CassieWithBag

Hello fellow Fodorites!
I'm planning a trip to Peru with my husband and parents. Before I book our flights, I wanted to double check our plan and ask your advice. How does the following itinerary look to you?
D1: Arrive to Arequipa
D2-3: Arequipa (1.5 days). On the 3rd day of our trip, fly to Cusco
D4-5: Cusco (visit Pisco, etc.) (2 full days)
D6: Travel from Cusco to Aguas Calientes
D7-8: Machu Picchu (1.5 days visiting MP). Leave for Ollantaytambo.
D9: Ollantaytambo
D10: Travel day from Ollantaytambo to Cusco and move on to Madre de Dios
D11-12: Eco lodge in Madre de Dios
D13: Travel to Lima
D14: Fly out.

Is the D10 travel day feasible from Ollant. to Madre de Dios?
Do you have any hotel recommendations in Arequipa?
What are your lodging suggestions in Madre de Dios?
Do we have to stay at a hotel in Aguas Calientes or are there lodging options by the MP gate?

Thanks a million!!

laurie_ann

In my own research for a Peru trip I am working on there is only one hotel right at MP the Belmond Sanctuary. I am sure it is a singular experience but it is very expensive. For my dates in May it would be US$ 1450 per room per night.

For your travel day to Madre de Dios I would ask your prospective eco lodge. In my research they seem to be at varied remoteness. There are flight and bus routes to the area from Cusco but it will depend on your destination what makes sense.

And do an "advanced" search here on Fodors for Arequipa. I found several good suggestions about lodging there.

sf7307

I am sure it is a singular experience but it is very expensive

It may be a singular experience to stay up at the gate, so you can be on site for sunrise, but the hotel itself is not all that special. We stayed at the Inkaterra in Aguas Calientes and in my opinion, it's a much nicer hotel than the Sanctuary.

Kathie

We spent two nights at the Sanctuary Lodge. We booked through a local agent and didn't pay nearly the "rack rate" even for our off-season dates. For use, it was well worth the splurge, but obviously, it isn't for everyone.

travfirst

For hotel recommendations at Arequipa and other places check the reviews on Trip advisor and booking.com:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g2...on-Hotels.html

All the reviews on booking.com are from the verified travelers who booked via that website.

mlgb

I enjoyed my stay at Casa de Melgar in Arequipa, quirky individual rooms in the old section. I understand the rooms are cold during the wet season. A pretty decent breakfast included.

http://lacasademelgar.com/

You didn't give a budget but there are some nice hotels in the old section as well.

Casa Andina, maybe Terra Viva.