We are planning a trip to Peru from June 30th - July 10th. I would like your suggestions and feedback. Our dates are set and cannot be changed.

July 1st - Arrive in Lima
July 1st - Lima/Puerto Maldonado - Rainforest - Posadas Amazonas
July 3rd Puerto Maldonado - Cusco. Drive to Sacred Valley. overnight at Ollantaytambo
July 4th - SV/MachuPicchu - Vista dome train. Overnight MP
July 5th - MP-Sacred Valley. Overnight
July 6th - Pisac market and tour
July 7th - Sacred Valley - Cusco. Overnight Cusco
July 8th - Late evening flight to Lima
July 9th - Tour Lima
July 10th - Lima back to LA

Please let me know what changes I need to make. Is it worth making the trip to Posadas Amazonas or do you have any other suggestions for another location.
What hotels do you suggest in the Sacred Valley?
We have been in contact with Percy and hope to use him for the days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
What is the best way to arrange a guide in Machu Picchu? Is it possible to arrange it through the hotels?
I understand that the hike up to Huayna Picchu or the hike to the Golden gate? Which is a must see?
We want to be in Pisac on that Sunday for the market.

Thanks

I think you will find guides at the MP entrance, when you get off the bus. Also guides, where you pick up the bus in AC. Expect to pay around $45 for a three hour guide for the two of you. I would recommend private, instead of joining a larger group...

We didn't use a guide in the sanctuary, but I do think that he/she would certainly enhance your experience. For some absolutely fabulous images of machu pichu, take a look at Edward Ranney on photoeye.com, in their PhotoEyeGallery. These are black and white images, full of the mystery that you will surely experience there. I missed making such images probably because I did not KNOW the significance of some of these site details, and also I'm just not that good! Or maybe it was because I was quite sick, and needed to find a bathroom (only located at the entrance!)


--- We did not go to Pisac, and today when I look at pictures from there, I wished we had! We went to Chinchero instead. It was great, but I think I would still choose Pisac's Market for a first time visit to Peru. Percy was terrific with us touring Chinchero, the Saltmines, the Ollanta Ruins, and Hullioc. We loved spending a morning with Percy in Cusco, touring the ruins just outside of Cusco. Having the afternoon on our own to walk San Blas and other areas was great. Percy is terrific!

In Ollanta, we stayed at Hotel Pakaritampu (absolutely lovely and probably booked.) Hotel Sauce is popular as well. I loved Ollanta personally, walking early mornings and evenings along the small back "streets/alleys". I didn't find Urubamba to be quite as charming -- though they have some fine places there from what I understand.

We were there in March when it was very very green and wet (rainy season).

Peru is extraordinary. I can not wait to go back!

We hired our MP guide right at the entrance - around $30. Her name was Sonya and she was excellent. It was a spur of the moment decision and we're so glad we had her. She enhanced the visit considerably.
(We also used Percy and thought he was wonderful!). Percy can also arrange your MP guide, but getting one on the spot was cheaper, we found.

Can't comment on your question about the jungle since we didn't do that.

Regarding hotels in Ollanta, Hotel Sauce looked nice and was in a great location. We stayed at Las Orquideas, which was a budget choice - we were very happy with it. They don't have a website or even email. Percy made our reservations. The room was basic but very clean, and there's a very cute courtyard with lots of flowers. We had a view out our window of the ruins. $32 per night.
There's a picture of the outside of it in my Sacred Valley album:

http://kbutler1122.zenfolio.com

(picture 16)

Thank you both for your replies. I have sent a message to Hotel Pakaritampu. Hope they have some rooms available. How long a drive is it from Ollanta to Pisac?
Has anyone stayed in Pisac. We are thinking of staying one night at the Royal Inka. Any feedback on this hotel? How long a drive is it from Pisac to Cusco?

Does anyone have suggestions for a good hotel at Ollantaytambo? Both Hotel Pakaritampu & Hotel Sauce are booked for the date we need.
I would prefer to stay in Ollantaytambo instead of Urubamba.
We also need a recommendation for our two day stay in Cusco.

thanks

NINOS HOTEL, in Cusco. web site:ninoshotel.com
Can't beat that !$20.00 a night per person ! Clean, confortable ,friendly staff and you are helping a great cause: all profits go to help the homeless children of Cusco.Check it out.

Hi Vacdrmr,
I was wondering how your trip went. Could you let me know if you felt that you should have stayed more time in the jungle or Cusco? I am going to Peru soon and can not decide if I should spend 5 days in Cusco (including Sacred Valley and MP) and 3 days/2 nights in Puerto Maldonado or divide it between 4 days for both.

Thanks!

In Ollantaytambo we stayed at the Andean Moon. No one there spoke English, but we got by. It is on a narrow walk so you park at the square and carry your cases. The rooms were simple, but nice. The shower was warm, and the wool blankets warm and soft. They have a roof-top patio where you can see the ruins, and clothes lines if you need to wash out some clothes. Except for the local dogs, which are everywhere, it was very quiet. They will hold your bags in a locked room if you take the train to Machu Picchu after you check out. We picked ours up when we got our taxi to head back to Cusco.