Itinerary Suggestions for 2 Weeks in Peru
Feb 13th, 2005, 06:42 PM
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Itinerary Suggestions for 2 Weeks in Peru
Hello,
My boyfriend and I are travelling to Peru in June. After flying into Lima, we will be taking Lan Peru to Cusco, where we will spend 2 days before heading out on the Inca Trail for 5 days. We are trying to plan the remaining 7 days and are interested in Puno/Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and Colca Canyon, and Huacachina (to see sand dunes). However, 7 days doesn't seem long enough to do these things.
How would you prioritize or divide your time amongst these cities? Would you recommend skipping one place in order to spend more time in another? Has anyone been to Huacachina and gone sandboarding or rented dune buggies?
Thanks in advance for you help.
Leigh and Shane
My boyfriend and I are travelling to Peru in June. After flying into Lima, we will be taking Lan Peru to Cusco, where we will spend 2 days before heading out on the Inca Trail for 5 days. We are trying to plan the remaining 7 days and are interested in Puno/Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and Colca Canyon, and Huacachina (to see sand dunes). However, 7 days doesn't seem long enough to do these things.
How would you prioritize or divide your time amongst these cities? Would you recommend skipping one place in order to spend more time in another? Has anyone been to Huacachina and gone sandboarding or rented dune buggies?
Thanks in advance for you help.
Leigh and Shane
Feb 28th, 2005, 07:54 AM
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A lot depends on your interests. I enjoyed Lake T and a day trip to Copacabana and Bolivia, but it was a thoroughly rewarding cultural experience. There's not a lot of physicial activity available in the area (that I could discern) aside from a LOT of walking. If it is of interest to you, I'd recommend 3-4 days:
Day 1: to get there (whether train, plane or bus a full day is wise)
Day 2: visit the floating islands of Uros and the towers of Sillustani
Day 3: day trip to Copacabana
Day 4: travel to next destination whether Lima, Arequipa, etc.
You could omit either day 2 or 3 depending on your preferences.
Perhaps someone else can comment on the other locations you've mentioned.
Heather
Day 1: to get there (whether train, plane or bus a full day is wise)
Day 2: visit the floating islands of Uros and the towers of Sillustani
Day 3: day trip to Copacabana
Day 4: travel to next destination whether Lima, Arequipa, etc.
You could omit either day 2 or 3 depending on your preferences.
Perhaps someone else can comment on the other locations you've mentioned.
Heather
Mar 1st, 2005, 09:38 AM
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Hi Leigh and Shane,
I don't know your exact travel dates; but, I do know some significant dates for events in Peru.
Winter Solstice is June 21. There will be many devotees at MP for winter solstice. If you can, plan to be at MP for sunrise on 21 June, I'd highly recommend it. It is really neat to see the alignment of sun and shadow at the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor and other significant Astro-archaeological sites. There are also special astro-archaeological places at Pisac, and many other Inca Ruins in the area. Even if you are not there for the exact solstice, you can check the alignment of these sites at sunrise. You will see that the alignment will be close.
Inti Raymi festival will take place in Cusco (Coricancha Temple, the Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuaman) on Saturday, June 24 (2005). This is a very special time to visit.
Sacsayhuaman (Inca ruins) are near Cusco as well as some other ruins and a bit further are all the wonderful ruins in the Sacred Valley. You might find you'd like three full days in Cusco. Ollantatambo is a very well preserved Inca village and ruins in the Sacred Valley. The terracing at Moray is another nice place to spend some time.
See if you can work in a market day during your trip. Chincheros and Pisac have interesting local markets.
Like Heather suggests, the area around Lake Titikaka is beautiful and pleasant. If you are a birder, there are lots of opportunities for birdwatching in the Lake Titikaka area. I'll also second her suggestion for Copacobana (across the border in Bolivia).
I have not been to Arequipa/Colca Canyon or to Huacachina. I hear Arequipa is very nice with beautiful Colonial architecture and lots of condors to be seen in Colca Canyon.
