Hi, I will be going to Peru in a few weeks with my husband and mother for 9 nights and wanted to get your input on my itinerary so far.

THURS arrive Lima at 8:30p, stay in Ramada at airport using Fertur Travel $165 total

FRI 9:40 am flight to Cuzco, arrive at 11am.
Hire a driver to Ollantaytambo, stay at El Albergue
What stops should we make along the way and should we hire a guide? I was
thinking to stop at Pisac but I really want to check out the Salt Mines too.

SAT 8:30am train to Aguas Calientes
Stay 2 nights at Inkaterra Pueblo through Luxury Link, breakfast and dinner incl

SUN Half Day guide through Inkaterra package. Box lunch or buffet at Sanctuary?

MON Back to Machu Picchu?? Train departs 1:30p to Ollantaytambo
Since we arrive so late in Olly, should I do any stops back to Cuzco?
Check in to either Andenos al Cielo or Casa San Blas?
Dinner at Inka Grill

TUE Morning City Tour - private guide
Lunch at Pachapapa, shopping in San Blas
Planeterium tour at night to see southern sky
Dinner at Cicciolino or Limo. Looking for an exciting place to eat?? Live music would
be a plus. Would love to hear live pan pipers.

WED 7:40 flight to Puerto Maldonado
3 night tour of the Amazon with Wasai. I liked the program 3 nights Wasai offered vs Rainforest Expeditions and felt better staying the last night near the airport so that I can make my flight back to Lima in the morning.

SAT A.m. depart to Lima

I appreciate all your input and recommendations on anything I have planned so far. Thank you!

1) Pisac is in the wrong direction. You could do a quick stop at the Salineras and Moray,(the first is a separate admission, the latter is on the boleto turistico), but really if you are staying in Ollantaytambo, I would visit those ruins themselves, after checking in to the hotel. Best to enter the ruins no later than 4pm. Also roam around the old Inca Town sector of Ollantaytambo. To me Ollantaytambo is a close second to Machu Picchu, you can climb (slowly up) to get a fantastic view of the town and surrounding mountains.

Monday is it too late to get an earlier train? Or are you just trying to maximize time at the hotel? Is the half day tour of Machu Picchu? You won't really have much time for anything in the PM. But you could do Salineras here (and spend more time in Ollantaytambo on Friday). You can also ask the driver to stop at Descanso Bar where the lady serves tourists a bit of chicha.

In Cusco had a great meal at Greens, alpaca and salad. I have heard mixed reviews of Limo as well as Inka Grill.

The hotel I use in Cusco is El Balcon, also see good reviews of Second Home Cusco. No experience with the two you mentioned.

I'd probably do the box lunch from Inkaterra. Then you are not locked into going back to the Lodge for the buffet.

Dont miss the ruins at Pisac -- I think they are second only to MP.

R u having 2 half days at MP?

Loved Ollantaytambo -- its a charming village.

We stayed at Casa San Blas and it was very nice. Our room sort of overlooked a music school which we often heard. It was fine for us, but if you want complete quiet not sure u will have that at Casa San Blas.

Agree that Greens has nice food. We had good meal at Cicciolina. If you want a more upscale dining experience try MAP. We had fabulous meals there.

Thank you for your responses.

Do you know why most guides stop at pisaq first if it is out of the way? Do you think I should get a guide or just cab it?

Yes, I will have 2 nights in Aguas Calientes. On the 1st day since we arrive so early, I was thinking of enjoying the hotel activities.

2nd day, wake up for a sunrise tour at Machu Picchu.

3rd day, maybe back to Machu Picchu again or do more activities at the hotel. I checked to see if there is a shortage of tickets at machu picchu this weekend and it seems that I don't need to prebook as I have been warned in the forums. There were 1000 tickets avail today and tomorrow. So I guess we can just do as we feel on the 3rd day. I don't have to stress too much about it.

Most tours are responding to visitor demand and also to kickbacks from stores and resaurants. But they will start in the morning, not at 11, which will be the approximate time you arrive in Cusco. If you look at a map, you will see Pisac is in the opposite direction, visiting will add approx 2 hrs travel time.

Both sets of ruins are worth visiting if you had made more time, but they close around 5 ish.

I would think they go to Pisac because of the market and the ruins which are large and well preserved. Its actually quite a nice village. We spent 2 days there and thoroughly enjoyed it. I agree that u really don't have time to visit both the ruins at Pisac and Ollantaytambo. U have less than 24 hours. If u decide to go to Pisac then you most likely would arrive at Olly close to or after the ruins closing time.

I think you're spending too much time in AC -- wasn't much of a town. I understand Inkaterra is lovely. I would rather spend that time in Cusco or elsewhere in the SV.

Another reco for the Casa San Blas. I'd not been doing well at that point, health-wise and so I probably saw more of the inside of a hotel than a tourist ought to and they were really lovely about taking care of us.

I enjoyed Chinchero as a SV stop. The market bustles. It's sort the 'other' route between Olly and Cuzco.

I agree that Olly is really interesting and needs a bit of time. Not just for the ruins, but IMO, also for the back streets of the town, which is quite intact historically. Also agree that SV doesn't have much going for it except to wait for your MP bus... but it's still not a terrible place to hang out and chat up the locals if so inclined.

Pisac and Olly ruins are both really interesting and great views over the valley from Pisac so definitely worth seeing both if you can and as for a Guide, that depends on how much you want to know! The markets at Pisac are completely tourist focused unless you go there on Tues, Thurs or Sunday where th local market is also there. Your hotel choices are quite varied from 3* to 5* but they are all great Hotels! I love Casa San Blas and the Pueblo is far better than the Sanctuary! I went to Limo last time I was in Cusco for the first time and I thought it was pretty good, we had great service and they didn't bat an eyelid when I turned up after a quad biking session! I do prefer Cicciolina or Bacos (owned by the same people). Have a great time!