mez23

Bliss! I get to tag along on a trip to Peru!

We arrive into Lima on the evening of the 2nd July and have until the evening of the 6th to explore Machu Picchu and Lake Titikaka (4 days is better than no days - right?!) before returning to Lima for a couple of days.

How can I maximize this opportunity time wise?

We are in good health, but can't act like we are youngsters anymore, so, we are looking for a sane level of activity. (in our 50s)

What is the best way YOU would do this since you have forged this trail? Not looking to throw away money, but want to be comfortable and safe.

Thank you in anticipation of all your great advice fellow travellers...

Elizabeth_S

Hi - I don't think you have enough time to do both...if you arrive in Lima the evening of the 2nd then you'll fly to Cusco the morning of the 3rd. You will leave Cusco mid day on the 6th (the last flight out is around 3pm but it is advisable to leave earlier as the airport is often fogged in in the afternoon).

So that leaves you 1/2 day on the 3rd, all day the 4th and 5th and a little time on the 6th.

I would arrive in Cusco and then travel immediately to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley - the altitude is lower than Cusco which makes for easier acclimation. Ollantaytambo has a wonderful ruin you could visit in the afternoon. The next day (4th) hire a car and driver and tour the famous sites of the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Moray, etc). The morning of the 5th take the train to Machu Picchu and tour it, returning to Cusco on the last train at 4pm. The next morning a quick tour around Cusco and to the airport.

We visited Lake Titicaca but it was part of a 12 day itinerary....here's a link to our blog

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...lake_titicaca/

I arranged our private tour with a guide/travel planner in Cusco - David Choque. He did a wonderful job organizing our trip and was our guide driver while we were there. He is a lovely man and we highly recommend him.

http://www.cuscotoptravelperu.com/index.html

crellston

"We are in good health, but can't act like we are youngsters anymore, so, we are looking for a sane level of activity. (in our 50s)"
To do both is simply insane! The altitude issues alone will make for an uncomfortable trip as you will have little or no time to acclimatise. Cusco is bad enough but at over 4000 meters Titicaca will affect the majority of people, possibly quite severely, without proper acclimatisatiion.
Elizabeth's plan makes far more sense!

qwovadis

Too crammed in 4 days distances are vast altitudes are high.

You barely have time for a short MP/Cusco visit.

andeantravelweb.com

peruforless.com

good ideas for a short MP/Cusco visit

Easy to get sick from altitude.

Personally would stay a couple of nights

in SV at Casa-andina.com or apulodge.com 8000 ft

Visit MP from there Come back up to Cusco 11ooo ft

for a couple of days Casa-andina Classic or Rumipunku.com

there... fly taca.com starperu.com Pervianairlines.pe

will all be cheaper than LAN with their rip off $178.50

tourist "surcharge".

Happy planning less is more insuremytrip.com always wise.

linjo

I agree not enough time to do both. Lake Titicaca is beautiful but I would rather spend my time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. My husband and I just returned from a 12 day tour (we are both in our 50's) Lake Titicaca's altitude takes a lot out of you.

qwovadis

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...itude-sickness...

Atitude Illness can be deadly rarely even for the young.

So it is important to adjust CAREFULLY take Diamox as a

preventive especially on short visits or be miserable.

mdtravelhealth.com Peru good health info.

qwovadis

Katrina Jacks, 23, was hiking near Lake Titicaca when she collapsed having NOT taken preventive medication. The illness is unpredictable and affects people of all ages.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...itude-sickness

one more time for the missing link Google it if I miss.

mlgb

Of course you would, TRD, you own it!!!

Watch out for this poster everyone!!

mez23

Your responses are very appreciated - thank you!

Set

" So it is important to adjust CAREFULLY take Diamox as a

preventive especially on short visits or be miserable."

Personally I would not take preventative drugs, because they mask the signals of your body until it's too late and you are really sick. In my opinion, it's better to just take it easy the first two days, drink a lot of water and go easy on the alcohol. In almost all Peruvian hotels, you can get free coca-tea or you can buy coca leafs or coca sweets that help with altitude sickness.

If you are going to visit MP, it might also be an idea to go to Aguas Calientes the day before and sleep there. The town itself is not great, but it affords you the opportunity to get up very early to MP and see the sun rise over the city as it was meant to be: without the horde of tourists that arrives on the first trains from Cusco.