As far as prioritizing, it's so personal and should be based on you and your boyfriend's interests. So, the only suggestion I'll make is to be sure to toss in some variety based on your interests.
Be sure to factor in travel time. From Cusco to Puno is a 10 hour bus ride OR and all-day train ride. So, you are certainly right that 7 days for the rest of what you listed is not long enough. I would guess that if you went to the Puno/Lake Titikaka area you would want a minimum of two days there and it would also cost you two travel days.
- Sharon
I don't know your exact travel dates; but, I do know some significant dates for events in Peru.
Winter Solstice is June 21. There will be many devotees at MP for winter solstice. If you can, plan to be at MP for sunrise on 21 June, I'd highly recommend it. It is really neat to see the alignment of sun and shadow at the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Condor and other significant Astro-archaeological sites. There are also special astro-archaeological places at Pisac, and many other Inca Ruins in the area. Even if you are not there for the exact solstice, you can check the alignment of these sites at sunrise. You will see that the alignment will be close.
Inti Raymi festival will take place in Cusco (Coricancha Temple, the Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuaman) on Saturday, June 24 (2005). This is a very special time to visit.
Sacsayhuaman (Inca ruins) are near Cusco as well as some other ruins and a bit further are all the wonderful ruins in the Sacred Valley. You might find you'd like three full days in Cusco. Ollantatambo is a very well preserved Inca village and ruins in the Sacred Valley. The terracing at Moray is another nice place to spend some time.
See if you can work in a market day during your trip. Chincheros and Pisac have interesting local markets.
Like Heather suggests, the area around Lake Titikaka is beautiful and pleasant. If you are a birder, there are lots of opportunities for birdwatching in the Lake Titikaka area. I'll also second her suggestion for Copacobana (across the border in Bolivia).
I have not been to Arequipa/Colca Canyon or to Huacachina. I hear Arequipa is very nice with beautiful Colonial architecture and lots of condors to be seen in Colca Canyon.
As far as prioritizing, it's so personal and should be based on you and your boyfriend's interests. So, the only suggestion I'll make is to be sure to toss in some variety based on your interests.
Be sure to factor in travel time. From Cusco to Puno is a 10 hour bus ride OR and all-day train ride. So, you are certainly right that 7 days for the rest of what you listed is not long enough. I would guess that if you went to the Puno/Lake Titikaka area you would want a minimum of two days there and it would also cost you two travel days.
- Sharon
Mar 1st, 2005, 12:24 PM
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Hi,
My husband and I spent 2 weeks in Peru in mid-January 2005. We had an incredible time, and I'm sure you will too.
Depending on your interests, I'd recommend spending your second week in Arequipa and the Colca canyon. Arequipa is a beautiful city, a nice place to relax and have good food. Since you're tight on time, you could fly there from Cusco and spend a night or two. Then sign up for a canyon hike/tour. We did a magnificent 3-day trek, which focused on hiking rather than the typical 2-day tour with many "touristy" stopovers.
We flew to Cusco afterwards, so your trip would be like ours -- just flipped around. We considered Titicaca, but decided to skip it because we didn't want to cram in too much.
Hope this helps!
Linda
My husband and I spent 2 weeks in Peru in mid-January 2005. We had an incredible time, and I'm sure you will too.
Depending on your interests, I'd recommend spending your second week in Arequipa and the Colca canyon. Arequipa is a beautiful city, a nice place to relax and have good food. Since you're tight on time, you could fly there from Cusco and spend a night or two. Then sign up for a canyon hike/tour. We did a magnificent 3-day trek, which focused on hiking rather than the typical 2-day tour with many "touristy" stopovers.
We flew to Cusco afterwards, so your trip would be like ours -- just flipped around. We considered Titicaca, but decided to skip it because we didn't want to cram in too much.
Hope this helps!
Linda
