Well I have been all over the map recently with next years plans, go to Tuscany, maybe go to Mexico, but now I think if we can resolve a few problems it will be----- Peru.

The problem is my wife is very sensite to altitude. She is prone to not only get sick but get Migranes as well.

But I think if we fly from Cusco down to the Sacred valley for a few days then go back up to Cusco we should be fine.

It would be a partially set itinerary going with a specialty tour company that we went with before (patagonia 2006) here is the itinerary

Andes Adventures trip

So we would add days previous to this set itinerary in the sacred valley for acclimitization. RR

Robert, altitude can be a big problem for some people. When we were in that same area there was another couple with us. Neither Ken nor I had a problem but the other woman became very ill. Fortunately we had a guide who nursed her through the night and got her over the worse part but the rest of the trip was very difficult for her. The problem is that not until you go do you know if "you're the one."

Ken and I both had meds from our Dr. to offset sickness but it just made our fingers tingle and so we stopped taking it with not bad effects.

Here's a link to my website report on our trip--with pictures. Peru
Funny, you're the second one today that I have sent that to. I had an e-mail from someone asking about our trip there.

BTW--you don't fly from Cusco to Sacred Valley. It's an easy drive. Cusco is actually higher than Machu Picchu so if she is OK in Cusco, she should be OK elsewhere.

Not to be alarmist, but the 40 year old son of friends of mine died in Peru from altitude sickness. It is nothing to fool with! On the other hand, there are beautiful areas in Peru without the highest altitudes (or, so I'm told)!

Donna

I've been way higher than the highest we will be on this trip which is 13,778 feet. In fact I've been over 19000 (Kilimanjaro) feet without problems. I have been hiking and running almost all my life. My wife does get sick hence the worry.
But I think we are going to spend 5 nights in the sacred valley then 3 in Cusco,before the serious Hike/run.

I am sure there is plenty to do in the sacred valley locally. We are going to go to Machu Pichu later so what else to do
for 4 full days? RR

Sounds like a cool trip, Robert. Is your wife going to stay in the valley while you go to the higher altitudes, or is she going to chance it?

D, My wife will be with me the whole time.My current plan is 5 nights in the Sacred valley
(8900 feet altitude) and 3 nights in Cusco (11000 plus) before we descend again into the sacred valley and trek/run to Machu Pichu.

I think that should give her enough time to acclimitize. We will be staying
Here in the sacred Valley it is very reasonable and looks fabulous! RR

Robert be sure you have $100 in 20ies and a few 10's. We had a huge hassle with the passport control fee they would not take $50ies claiming they were fake,they would not take travelers check or Amx card or visa, lucky for me friend had some extra's.

quote:

Originally posted by JoanneH:
Robert be sure you have $100 in 20ies and a few 10's. We had a huge hassle with the passport control fee they would not take $50ies claiming they were fake,they would not take travelers check or Amx card or visa, lucky for me friend had some extra's.

I think whatever the fee I should have exact change. what is the fee? funny about the 50"s although many have only see 100's and 20's.

RR

I am sure you will go to Pisac for the market and the ruins; but one thing you must do is have a taxi take you to the top of the ruins and then do the hike down. (You can leave your car in Pisac town; the hike will lead you right into the main square.) Preferably really early (we arrived at dawn..) Don't just drive up and drive down as the hike is fabulous (and it will be easy for you.) The view from the top is stupendous!

View from the top:



For more Sacred valley and Machu Picchu shots take a look at my site:

http://www.jczinn.com/Central%20and%20South%20America/Peru/Scenes/saindex.html

We're also thinking about visiting Peru in 2009, mainly a trip around Machu Picchu. Airfare is relatively reasonable compared to Europe and our dollar should go further there.
However as I watched the euro fall from $1.60 to less than $1.30 this week, I'm back to debating S. America vs.Europe.

Airfare is a little cheaper 1100 vs. 1500.

The trip will actually end up being more expensive than europe as we will be staying in higher end places and the Inka Trail trip is expensive. My budget is about 9000 to 10000 for the two of us with airfare and everything included for just over 2 weeks.

Janet nice photos. I am going to consider hiking up and down for Pisac. I am going to look up some of those places all my books
and maps are on the way. RR

RR, you got it right doing the valley first then Cusco second, for altitude reasons. I also highly second Pisac, as well as Ollantaytambo.

Robert, I've been following this thread and am enjoying the evolution of your trip.

Janet I am always in awe of the places you've captured in your photographic essays. Really beautiful photography and wondrous places.

