Itinerary help

We have one full day in Cusco between our two trips but would like to know if we should plan more time to visit the sacred valley area

Yeah. The Sacred Valley has a lot of things to see and do. Same with Cusco - theres lots. I'd bank on 3-4 days in that area for things to see and do.

Which really doesn't leave you with much time for other things. And looking at the available dates, I'd probably just go straight to Cusco or spend a day in LIma before flying to Cusco.

You already have a day for Cusco but I agree you could spend 5 more days in that area. Lots of things to see and do and great scenery. There is Pisac (walk down from the top of the ruins to the village so you get to see the amazing temple complex, great views as well). The day you go to Pisac you could also consider the Inkariy Museum. Then there is Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salineras (we walked from Moray to Maras and through the salineras to the river and the road to Urubamba but you can also take a horseback riding tour or a taxi tour). There is Ollantaytambo: scenic town, ruins, granaries, day hikes. Homestays are also possible near Ollantaytambo (look at Awamaki). Then there are the ruins north of Cusco: Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Q'enqo and Sacsayhuaman (we walked from Tambomachay to Sacsayhuaman and back to Cusco). There is also the south valley which we didn't have time for.

I loved the Colca Canyon but if you want a day in Arequipa as well and you want to go hiking in the canyon you need at least 3 days in that area and 4 would be better. That would give you much less time for the Sacred Valley and other sites near Cusco. We went hiking in the canyon on our own (we took a bus to Cabanaconde) but you can also book a tour in Arequipa. Some tours do not have hiking in the canyon (they go to the Colca valley and the Cruz del Condor). Other tours do have hiking in the canyon and I recommend at least one night in the canyon (those tours go the Cruz del Condor as well).

If you add a day to Lima and you don't want to go all the way to Paracas and back there is an alternative for the Ballestas Islands much closer to Lima. I heard about that one after we got home:

http://www.islaspalomino.com/

Are you climbing one of the mountains at Machu Picchu? We chose MP Montana and loved it.

Hi - I'd do just the first day in Lima and head almost inmediately to Cusco. I'm Peruvian, have traveled to Cusco and the Sacred Valley at least 7 or 8 times... but was just there two weeks ago and kept discovering new treks, archaeological sites, places to visit, churches, little cafes in Cusco, etc. Allow more time for the area - no doubt.

Skip Arequipa and other destinations and just focus on Cusco (and surrounding areas) and Manu.

Thanks. So it's looking like we should focus on Lima and the sacred valley. I heard that 28th and 29th are public holidays. Will it likely be busy in Lima ? Will places be closed at all? Thanks again

Public Holidays, will be fairly quiet for the most part. It tends to be a time when everyone gets together with families. Flights etc still run as normal.

Me and my mum a few years ago took an immediately connecting flight to Arequipa. Depending on your international flight this might be a good possibility. This way you also prevent losing to much time in Lima just on airport transfers and airport time.
Arequipa is a nice intermediate city to get used to the height and lower your chances of altitude sickness. After a few days in Arequipa / Cañon del Colca we took a night bus to Cusco. In and around Cusco there is also definitely lots to do. So schedule a few extra days.

Happy travels,
Peter

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.