I'm finalizing my plans for a trip to Peru that I'm taking with my family April 23 - May 8. I have booked flights to and within Peru, and hotels in Lima, Cusco, and Aguas Calientes, but am still missing two critical items I was hoping members on this board could help me with.

We are planning to spend 1 night in Ollanta on April 30 and have been trying to book rooms in the Hotel Pakaritampu. However, their website seems to have only a unsecured form where I'm reluctant to enter my credit card information. I also wasn't able to find a phone number to try to call them. Any suggestions for how to make a reservation?

I also would like to make reservations for the train to and from Machu Picchu. We would like to depart from Ollanta and return to Cusco. The Peru Rail website does not seem to allow this, and I have had no response to the form I filled out on their site over two weeks ago.

I have other questions about drivers, guides, tourist tickets, but I think I have more time to get that settled.

Thanks in advance for your help!

For the train reservations, email

[email protected]

That's what we did and received a prompt reply (within a day). It took a few back-and-forth emails to nail down the exact times.

Given the time of year you're going, you have plenty of time to get your hotel reservations. You may want to arrange for a guide, and then he/she should be able to secure your hotel reservations at the hotel of your choice.

I used Percy Salas. David Choque is also often recommended here. Percy's contact info is in my trip report (in the search box type: Karen and Julie).

Perurail has improved it's website a bit. Click on the link below to the price and schedule and then email one of the addresses available with the specifics of what and when according to the schedule. They should then give you a reservation that you will have to pay and pick-up in Cusco at least a day before the first train ride.

http://www.orient-express.com/binari...tcm4-94917.pdf

Because the first leg of your rail travel starts in Ollantaytambo, you will have to stop in Cusco before you go there to collect your tickets. The office is at the train station that is nearest to the airport. They have regular daytime business hours which they should tell you when they give you your conformation email (as they did for me).

Hi, I also have been looking at the Peru Rail site for travel in May. I emailed them today and received an immediate reply. My hotel in SV (Sol Y luna) also offered to get them, but at $70 service charge so I have not committed to that until I hear from the Peru Rail folks. Hopefully can pick them up on way out of Cusco to SV.
I noticed a "premium" and regular fare (other than economy and backpacker) Does anyone know the difference in seating? Thx again..cant plan this trip with ya'll's help! Cc

I think that "premium vs regular vs economico" is in regard to the train and not to the seats. Looking at the timetable & prices 2008, I notice that certain trains/times have different prices. It's a time-of-day demand sort of thing.

I don't know if you can request particular seats on a train, perhaps you can but I didn't think of that when I made our reservations. I have read on this board where people say sit on the left side going and on the right for the return (or the other-way-around). You can probably make that request in your email. We are with luck-of-the-draw on this one.

thanks tatersalad; pretty confusing to me, but I'll take time, readup and figure it out - stillhave not heard from any of the gudes, Percy or David recommended.
Anyone else??? Thx CC

I'm wondering if Percy's email has changed because I sent him some photos of him and us on our trip and he didn't respond, which is very unlike him. I had his cell phone number, but think I threw it away. If I run across it, I'll post it.

We used David Choque and sometimes it takes him a few days to respond as he is often out on tours with his clients. I thought I had kept his cell phone #, but I could not find it.

If you do use a guide, they would be able to complete your reservations for you for your stay at Hotel Pakaritampu. We stayed there and I emailed them about sending cc info. I ended up sending the Hotel cc info broken up and sent in several emails. If you email them, perhaps they can give you their phone number. I will add that we were there around the same time you are going (end of April) and the hotel was filled up so a reservation is a good idea.

I tried to go back to the Peru Rail website, but I still can't make a reservation or purchase on it. I've tried to call them with no luck, and I'm now trying to email them again.

I'm starting to get nervous as there seem to be fewer and fewer seats available on the dates I want (leave on May 1, return May 2).

I wanted to leave from Ollanta and return to Cusco, but now it seems like I can only return to Ollanta. Will it be easy for me to arrange a driver to Cusco that night? I need to be in Cusco for my return flight the next morning. Thanks.

This is the email address that I used and got a prompt reply.

[email protected]

Good Luck

Here's the web site for Perurail. It's very easy to understand.

http://www.orient-express.com/web/tp...r_a2a_home.jsp

Do you also need to make a bus reservation from Aqua Calientes to MP after you arrive on the train?

I haven't been yet, but my understanding is that the bus ride from AC to MP is to be purchased when you arrive in AC.

Yes, that's right re the bus. You don't need to reserve in advance. The ticket office is right there where the buses leave from. A bus leaves about every 15 minutes or when it's full.

You may already have your room reservation, but we made our reservation with the Hotel Pakaritampu via e-mail.
They never asked for a credit card.
They just confirmed our reservation via e-mail and we had no problems when we got there.
Here's their e-mail:
[email protected]

And here's a link to our trip report if you're interested:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35085466
Photos here:
www.luv2globetrot.com

Good luck!
>-

luv2 - i had looked at your pictures before and really enjoyed them. took another peek and noticed you need to start planning a trip to asia! (enjoyed your pics, again)
karen

Hi althom,
Believe me, Asia is on the list but Africa is next!!!!
We are so excited! We're going to Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda in September...yeah, another continent
Glad you liked the pics!
Happy travels
Lisa

www.luv2globetrot.com