Years ago my parents travelled throughout South America and brought us souvenirs from all these places that sounded so interesting. I can still hear my mom's voice saying "Macchiu Picchiu". I get my travelling bug from her. She wanted to see the world and though she started late in life, she did manage to see a good bit of it.(and took my father with her)

Good luck to you Robert. It seems like you and your wife are seeing some of the most magical places on this earth!

Barb Cabot

Beautiful photo Janet!

I've been playing with the calculator. Continental's flights to Lima are less than $800. We're looking at an Intrepid Travel Inca Trail trip that is not high end. I'm still weighing the total price (around $4000) against Europe at $1200+ airfare but with free hotel (points) but really am leaning toward the Inca Trail.

What time of year are you going? My husband gets his measly two weeks redeposited next September.

We are going in August. Does your trip start in Lima? As you may know cusco is closer to the Inca trail. I am thinking their price does not include the flight to Cusco.(200-300 dollars each) RR

It starts in Lima and includes the flight to Cusco but not the return leg. I've found it for either $116 or $176 one-way on LAN depending on whether I access the Spanish or English version.

I know most travelers to Peru skip Lima altogether and Lima might not exactly be Buenos Aires but all the same, I love Lima. If you are into food, it would be a shame to miss out of the city's gastronomical offerings:

Asian-Peruvian Fusion

Lima dining

I would Love to stop in Lima, In fact it looks like I could spend 3 months or more easily in Peru, Unfortunately I need to make choices.

We will have a brief city tour and lunch thats about it for Lima I'm afraid. We will also have the one morning. RR

I recommend ceviche for that one lunch.

I almost never eat at a chain restaurant and I eat chicken even less frequently but when in Lima, I'm tempted to make an exception for Pardo's Chicken . I wouldn't make it my only meal in Lima but if you see it around, you might want to have a nibble.

Hi All- Have been watching this thread every once in awhile. I will be going to Peru in February and will post once I get back. Going with Friendly Planet group. I went with them a couple years ago to Istanbul. Since I am trafveling alone this time, the itinerary is worth it. We fly into Lima and then Cuzco later. Nazca lines and boat trip also included. ANy fav restaurants in Lima or Cuzco?

Everyone's favorite restaurant seems to be Punto Azul (Calle San Martin 595). Ask a doorman at the new Fiesta Casino and they should be able to point to the right direction. Once you get there, you can't miss the blue paint or the crowd of people waiting for tables. Be there early since food tends to run out by 4:00 pm.

Spend as little time in Lima as possible. When we went, we spent one night in Lima and that was more than enough. I am in excellent shape and when I had been in Cusco for 3 hours, felt very light headed, not nauseated, just like I was floating, wanted to lay down. The tea helped. Talked to others who had family members who were sick for days.
Machu Picchu is at a lower altitude and wasn't a problem.

Robert, the most difficult part of your trip will be the flight from Lima to Cusco. Planes have limited instruments. Often flights have to stop somewhere along the way (in our case it was out in nowhere)and wait for the clouds to clear from the high mountain tops.

It is imperative that you check into your lodging as soon as you arrive in Cusco. Drink
the coca tea as soon as possible and go to sleep for a couple of hours. As soon as you wake up, chew on one of the leaves that will be in the tea pot. Whatever you do, do not go for a walk first. YOU WILL END UP WITH A GIANT HEADACHE, NAUSEA, STOMACH PROBLEMS, ETC.

Be sure to make reservations at the only hotel in Machu Pichu (a year in advance) The hotel has limited space available. There is nothing like waking up to Machu Pichu early in the morning, sans tourists. It is a most magical and spiritual experience.

You can hike the Machu Pichu mountain, however, you have to sign in at the gate. Many a tourist has been blown off the mountain during high winds.

The train ride from Cusco to Machu Pichu goes through a most beautiful valley. The train stops a few times along the way. Look for red-cheeked little girls who sell wild orchid bouquets for a dollar or two.

While in Cusco, ask about market days in surrounding villages. Negotiate a taxi driver for the day, it is not expensive.

I concur - just got back a week ago. The only trouble I had with the altitude was a but of heart flutter in the night - nothing major. I drank the tea religiously - and it tastes good. Some in our group who took the medicine had worse reaction from the meds than anything the ones who got alt sickness had. Take tea, have a meal and then go out and about. It was a great trip!

