Espinar and around (detour between Cusco and Arequipa/Chivay)

I didn't find anything about Espinar (Yauri) in the LP and on internet but me and my girlfriend have just traveled around this part of Peru a few days ago. It was amazing and I don't understand why doesn't LP cover this. It's even faster to get to Arequipa from Cusco on this way and much nicer than the normal route. So, here are the details.

ESPINAR/YAURI (3950 m)

Espinar is a department on the Altiplano and the home of the Kana people. The capital is Yauri but most people (even the bus companies) call it as Espinar. The small town (around 30 000 hab.) was established 100 years ago when they discovered and opened the zinc and copper mine, Tintaya. The town has grown fast and become the biggest settlement between Sicuani and Areqipa. Espinar is not a beautiful town and it's very cold at night (from May to July below 0 degrees) but it's the best and only place to stay and great ... more »

machu picu

i am thinking of going to machu picu in august, for 2 weeks, is it a good time to go? and how long do i need for a good trek? and any other advice i need to know? what money do i take and how is the weather in that month?

Cusco to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon?

Hi, I am hoping to get the lunchtime flight and wondred if I could get to Ollanttaytambo on the same day? I don´t want to get ripped off by a taxi and I hear the collectivos only run in the morning? Thanks for any help

cusco to pucapalla

Hey guys

Looking to get from Cusco to pucapalla in a couple of weeks via bus, any recommendations about the best route to take
The length of time and the cost would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Mitch

1 month Peru, then 2 weeks Bolivia, 2 weeks Ecuador

This will be my 1st time in S. America, although I've done lots of independent travelling (mainly in SE Asia)

Arrive 11 July for 1 month in Peru,

....want to include Inca Trail 4-6 day trek

6 days in Amazon, but don't know which would be better - Iquitos or Manu Biosphere - this will also depend on whether I go next to Ecuador or Bolivia....I guess Manu/Tambopata would make more sense if I then went on to Lake Titicaca & Bolivia.....maybe then fly back to Lima after 2 weeks in Bolivia??

If I went to Iquitos, then I'd need to fly back to Lima before travelling up to Ecuador?
which "exit strategy" would be more practicable?

I'm open to suggestions for the remainder of my time in Peru.....I'm a healthy 60 yo, mainly interested in history, archaeology, landscape photography & painting.....can understand some Spanish, as I'm pretty familiar with Italian language & they ha... more »

G Adventures

This is my first post – my husband and I are considering an 8 day G Adventures tour of MP and surrounding attractions, recommended by Lonely Planet. Perhaps the question is redundant since LP is endorsing it, but I'd like to hear from any who've experienced this tour or others offered by this group. We are in our 60's, are relatively fit (we like walking, not hiking!) and healthy, and live in Mexico, so we'd be flying in from Mexico City to Lima and probably spending a day or two in that city before the tour. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Gracias!

flight schedule

Hey guys,

we planned to get a flight from Cuzco to Lima the same day, that our flight leaves from Lima back home.
Is it risky? Are there a lot of delays , cancellations due to weather conditions in June?

We thought of taking the first flight in the morning with Star Peru, leaving our luggage at the airport in Lima and
check out Lima a little bit.

Thanks for the advise!!

Cheers
Andrea

Peru: travel plan for 20 days - feedbacks & suggestions

Based on suggestions from vasenka, polyglot25, trent84, and others in my May posting, below is how I am thinking of spending my 20 days in Peru. Let me know your view. My interests are foods + scenery/photography, Thanks in advance for your help.

day 1-3: Huacachina. It takes 4-5 hours to get there so I have at best 2.5 days there. Will spend one day visiting Ballestas Island. The other day potentially doing Nazca flight or just relax to adjust to Peru's environment. Overnight to Arequipa--believe there is an overnight bus.
Q: I arrived at LIM midnight. What is the earliest bus I can catch to Ica? I'd like to avoid a night in Lima if there is a bus at 3-4 in the morning.

day 4-5: Arequipa. It seems to be an interesting city and also a chance for me to acclimatize.

day 6-7: Colca trek. Should I do 2d1n or 3d2n? Based on tour description from one agency, it se... more »