Travel Answers

I have chronic back pain. Can I buy Vicodin in Cusco pharmacies ?

Hello Travel Experts!

We just booked our international tickets to Peru and I need some help planning my itinerary there. We're getting into Lima on June 28th and will be headed back to the US on July 7th. Here's what I have so far:

June 29th- morning flight to Puerto Maldonado - 3 nights in Refugio Amazonas
July 2nd - fly to Cucsco (afternoon flight) - 2 nights in Cusco (tues, wed nights)
July 4th (thu) - stay in olly (SV sights, Pisac)
July 5th (Fri) - early morning train to MP, spend day in MP, stay in Aguas calientes - Friday night
July 6th (Sat) - train back to Cusco. Spend last day and night relaxing in Cusco
July 7th (Sun) - early morning flight to Lima, intl flight back to US at 2:15 in the afternoon.

Couple of questions regarding this itinerary:
1. Does it make sense to spend 3 nights in PEM, or should I make it 2 nights and spend 1 extra day in the Cusco region?
2. With my current itinerary - I have 3 nights for Cusco - is that too much? Should I instead head back to Lima on July 6th Saturday and spend the day and night in Lima?
3. Is one night enough in Olly? I can also do 1 night in cusco, 2 nights in Olly, and then 1 night again in Cusco on the way back on Sat night?

Would love some feedback!!
By the way, we were thinking Refugio Amazonas for the rainforest stay - anyone have any feedback on that?

Thanks!!!

Choosing to trek from Cuzco to MP in late May. Are there any suitable place to mount the tent and is it really prohibited to make fire on the trek?

Hi,

I am thinking of booking a tour with them but they need me to transfer 50% of the payment to them via western union.

Kindly advise me if anyone has booked before.

Thank you

Joseph

Hello,

I will be travelling to Cusco and Machu Picchu in June--yahooo!

1. Will American style plugs work for my phone charger in Peru?
2. I keep reading and hearing about water in Peru. I have plenty of water purification systems for backpacking--like ultraviolet light, chemical purifiers, and filters. Do I need to take some of them to Peru?
3. My pharmacist tells me to check bottled water in Peru to make sure it was bottled in the U.S. What do you think?

Thanks.

I'm considering travelling to Peru (probably Lima or Cusco) towards the end of the year to take a live-in Spanish course. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions of a short Spanish course (2-6 weeks) in Peru specifically designed for English speaking foreigners ?

I am flying into Cusco, and then going directly to Yucay in the Sacred Valley (I'll be coming back to Cusco later). Can anyone recommend how to get to Yucay? Do I need to pre-arrange a taxi, or can I just get one at the airport when I arrive?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

want to stay in the Plaza de Armes what hotels are right in th Plaze

booked our flights to lima sept 2013, now the next bit, and how to do it. if we saved up and stayed at santuary lodge, does it include the tickets to get into the MP SITE,as it does say you can go in and out as you wish, please help.

Hi! We are planning a trip to Peru (Cusco, Machu Picchu, Tambopata Natural Reserve, lake Titicaca, and possibly Arequipa) with 7 and 9 years old children. We are looking at dates of March 28 or 29 (good Friday) through Sunday, April 7th. I have 2 main concerns: wet, rainy weather and Holy Week travel/crowds. Should we postpone our trip till later time? Some guide books lay that rainy season is Jan-March, and some Jan-Apr, and all saying that Inca trail is impassable during rainy season, and MP is cloudy. We plan to do day hikes in the Sacred Valley, as well as spend 2 day in MP. Will it be very muddy and raining first week of April? Also, how serious of an effect Holy week has on travel? Are trains and hotels really booked up during that time? Thank you!

Hi all, I'm travelling to Peru this time next year, we are going by bus, from Cusco to La Paz via Puno. everyone suggests that it is cheaper to purchase tickets as you go, but a requirement of a Peru Visa is that you have a ticket to prove you are leaving the country. I am wondering how to reconcile the two? Help on this subject would be really appreciated!

Hi all, I'm looking to go to Cusco this time next year (January 2014). Bus is how we are getting around. I have been told that for bus travel you book as you go (because it is cheaper), but on a Peru visa you need to have a ticket to prove you are leaving the country, how then do you reconcile the two? we are flying into Cusco and taking a bus to La Paz via Puno.

