were satisfied with the one full day.
Good luck and no matter what you decide you will be amazed and have an experience to remember for a lifetime!
Happy, safe travels.
>-
As far as one day at Machu Picchu;
We felt like it was enough for us.
If you do not plan to hike up Huayna Picchu, then I would definitely say one day is enough, since that hike alone takes 2 hours or so.
Admittedly, we did not explore every nook and cranny of the site, but our legs were so tired at the end of the day, that, after hitting all the major highlights we felt like that was enough.
I can certainly see why you might want to spend an extra day...that way you could do the hike, and take your good, sweet time exploring the whole site.
But, be advised that you will have to pay for a full price ticket both days.
We were satisfied with the one full day.
Good luck and no matter what you decide you will be amazed and have an experience to remember for a lifetime!
Happy, safe travels.
>-
Jan 24th, 2008, 11:10 AM
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Lisa, I have found this trip report & Karen & Julie's instrumental in attempting to schedule a trip to Peru the last week in May/first week in June, so thanks! I would love some feedback on our itinerary. We were thinking the following:
After arriving in Cuzco, traveling directly to Ollytantambo
Day 1&2 - 2 nights in Olly (would like to see salt pans, Moray, ruins at Olly and town of Olly. Could we fit Pisac into this?)
Day 3 - Train to Aquas Callientes for Machu Picchu. Overnight in AC
Day 4 - Spend additional ½ day at MP and then head to Pisac, Overnight in Pisac
Day 5 - Tour ruins & town of Pisac, head to Cuzco in afternoon, Overnight in Cuzco
Day 6 - Tour city of Cuzco, with a second overnight in Cuzco
Day 7 - AM bus or flight to Puno with overnight there
Day 8 - AM boat for a homestay overnight
Day 9 - Return to Puno & overnight in Puno
Day 10 - Flight to Lima
Two questions - 1. is it possible to consolidate day 5 & 6 (i.e. can we fit Pisac into days 1&2), or would we be rushed and have to miss sights? 2. after a homestay, do we need to overnight in Puno on Day 9?
Again, thanks in advance for your help - these boards are tremendously useful!
After arriving in Cuzco, traveling directly to Ollytantambo
Day 1&2 - 2 nights in Olly (would like to see salt pans, Moray, ruins at Olly and town of Olly. Could we fit Pisac into this?)
Day 3 - Train to Aquas Callientes for Machu Picchu. Overnight in AC
Day 4 - Spend additional ½ day at MP and then head to Pisac, Overnight in Pisac
Day 5 - Tour ruins & town of Pisac, head to Cuzco in afternoon, Overnight in Cuzco
Day 6 - Tour city of Cuzco, with a second overnight in Cuzco
Day 7 - AM bus or flight to Puno with overnight there
Day 8 - AM boat for a homestay overnight
Day 9 - Return to Puno & overnight in Puno
Day 10 - Flight to Lima
Two questions - 1. is it possible to consolidate day 5 & 6 (i.e. can we fit Pisac into days 1&2), or would we be rushed and have to miss sights? 2. after a homestay, do we need to overnight in Puno on Day 9?
Again, thanks in advance for your help - these boards are tremendously useful!
Jan 24th, 2008, 01:40 PM
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Hello everyone. My husband and I are going to the sacred valley in June as well. Here is our itinerary. Any input on our planning would be appreciated. We like to hike and are doing this visit as much for the hiking as for the beauty and history of the ruins/area.
We arrive @ Cusco and head via taxi to to Ollantaytambo, with stops at Chinchero, Maras and Moray. We'll stay in Ollanta at the Hostal Sauce for 3 nights and use it as a base for local hikes/drives/exploration in the area.
Next we head to Aquas Calientes, taking the morning Vista Dome train and we want to hike up to Winay Wayna if possible (anyone know if this is possible from Aquas Calientes, and, if so, do we need to pay a Machu Picchu entrance fee?). We'll spend the night in AC at the Wiracocha Inn then get the first bus @5:30/6am to MP and spend the day exploring MP and hiking up/down Huayna Picchu/Una Picchu and catch the 3:25pm Vistadome train to Cusco. I'm wondering if we maybe should hike HP the day before -- maybe too much to "see" MP and hike up/down HP in one day?
We'll stay 4 nights in Cusco at the Orquidea Real while exploring the towns/ruins/hiking trails between Pisac and Cuzco. Then fly back home.
Any advice on clothing to pack for June? Assume mostly long pants, t-shirts, gloves, hat, fleece & wool pullovers, wind/water resistant jacket and two pairs of trail runners.
Everyone's info has been so useful -- thanks especially to luv2globetrot & althom. Planning Peru, maybe we'll run into you there
We arrive @ Cusco and head via taxi to to Ollantaytambo, with stops at Chinchero, Maras and Moray. We'll stay in Ollanta at the Hostal Sauce for 3 nights and use it as a base for local hikes/drives/exploration in the area.
Next we head to Aquas Calientes, taking the morning Vista Dome train and we want to hike up to Winay Wayna if possible (anyone know if this is possible from Aquas Calientes, and, if so, do we need to pay a Machu Picchu entrance fee?). We'll spend the night in AC at the Wiracocha Inn then get the first bus @5:30/6am to MP and spend the day exploring MP and hiking up/down Huayna Picchu/Una Picchu and catch the 3:25pm Vistadome train to Cusco. I'm wondering if we maybe should hike HP the day before -- maybe too much to "see" MP and hike up/down HP in one day?
We'll stay 4 nights in Cusco at the Orquidea Real while exploring the towns/ruins/hiking trails between Pisac and Cuzco. Then fly back home.
Any advice on clothing to pack for June? Assume mostly long pants, t-shirts, gloves, hat, fleece & wool pullovers, wind/water resistant jacket and two pairs of trail runners.
Everyone's info has been so useful -- thanks especially to luv2globetrot & althom. Planning Peru, maybe we'll run into you there
