Peru Itinerary - Summer 2010
 

Wondering if anyone can comment on this itinerary for Peru. We are a fam of 4 - 2 adults, 2 kids, now 10 and 7. I have air tickets on hold with American - as I am still deciding if this trip is a go.
Day 1 - Fly from US to Lima arrive - 9pm - Overnight at Casa Inca
Day 2 & 3 - LIMA - TAMBOPATA
Refugio Amazonas Lodge: Three Days and Two Nights
Day 4- TAMBOPATA – CUSCO – URUBAMBA VALLEY 2 nights at Sol y Luna Lodge
Pisac Ruins & rest to acclimate
Day 5 - Chinchero and Ollantaytambo
Day 6 Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes - 2 nights Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Machu Pichu
Day 7 - Machu PIchu
Day 8 - Train back to Cuzco - 2 nights Boutique Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique Cuzco
Cuzco
Day 9 - Canoe/Rafting (have to find out if 7 year old is old enough to raft here.
Day 10 - Tipon Hike, Sacsayhuaman, fly to Lima - overnight Casa Inca
Day 11 - fly back to US time permitting - Colonial Lima

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thx!

It sounds pretty fast paced for two kids. Mine are significantly older & told me they did not want a lot of moving around in Peru (like we've done on previous vacations). We are spending a week in the Amazon & one week in the Sacred Valley. I would think your kids might like more time in one of the locations and eliminate something. It looks like the most you spend in any one location is 2 nights.

I've read some complaints about Sol y Luna. Although I often spar with the owner of Kuchi Ruymi on Tripadvisor, I think his hotel is worth considering for families. He would be shocked to see me recommending him! (I just have a problem with hotel owners posting on travel websites to promote their businesses).

About a week in the Sacred Valley is good, I might only spend the one night in Aguas Calientes. Still I think it's a good idea to split the stay between Urubamba or elsewhere in the SV and Cusco due to the elevation issues.

Thanks for your input!

mlgb -I'm confused on your comment - "Still I think it's a good idea to split the stay between Urubamba or elsewhere in the SV and Cusco due to the elevation issues." How would you change what Ive got? or do you mean its OK?

I mean it is okay to stay first in Sacred Valley (SV) which included Urubambo or Ollantaytambo, then several days in Cusco. Cusco is about 11000feet in elevation and so you will feel the altitude more significantly than in the Sacred Valley. So sleep a few nights in SV to acclimate (it matters where you sleep more than were you visit during the day and effects are worse at night).

I made some updates - any more comments?

Day 1 - Fly from US to Lima arrive - 9pm - Overnight at Ramada at the Airport
Day 2 & 3 - LIMA - TAMBOPATA
Posada Amazonas 3D, 2N - on wait list for Refugio Amazonas Lodge: Three Days and Two Nights
Day 4- TAMBOPATA – CUSCO – URUBAMBA VALLEY 3 nights at Pakaritampu or Albergue Ollantaytambo
Pisac Ruins & rest to acclimate
Day 5 - Ollantaytambo Town and Ruins
Day 6 - Chinchero, Maras & Moray
Day 7 Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes - 2 nights Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Day 7 and 8 -Machu Pichu
Day 9 - Train back to Cuzco - 2 nights Boutique Hotel Casa San Blas Boutique Cuzco
Day 10 - /Rafting
Day 11 - Sacsayhuaman, fly to Lima - overnight Ramada Airport
Day 12 - fly back to US at 6:30 am

Sacsayhuaman might be underwhelming after Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Machu Picchu. You could stop there on your way into the Sacred Valley after arriving in Cusco from the Amazon.
Any interest in markets or museums? Is most of Day 9 in Aguas Calientes or in Cusco? Is that a "relax" day?

m-b-m, have you looked at www.luxurylink.com for their hotel offers in Sacred Valley....you might be able to substantially upgrade your hotel stay for very little. We've spent time in the valley previously and will be going back in August to stay at the Aranwa Resort and Spa. Great locations and great facilities.

I think hairamhc is a tout for luxurylink.

mlgb, Nope....not employed or compensated by luxurylink in any fashion. We just have been fortunate enough to take some great trips as a result of participating in their auctions. When we travel, we like to stay in nice places and we prefer not to pay any more money than necessary.

Any other questions or observations?

OP, you might take a day to explore Lima instead of just an overnight. Most likely by the time you hit Day 11 you will be "ruined out" anyways, and it's very easy to see Sacsayhuaman while you are in Cusco. Things to do in Lima included the illuminated fountains (start about 4:30 pm), double decker bus tours, and the Plaza de Armas, as well as last minute souvenier shopping at the artisan markets in Miraflores. For the same price as the airport Ramada or the JW Marriott you could book two rooms at the lovely B&B Second Home Peru in Barranco.

I stayed at the El Albergue hotel and although it's simple I enjoyed it. Ollantaytambo is such a pleasant town. ElA has an excellent restaurant (even if you book the other hotel I would try EA for dinner). I am assuming you will also book two rooms there? I don't believe they have family rooms. The better rooms are upstairs. I have seen mixed reviews of Pakaritampu, it's another notch up in price but doesn't seem to have a good restaurant or necessarily good service.

Your pace looks good.

Inkaterra MP Pueblo is a much nicer hotel than the Sanctuary Lodge and has some interesting onsite activities such as the Orchid tour, I think it's a better choice for families.