It appears that there are so many places to visit in Machu Picchu, and the entire Sacred Valley. We want to get the best of it in our 6 day stay in the region. Although we are not campers or hikers we were considering the 4 day INCA trail or Lares trail (please advise which is better an why?)but then we were wondering if (a) we would miss out on other wonderful sites (b)were wondering about how rough the roughing it is was(i've heard you pee in holes and from others that there are abolution facilities). Can anyone clarify this? Does the 4 day hikes include MP and Ollantaytambo? If we do the latter, what is the best way to structure our stay. where do we sleep over and what transport do we use to and from destinations and in what order is advisable. Should we include the two day, one night sacred valley hike from kilometer 104? If so how do we obtain tickets for this (only 400 trekkers per day) what sites does it include and costs? We would like to see Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Pisac, MP, Urumbara on our own understanding that it is best to overnights in Agues Calientes, Cusco & Ollantaytambo for early rises and convenience. Do we need tour guides for these sites? Please help asap. So very much appreciated and Thanks in advance.

Hi Hi. I'm all confused. Please help if there are too many or too few day allocations for best travel in Peru. Please advise if I should leave any stops out if not worth while visiting and please explain why? 1) Firstly I'm contemplating one of two directions of travel. Either Lima-Puno-Cusco-MP or Lima-Cuzco-MP-Puno-(either to Lima or back to Cuzco)? Which is better and why in terms of acclimatizing and cost effectivness in trasnport travel? In these orders above we would like to visit Colca Canyon and ARequipa - if worth it and possibly Nazca. Please advise how this can be done if I have it all wrong. 2) We are using voyager tickets to fly into Lima with the option of continuing to Cusco (without stopping in Lima) Is Lima worth the stop for a day or two? If so then we may consider a day tour to Nazca Lines and return to Lima. Where buses can be used please advise company and costs and where we find them to book from those locations Itineraty 1 Day 1: Lima Day 2: Lima --> Nazca --> Lima Day 3: Lima --> Cusco (overnight) Day 4: Cuzco (overnight)- must pay for this flight from Lima -see itinerary 2 Day 5: visit Pisac (sunday)& Cuzco (overnight) Day 6: Train Cuzco--> MP (overnight agues calientes) Day 7: Train MP --> Ollantaytambo (overnight here) Day 8: Back to MP --- Train urubamba (overnight) Day 9: Train Cuzco --> Puno (overnight) Day 10: Puno--> Lake Titicaca and homestay Day 11: Puno--> Arequippa (overnight) Day 12: Day trip 4M bus to Colca Canyon & Return Day 13: Either fly from Areqippa to Lima (additional cost-no stop in Lima) or fly Areqipa to Cusco (to Lima with voyager) or train to Cusco Itineraty 2 Day 1: Fly directly into Cuzco arrive lunch time. (overnight) Day 2: Cuzco (overnight) Day 3: visit Pisac (sunday) & Cuzco (overnight) Day 4: Train Cuzco--> MP (overnight agues calientes) Day 5: Train MP --> Ollantaytambo (overnight here)** or day trip Day 6: Back to MP --- 2 day sacred trail hike km 104 - How do we book for this? Day 7: MP Day 8: MP--> Train urubamba (?overnight or day trip) Day 9: Train Cuzco --> Puno (overnight) Day 10: Puno--> Lake Titicaca and homestay Day 11: Puno--> Arequippa (overnight) Day 12: Day trip 4M bus to Colca Canyon & Return Day 13: Either fly from Areqippa to Lima or fly or train to Cusco (suggested why?) - Day 14: Depart Peru With itineraty 2 we miss Lima Thanks

I would like to ask a few questions about my trip.. 1. How is the weather in February in Cusco and MP? 2. I will be traveling with a suitcase, so I prefer to stay in Cusco and take a train to Aguas Calientes just for the day. Is it safe traveling back to Cusco during the night? 3. Will MP be crowded that period of time? I have to arrive early or not? How many hours I need to spend there? If there is anyone traveling there the same period, pls contact! :) thanks

we are planning to visit peru in March and were wondering if machu pichu is closed during this rainy season. If it is, where do you suggest we visit instead?

