AREQUIPA-CUZCO_SKIP LAKE TITICACA?
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Dec 4, 2012 4:01 PM Last Post By: krzysz
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AREQUIPA-CUZCO_SKIP LAKE TITICACA?
Hello guysWe are flying to Peru on thursday, and...we still haven t decided exactly where we re going, hehe
I have booked the domestic flights, through the peruvian site of LAN (hope they are not going to charge me extra at the airport, when they discover, I m not a peruvian!). We are flying from Lima to Arequipa first, on the 8 th of december, and we return from Cuzco to Lima on the 16th...the inbetween is quite chaotic right now...Any help?
A itinerary we had in mind, is not quite working with the buses routes:
First day: Lima, night 1: Lima
Second day : Arequipa (arrive 13.20), night 2 : Arequipa
Third day : Arequipa+ Santa Catalina, night 3: Arequipa
Fourth day: Arequipa-Puno, depart at 13h, arrive at 19h, night 4: Puno, via M4
Fifth day (Tuesday):half dayake Titicaca, depart to Cuzco via Inca expresshttp://inca express departs only in the early morning...so quite impossible!, night 5: Cuzco
Sixth day : Sacred valley , night 6: Ollay
Seventh day Machu Picchu, night 8: aguas calientes
Eight day: Machu Picchu, night 8: Cuzco
Ninth day: Cuzco, night 9 : Cuzco
tenth day: Lima, back to Europe
to cut the long story short, it seems that lake titicaca simply, does not fit. We are people that are willing to sqeeze a lot of things in our itinerary, but the point is to enjoy the trip and kind on immence in the local spirit. What do you think? Is there a direct bus route from arequipa to cuzco? Safe?
Thank you in advance for all your help
natalia
Edited by: natkoko79
1
You have 8 days to fit in 5 places of interest. Quite impossible. A bit too much if you ask me. Not to mention the altitude can have an effect on some people but its too rushed.If it was me, I'd be skipping Arequipa and Puno altogether (its just not worth it) and concentrate on the 8 days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. A few days in Cusco, and then through the Valley. Leaving MP as the last bit of the tour (as it is a massive highlight and everything else builds up to it).
If you can't skip Arequipa, than skip Puno. Lake Titicaca has some amazing scenery, theres just something missing. And Puno is a place that isn't great.
2
Agree, MP is the highlight of most people's Peru holidays and should be savoured at the end.I would skip one night at Arequipa and try to fit in Lake Titicaca and include a visit to the unique and magical Uros Islands. Morning is best when the waters are still. Puno is indeed a dump.
The big question to ask yourself is "Am I returning?"
If "Yes" save it for next time and spend more time in Cusco and surrounds.
If "No" try to squeeze in Titicaca (deleting Arequipa) as you may later regret not going.
3
When checking in for your domestic flights with LAN they will ask to see your Peruvian passport or Peruvian residence permit (tarjeta de extranjerÃa). If you don't have either, unfortunately for sure they will make you pay the difference at that moment before they let you enter the plane. So, be prepared.5
You have exactly three days to get Peruvian nationality or a resident's card, otherwise you'll have to pay like Casaana wrote.You should have tried the Star Peru, Peruvian Airlines or LC Peru which are local airlines unlike Lan & Taca. Check out the websites of these companies and you might find a cheaper flight than the surcharge you'll have to pay for not being a Peruvian citizen or foreigner with residency. Star no longer flies to Arequipa and LC Peru doesn't either so your only bet is www.peruvian.pe
If I were you I would skip Puno & Lake Titicaca and catch a night bus from Arequipa to Cusco otherwise you'll spend quite a lot of time of tourist buses between Arequpa & Puno and Puno & Cusco.
