crellston didn't put the link in - but here it is

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...ai/1/tpod.html

Thanks Elizabeth!!!

Once again, thanks to all!

mlgb- I want to especially tell you how much I appreciate your input. Hopefully, I can extend the same assistance to you at a future time. I gather you live on the West Coast and if ever I can help you with info for places on the East coast (or other places I have been), I am at your service (as well as to anyone else who wants my 2 cents). I am keenly aware that these forums are for that purpose, but I can see that you took a long hard look at my itinerary. I had gotten to the point that I was considering postponing the trip to a future time when I could get a few more days. Presently, I have 2 tickets on hold using FF miles with the lowest number of miles needed for this trip. This I must redeem by midnight tonight. I prefer not to buy more miles to extend the trip. Nevertheless, I feel that I can go and make it happen, albeit a little tight with connections.

Just to let everyone know- I went on to the government website that sells MP entrance tickets. A pop up stated that due to fraudulent VISA credit card problems, tickets are not being sold online at this time. They hope to resolve this issue in the future

Also, I checked out El Albergue, but they are closed for several days just when I will be there. There are still many options and I have plenty of time to arrange accomodations.

My revised revised version is as follows:

Day 1- Flights from Boston to Lima arriving at 11:05 pm Probably best to stay at airport hotel

Day 2- Flight to Arequipa. As mentioned by other posters,I
will spend 2 nights here.

Day 3- Arequipa- 2nd overnight

Day 4- Begin Colca Canyon tour (2 days,1 night). I WILL CHECK
OUT GIARDINO TOURS(OXYGEN ON BOARD IS GREAT TO KNOW)
UNLESS ANYONE HAS OTHER SUGGESTIONS.

Day 5- Second day of Colca tour and overnight in Puno

Day 6- On the advice of both Shutterbug and Elizabeth, I will
tentatively plan for the overnight in Amantani.
Will check out Allways Tours.

Day 7- Second day of tour,overnight in Puno

Day 8- Travel to Cusco Since it is a transfer day and one never knows when one will return, I should opt for the 10 hour trip Overnight in Cusco

Day 9- Explore Cusco- Travel and overnight in Ollantaytambo

Day 10- To Machu Picchu and Olly overnight ( I still have day 11 should anything curtail my plans)

Day 11- Explore Sacred Valley- Olly overnight

Day 12- To Cusco airport and fly to Lima-overnight Lima

Day 13- Explore Lima- to airport at 9:30 pm. Back to Boston

A few more questions.

How much time is needed to explore Cusco before traveling to Olly?

On Day 11, do you recommend getting a private driver and a guide for the day in order to see the most sights? If so, would you go through the hotel or use one of the guides mentioned frequently in this forum ie. David Ramos, David Choque, Percy Salas or Vidal?

Oh you can definitely go for it! You're itinerary is perfectly doable.

For Cusco, the Plaza de Armas, Koricancha and the Cathedral can be done in 2-3 hours. Not sure what time the bus arrives into Cusco, but you can also walk around the Plaza de Armas in the evening (Greens is a good place to try alpaca).

If you are seeing Cusco in the morning on Day 9, I would not bother with a guide (just a taxi), have them take you over the high road to Olly and try to have two or three hours to explore the Olly ruins that afternoon before they close (maybe at 5 pm?).

On Day 11 I would not overnight in Olly, but instead I would use a private driver (with or without guide) to take you to sightsee all day on the way back to Cusco. You can visit Pisac, Salineras, Moray, Chinchero, and possibly Sacsayhuaman as well (just depends on how much time you want to spend hiking). It really is better to be in Cusco the night before your flight out.

Not sure if you will have luck with the oft recommended guides for just a one-day excursion, but you never know. The hotels will at least be able to hook you up with reliable drivers, or perhasp as well with a guide.

I would reserve your train ticket as far ahead as possible, for a day trip to maximize time in MP> The good times sell out. If you have trouble with Peru Rail, the other two services have early/late trains. Inka Rail was fine.

You can buy your MP tickets in Cusco when you arrive if you don't have a hotel or guide able to do that for you.

I hope you love Peru as much as I do! (Going back again in September on that cheap TACA air fare).

Note that with this schedule you'll be buying the full "boleto turistico".

Here is a link for Killawasi Lodge in Yanque. I stayed there for my second night in Colca Canyon before going on to Puno. I don't know the details of their tours (such as who they use for transport), but I liked the hotel and it is supposed to have an excellent restaurant. I imagine there are reviews of the tour piece of Killawasi on Tripadvisor. They are slightly mre

http://www.killawasilodge.com/eng/index.php

Finger slip again...slightly more expensive than Giardino, but you are closer to Condor Cross so probably don't have to get up quite so early. The bathrooms at Killawasi are fantastic!

Crellston- Thanks to Elizabeth I am reading your blog. All I can say is OMG! I have not finished it entirely, but the story of Miguel, the guide, was truly heartwarming. Good hearted souls still exist in this world.

mlgb- How clever of you to point out that it is far more sensible to stay overnight in Cusco on day 11! It will be done, assuming no major surprises along the way. After 35 years of traveling here and there, I've had my share. Well, the die is cast. Got my tickets to ride!!

I have no doubt that I will love Peru as much as you do. Your feelings are almost palpable when I read your entries. I hope you will post more info when you return from your September trip.

At some point in time, I need to discover everyone's shopping secrets in Peru. The watercolor artists in Arequipa will be on my list. I,too, have filled up my walls and may have to resort to the ceilings. I become crazed when I find something that I really want. In China, to the horror and dismay of my husband and children, I bargained for 7 hours for a silk on wool rug. After the fact, it is now enjoyed by the family and a beautiful reminder of the trip.

As Elizabeth chose her unfinished weaving, so, too, will I seek out that special item that will call back memories of my time in Peru.

I will continue to research and make reservations for my two domestic flights, train tickets, and lodging.

We were delighted with David Choque - suggest you email him regarding some of your plans. For example he could get the train tickets in advance and the MP tickets and do some of your transportation. Also I found he got better hotel rates than I could get on the internet.

In Ollanta we stayed at Hotel Sauce and loved it

http://www.hostalsauce.com.pe/

I plan to do that in the next few days. Thank you