We'll have 2 weeks in Peru in early May. We're planning on 2 or 3 days in Ollantaytambo and then we'll be going to Cusco for a few days. When I look at the itinerary, I realize that if we spend 3 nights in Ollantaytambo, we'd be heading to Cusco on the Sunday. I've read that the "best" time to visit Pisaq is Sunday. So now I'm considering a couple of alternatives - one would be just to stop at Pisaq for a few hours, the other would be to spend a night in Pisaq (taking a night away from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo).

I'm leaning more towards the second alternative - it just seems a little more relaxed, and we'd be able to leave our bags somewhere while we're exploring the area. I know that we could hire a taxi for the day, but I'm not crazy about that idea for some reason.

If we were to go to Pisaq from Ollantaytambo and planned to spend the night there, what are the transportation options? Are there regular buses? If we were to take a taxi, what is the estimated cost?

Thanks,
Susan

Yes, I've spent a Saturday night in Pisac. It works out well.

I stayed at Royal Inka Pisac, which is just outside of town but walking distance. I expected Saturday night to be a bit noisy in town. It turned out there was some kind of Peruvian cheerleader convention at the hotel.

They have some kind of pool and or spa but there was an extra charge, didn't use it. The food was passable (stick to simple grilled stuff).

Taxi I would guess 180-200 soles. You could ask your hotel when you get there what the going rate is.

There are regular buses between Urubamba and Pisac. From Ollantaytambo to Urubamba it's a shared minivan (it goes to the bus station). You walk through the station to the other side, where the buses depart.

Depending on where you stay in Pisac, from the foot of town where the buses drop off, you can walk or take a mototaxi.

I did the transfer using public buses Pisac to Ollantaytambo and it took 1 1/2 hours on a Monday (not busy). A volunteer at Awamaki told me she had never heard of anyone doing it that quickly before...so allow at least two hours if you want to do it in daylight. And remember days are not very long.

Thanks migb. Sounds like getting there could be a lengthy trip by public transit and taxis are fairly pricey (although not expensive by Canadian standards). A friend (who hasn't been to Peru) has been cautioning us about Peruvian buses - she's read about a lot of accidents so I guess a taxi might also be safer. I still think it's something that we will want to do.

That route through the Sacred Valley is fairly level, I didn't worry too much about it.

It's the night time buses and those across the Andes where they drive too fast on windy roads to watch out for.

You never know, you may find a taxi willing to do it for less, they congregate at certain times near the train station, or up near the plaza. Look for a car with seat belts. Depending on where you are staying some hotels will help you ask around, rather than using an expensive "driver". But it's also supply and demand and Pisac is a bit farther than the usual route, whereas many taxi drivers have to go back to Cusco anyways.

I've always heard that night buses are dangerous, and we've always avoided them in other countries that we've visited. Thanks for the info.

When we were in Ollantaytambo last year we were waiting for a collectivo, just off the plaza, to get back to Cusco via Urumbamba. We are approached by several taxi drivers who where offering rides back to Cusco ( rather than return empty). We were in no hurry so got the bus anyway. The price offered did drop rapidly to 50 soles.

Buses are pretty easy but will take and hour or two more due to changes, stops etc.

The hostals were offering to arrange taxis for 175 soles which included photo stops along the way - Moray, Maras, Chinchero.

I liked Pisac, in fact I marginaly preferred it to MP, but I don't think I would want to spend the night there.

One thought would be to spend the night in Cusco and either get a taxi or bus to Pisac early am. Check out the sights and markets before returning to Cusco. Rather than go all the way back, get off the bus, or get your taxi to drop you at Tambo Machay which is on the way back. From there you can walk back down along the old inca paths via Q'encko etc. to Sacsayhuaman. Take around 2-3 hours easy walking and has IME of the best views in the area.
Some photos and deatail on my blog http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/6/tpod.html entrie 18 - 19

We spent the night in Pisac and enjoyed it very much. The ruins are fabulous and we enjoyed kicking back and talking with the locals. We stayed at a small hostel on the square and it was inexpensive and nice. Don't have the name offhand.

I think we'll plan to spend the night in Pisac. Thanks for all the advise.

Crellston, I've bookmarked your blog, and have looked at it a few times - sounds like you had an amazing trip.