We will immediately be picked up from the airport and taken to the Sacred Valley where we will stay for 5 nights then go back up to Cusco for 3 nights. we are not taking the train from the sacred valley to Cusco we are "running" (well probably more like walking). I am going with a specialty travel company that does running and walking tours. we used them for Patagonia.

I don't have much of a problem with altitude I've been over 18000 feet several times no problem. My wife does hence the Acclimitization days in the 8900 ft Sacred Valley. the high point of the trip is only 13,800 ft at the dead womans pass.

So we are doing one short day then 27 miles of the Inca trail as the "Inca trail Marathon". we will be staying in Agua caliente for machu Pichu days.
Everything is booked we will be with a bunch of other runners. RR

Update. I have found a wide variation in prices for guides/tours in the sacred valley.(this probably applies to Machu Pichu as well)

It seems as though the highly visable companies with a big internet presence are much much more expensive! To give you an idea of the variation for a private guide service for a dayhike (full day). Range 35 dollars to nearly 10 times this amount 350.

The expensive companies I guess have more overhead and only a small portion of the money goes to the actual guide. The cheapest is locating and contracting with a small company or guide directly.

For Ollantaytambo I found a recommended company listed in the Moon guide Peru.They are based right in Ollan... .

We are going to do two dayhikes with them Pumararca and beyond to Huilloc. Hike to the quarry and beyond to the sungate.

KB Peru

I am also probably doing a hike on our first full day while Peg rests and acclimates. I have some names and contact info from the

South American Explorers Club


Again this involves contacting the guides and making your own arrangements including transportation but for a 90% savings I think its worth it! RR

The Peruvian Andes have many human made and natural wonders to offer: Machu Picchu, Imperial Cuzco, the Colca Canyon (the deepest canyon in Latin America), and Lake Titicaca (the highest navigated lake in the world), are just a few of them. The Path of Inca, Inca Trail considered to be the most beautiful in the world. You do not have to be an expert in order to enjoy this journey to the lost city, Machu Picchu - an amazing Inca citadel. From Cuzco you can also go Manu National Park, which is a part of Amazon Jungle. If you are looking for the reliable company I suggest you to check Latour Company at www.latour.com.
Take their professional advice. I don’t agree with you that the most of the money goes to the company and just a small portion to the guide. It all depends what kind of guide company is using. Latour guides were very knowledgeable and provided exceptional service. There are a lot of guides advertising themselves on a web, but you don’t know them. I’d better go with the company that cherishes its reputation and easily accessible. I arranged my trip to Peru with Latour in April and it was fantastic!

quote:

Originally posted by ladyny:
The Peruvian Andes have many human made and natural wonders to offer: Machu Picchu, Imperial Cuzco, the Colca Canyon (the deepest canyon in Latin America), and Lake Titicaca (the highest navigated lake in the world), are just a few of them. The Path of Inca, Inca Trail considered to be the most beautiful in the world. You do not have to be an expert in order to enjoy this journey to the lost city, Machu Picchu - an amazing Inca citadel. From Cuzco you can also go Manu National Park, which is a part of Amazon Jungle. If you are looking for the reliable company I suggest you to check Latour Company at www.latour.com.
Take their professional advice. I don’t agree with you that the most of the money goes to the company and just a small portion to the guide. It all depends what kind of guide company is using. Latour guides were very knowledgeable and provided exceptional service. There are a lot of guides advertising themselves on a web, but you don’t know them. I’d better go with the company that cherishes its reputation and easily accessible. I arranged my trip to Peru with Latour in April and it was fantastic!

I've hired guides on several occasions both in Africa and Nepal. In my experience hiring guides directly and locally is the best bargain.

I am using a US company for the bulk of my trip only because I know Devy the owner personally and he is one of the only companies (if not the only company in the world) that does running tours in Peru.

As I said the price difference between a local company and a high profile US based company is its Ten times the price that and they pick you up and drop you off I think I can handle that for a savings of 300 dollars.

Non Peru Example I went with a local Africa based company for a Kilimanjaro climb, my cost for a private guide was about 750 dollars (Dec 2005)

I could have shared a guide with a bunch of strangers with a high end company like Thompson safaris, under the same conditions (tent,pit toilets) for 4 times as much. No thanks I'll have my own guide and save 2250 Dollars!

RR

In now looks like one company can handle all 3 hikes I am planning in our four days in the Sacred Valley.

Even better for the first one KB has agreed to meet me at the hotel, then we will taxi up together to the start of the hike from Just past chinchero (Talca) to Lamay via Huchay Cusco. I am going to take Diamox as it goes to 14700 feet!