Suggestions requested: private car and English-speaking driver
 

I'm considering hiring a private car and English-speaking driver to tour the Sacred Valley, where I will be staying for three night. Does anyone have someone who's services you used that you would recommend? Thank you.

Hey, tripplanner, when are you going to Peru? We are in the process of planning a trip for November.

I haven't used him but Percy Salas comes highly recommended by some. Otherwise, you may find something on http://www.andeantravelweb.com/peru/index.html which provides guidance on tour operators etc. Otherwise, the hostals and hotels in the Sv usually have English speaking drivers they can recommend, albeit at a price..

Crellston, thank you for your recommendation. I'm staying at the Hotel Pakaritampu in Ollantaytambo.

Kathie, I'm going in the end half of July, after things hopefully calm down when the World Cup I A over.

Correction...is over.

Have a wonderful trip. I will look forward to your trip report.

Thanks Kathie. I'm going for the Incan ruins too, so hopefully I'll have some first-hand info that may be useful to you.

bookmarking!

Tripplanner001 - I am sure Pakaritambo will be able to sort you out with a driver. As you are staying in Ollantaytambo you will find lots of taxi drivers in the Plaza de Armas and by the collectivo stop just off the plaza by the market entrance. A cheaper alternative would be to negotiate with one of those guys for a days hire a number of which will speak at least some English. The going rate earlier this year was 120-150 new soles for a days hire in the sacred valley ( but you will have to bargain!).

I'm also looking for a driver. Someone who can pick us up at the airport in Cusco and take us to Urubamba and someone who can take us on day trips around the Sacred Valley. Our hotel's rates seem crazy high for these services.

I'm one of many who has recommended Percy. You can read details about him in my trip report (click on my name to find it).

Here's a picture of him, which I took when my daughter and I used his services back in 2007. He was terrific.

http://kbutler1122.zenfolio.com/p170...fc65#h21befc65

Crellston, thank you. I have an email out to the hotel and am waiting for a reply. So far the quotes I have are running around US$135 per day for 4 people.

Althon1122, do you have an email address for Percy?

Thanks.

We booked Percy for our visit in March, at the recommendation of everyone here when I was first planning our trip a few months ago :) He will be driving us from Cuzco to Olly and back, with plenty of stops in both directions. He quoted us $150 each way, so $300 total. We only have 3 people though, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

Percy's email: [email protected]

Hope that helps!

I had this posted in my Peru thread, but thought it might help give you some ideas of what is possible. I'm sure he'd be willing to customize an agenda for you, but this is what Percy offered to do for us:


Monday - Transfer & Sacred Valley tour, Visiting Awanacancha, place where you will see the native animals like , Llamas, Huanacos, Alpacas and Vicuñas, after arrive to Pisaq Ruins and market, lunch time, go through the Valley to Ollantaytambo and drop you off at your hotel.

Cost : $.150.00 USD include :Car and private tour guide for three people.

Thursday - Sacred Valley tour.- visiting Ollantaytambo ruins, Maras salt pans, Moray experimental farming terraces, Chincheros Inca townwhere you will see the weaver´s center, arriving in the afternoon to Cusco´s hotel ..

Cost : $. 150.00 USD. include: Car and private guide service for three people.


And althom1122, thanks for the picture!! It will definitely help us recognize him when he meets us at the Cuzco airport :) He looks like a very nice man!

Thanks Undergrace. This is very helpful.