Peru suggestions/recommendations for May 2013 trip
 

Hello, I am planning a trip to Peru for my husband and I for the end of May. My husband has family in Lima and has been there a few times. This will be my first time in Peru. He has never been beyond Lima, so I have been doing research trying to plan the trip. The first part of the trip is going to be family time for him. Any suggestions/recommendations regarding my itinerary would be very helpful. I am not sure if I have too much time allotted for Cusco and could add a side trip in?

Day 1- Friday night (traveling to Lima)
Day 2-Saterday (In Lima with family)
Day 3- Sunday (In Lima with family)
Day 4- Monday (In Lima with family)

Day 5-Tuesday We will take a very early 120 minute flight to Cusco. I assume that we can get a taxi (about an hour’s drive?) to stay in a hotel in either Ollantaytambo or Urubmba. My understanding is that they are at a lower elevation than Cusco, and it would be better to make this the home base. My questions would be, is it easy to see the sites of all of the Sacred Valley and Cusco, Machu Picchu, etc..staying at a hotel in this location? Do you have any hotel recommendations? After landing, I thought we could start touring the sacred valley. I have read some posts that say you should spend two days really exploring. What are your thoughts on this?

Day 6-Wednsday will be our second day exploring the Sacred Valley (unless anyone has better suggestions?)

Day 7-Thursday Matchu Picchu (Is one day enough? Should we stay in a hotel in the area?)

Day 8-Friday Explore Cusco- Any recommendations?

Day 9-Saterday Explore Cusco- Any recommendations?

Day 10 Sunday Flying home out of Cusco

Thank you for your input!

I would suggest staying in the Sacred Valley. It's easier to see sights from there - Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray, and Maras. I stayed at the Rio Sagrado - FABULOUS hotel - check out reviews on Trip Advisor. If you stay in the Sacred Valley - you can take the train from Ollantaytambo to Agues Calientes (Machu Picchu base) and it's only 90 minutes, compared to a few hours from Cusco for example. If you stay in Aguas Calientes, we stayed at the Sumaq...or check out the Inca Terra. One day is enough for Machu Picchu....but I would take one of the 1st buses that goe up - 1st one is at 530am....if you want to hike Huayna Picchu - you might want a day and 1/2 visiting MP.....

In Cusco we stayed at the Hotel Monesterio, a beautiful properties. You can visit the churches, more Inca ruins. Cusco is a lovely little city that is great to walk around.

Hope this helped.

Thank you very much for the suggestions. They are very helpful.

The Sacred Valley needs at least two days really. Ollantaytambo is a much more picturesque town than Urmumbamba, although the latter has the more upmarket hotels if that is what you are looking for. Don't miss out Pisac ( which I actually preferred to Macchu Picchu!) MP really need an overnight stay in Aguascalientes Calientes. Book the train from Ollantaytambo to MP as soon as you can with a return to Cusco. Cusco again needs at least 2 days and you should investigate purchasing the Bolleto Turistico which provides entry to many of the sights in Cusco and the SV at a reduced rate.
As for the sights to see, have a look at http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/ which has a lot of good information. Have fun it is a wonderful part of the world.

Crellston, thank you very much for the information!

I agree, Pisac is great. If you’re active, you can walk up to the ruins and back from the Pisac town. There are several good restaurants right on the main plaza (where the market is set up). For this you don’t really need a tour/guide.

In addition to Ollantaytambo (where I recommend you stay if you’re staying in the Sacred Valley) you should take a tour to Moray and Salinas. These are two really interesting sites and I think you’d get more out of it if you go with a private guide.

In Cuzco, be sure to visit Koricancha, the cathedral (where they have paintings from the Cusco school of art), and Sacsayhuaman, which is a ruin site on the hill right above the city.

And eat – a lot! Cusco has great restaurants, as well as shopping.

Brockin07, thank you! I appreciate the great recommendations.