Hi Everyone, Me and my wife are currently planning our trip to Cuzco for March 2013 and we could use some advise by someone who has already done a day trip to MP from Cuzco. We are planning to stay in the area for about a week and we don't intend doing the 4-day trek. We only need to find the most efficient and safest way to get to MP from Cuzco early in the morning and leave in the evening. Staying overnight at Aguas Calientes is not an option, we would like to to the day trip directly from the town of Cuzco where we will be lodging. Does anyone know what is the easiest way to do it? In terms of buying the tickets for the site, can someone advise what is the safest way? I saw many options online and very different price ranges and I got a bit confused. Is it safe enough to buy the tickets from the Cuzco tourist office the day before, or is it a long shot? I really appreciate your responses

Can any one help us with obtaining some information on if it will be possible to find a reputable guiding company the first part of March to do a 4 day Inca trail to MP. I know it books up early but if my wife and I could make reservations now that would be great. We live in Seattle and plan on being in Lima around the 5th of March 2013. Recommendations on the most reputable guide service would also be appreciated. Obviously, we are behind in getting this together but hoping some of you VT'rs will have some suggestions. Thanks as always

Hi all, Has anyone had good or bad experiences with Inspired Adventures?? About to sign up for their charity trek to machu picchu

Has anyone taken a trip to Machu Picchu using Road Scholar? I am thinking of taking one of their trips, but want to know the quality of their trips.

I will be staying in Cusco during the above dates. I would enjoy meeting up with fellow travelers for interesting conversation over tea, coffee, and/or food

Hi everyone, I'll have only 2 days staying in Cusco in October. I save 1 full day for Machu Picchu. For the last day, I intend to visit either Inca Sacred Valley or historic places in Cusco. What should I choose: The Valley or Cusco? Is it possible spending half day for Ollanteytambo and then going back for visiting Cusco in the afternoon? Looking forward to hearing your advices.

Hi everyone, I will be in Lima in September on a business trip and I'm looking for a quick trip to Machu Picchu from Lima. Searching the net, I see a lot of tour packages for Machu Picchu, but confused on which one to take. I'm looking for a 3 day, 2 night tour from Lima to Machu Picchu. Anyone who has done this in the past and has any recommendations? Thanks.

Hello- I am currently in the process of planning an almost year-long stay near Cusco, volunteering at a children's school. There are so many facets to consider that I am slightly overwhelmed. I'm not sure if any of you can directly address my situation, but any advice would be helpful! 1) My first difficulty is purchasing tickets. I plan to leave September '12 and return August '13, but so far I have been unable to find a travel website that will book that far in advance. But, one-way tickets cost almost as much as round-trip tickets. Is there any way to get around this? 2) Also: I was told by the group I am working with that I should come in as a "tourist" and then apply for temporary residency afterwards, to stay longer than 3 months. Will customs flag this, especially if my return ticket is more than 3 months? 3) General question about Cuzco: I have been told to expect everything from extreme cold to burning heat, during my stay. Does anyone who has been to Cuzco in the hotter and cooler months have any recommendations/advice? Thank you for your help! Brian

It is a good idea to book with the tour expeditions or guides in the airport. Afterall this must be the most official tours in Cusco. I am not looking for a bargin but a fair price that will offer exactly what they are offering.

My husband and I are planning a hiking trip to Peru mid-October for amonth. We are used to hiking on our own (no guides or tours). We also prefer "day-hikes". Any advice or suggestions. We thought of staying in Cusco for most of the time, and using it as a base for hikes. Is this a good location? I would appreciate all suggestions.

Hello everyone...one more MP question for you all. We arrive into MP at around 2pm on a Sunday, we are then staying at the Sanctuary lodge that night and plan to be up early on Monday, to catch the sunrise. We are also thinking about taking a tour that morning. Which would you recommend? 1) Temple of the moon: Temple on the lower part of Waynapicchu, following same trail that takes you to the summit. OR 2) Huayna Picchu - Young Mountain. This mountain is located towards the north of the Citadel and appears in the background of Machu Picchu’s classic pictures. Any thoughts? We will have all afternoon to walk around the ruins, since we are staying at the lodge, so we thought an early morning tour on Monday would be nice. We are leaving MP around 2pm on Monday.

People have told me it is not a good idea to stay in the town because it is too noisey at night. Any thoughts or recommendations? Also we are planning to take the train to MP should we buy tickets in Cusco or before we depart from the US? Which train would be the best to book?

Is there a train from Lima to Cuzco?

Hello, We are two french travelling to the Machu Picchu. We booked on the 9th of July so we have to leave Cuzco on the 8th. If anyone is interested to share a combi which would take us to Agua caliente faster (max 8 pers), tell me. Then, we planed to go to the lake Titicaca on the bolivian side, a friend told us to take a combi to go by the north part of the lake from Juliaca (1h before puno). It's a more typical trip, we'll be in a small community. Well our friends did both trips and said this one is amazing. But this tour is not offered by many agencies so we have to get their by ourselves. So we can take a taxi and travel together in this area, if anyone is interested, contact me :) Emilie :)