going in june. we plan 4-5 nights in cusco. also want to see ollantaytambo and pisac. i am thinking that pisac can be done as a day-trip from cusco. ollantaytambo seems further away so i'm thinking 3-4 nights there, and we could use it for a day-trip to MP (instead of overnighting in aguas caliente). would welcome suggestions/comments.

We stayed in Urubamba for 2 nights, 2 nights at MP and 3 nights in Cusco.

I would recommend at least one night at MP. I'm not saying there isn't, but are you sure there is enough to do with those days in Cusco and OTT?

jed, i have no idea. i figure that it will take 2 days in cuzco to "climatize". did you fill your days in the 3 places or do you suggest less time?

We went with a tour group, so our time was filled. Of course, there are many things to do there, and how much time you should take would depend on your interests. We had no problem acclimating to the altitude, but I'm sure some people do.

jed, if the tour group did 2 nights in urubamba then my concept seems correct (that is, to have 2 bases in the valley-cuzco, and either urubamba or ollantaytambo. which one would you choose? is it a short trip (in time) from one to the other?

If you are concerned about acclimating, consider staying in the Sacred Valley first, then head to Cusco. Sacred Valley is a lower altitude... about 8,000 ft. Cusco is something like 11,500. MP is also lower altitude than Cusco. My memory fails me now as to the exact altitude at MP, but I think it was about 8 or 9.

I would definitely NOT do MP as a day trip from Ollantaytambo. You will very much appreciate the early morning and late afternoon alone time at MP. June is a busy month. Winter solstice is June 21. There is also Inti Raymi festivals in Cusco and Sacsayhuaman at that same time.

- Sharon

Indeed, when we went, our group stayed in Sacred Valley first, then moved to Cusco, then MP.

The best figures for altitude that I can find is that Aguas Calientes is 6600 ft, and MP is 8000 Ft.