Cusco Travel Forum

We are fying from Lima to Cusco and then planning to take a taxi to Ollantaytambo immediately for better altitude acclimatisation. We have booked our train tickets, which we have been told by Peru rail to collect from their ticket office in Cusco. We also have to buy boleto turisto tickets in Cusco before heading to the Sacred valley.

But I am wondering how feasible all that will be considering that we will have a 4 year old with us and also because of the altitude. Can any of you suggest a plan that will be more efficient than driving to different places to buy different tickets?

Have your hotel/hostel in Cusco (prebook a later stay, I'm sure you'll eventually visit Cusco) OR in Ollantaytambo (if you are staying here instead) collect the Peru Rail train tickets and the Boleto Turistico in advance on your behalf, so that you can collect it upon your arrival (while your travel companions wait inside the taxi) en route to your next destination. Don't forget to also have the staff pre-purchase your entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, if you're so inclined to have the Cusco staff handle all this for you. If not, you can always buy the MP entrance tickets in Aguas Calientes. See my "warning tip" on my MP page re: where to buy said tickets. Good Luck & Enjoy Beautiful Peru!

We stopped in Chinchero in route to Ollantaytambo and purchased our boleto turisto tickets. You can buy the boleto turisto tickets at any of the major sights, probably at the entrance to the ruins in Ollantaytambo as well. We also exchanged our print out for actual train tickets at the Ollantaytambo station, very easy- no lines, only took a few minutes. Ollantaytambo is a wonderful quiet little place, be sure to explore all the little streets. Enjoy a well priced delicious meal at Puka Rumi restaurant inside KB Tambo Hostal.(we had our best meals there). I am sure you will have a great trip!