My husband and I are a retired couple, very excited to be going to Argentina and Peru this August/September. We are travelling on a budget, mostly staying in private rooms in hostels.
We are on the waiting list for one place in Ollantaytambo and were booked into a second. (Sept. 9,10) Today I got a letter from hostelbookers saying that the place I had booked has had recent poor reviews and is unlicensed.
So we are looking for another place to stay. It seems to be a busy time. Many of the places I could book online are unavailable. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do not want to take a chance on not having a place.
christabelle
1
boogereater
There is a guy who specialized in sacred valley, Ollantaytambo treks at Chaski Ventura. They are local guys based in Cachicatta (a couple kms from Ollantaytambo) and awesome guys. We just used them for a trek in Salcantay/MP.
They will take care of you, and allow you to stay at places that are connected to the community and that benefit the community. You can contact them at info@chaskiventura.com The sacred valley is their home and their pride.
ask for Klever. He's from Cachicatta. Tell them Matt Kelley said to say hello.
3
goodtimebob
I wouldn't worry. August/Sept. is not the really high season. Cheap hotels and hostels for the most part aren't listed with agencies like hostelbookers. Their rates are so low that paying commissions isn't usually feasible. Hence, the few that are listed get filled. Plenty of non-listed. Hostels... especially the kind found in Peru these days... tend to not have the best reviews..due mainly to the limited facilities and the type of people that stay there. Licensing.. getting all the permits is not something that many Peruvian companies do 100%. Check out the bureacracy and you soon understand. BTW... for a couple dollars more in Peru you can almost always find a hotel with private room and better facilities. I'm surprised at your choice of Ollantaytambo. I've been to the area many times. Locating in Cusco makes a lot more sense. Ollan is a short, very cheap trip on public transport from Cusco. It is interesting... but only enough to occupy you for a few hours. Day trip kinda place. BTW... in the decades I've traveled in Peru I've yet to reserve a hotel in advance. Never been an issue. You aren't going during a major holiday and aren't looking to book Inca Trail. Reservations just tie you into a schedule.
4
evening
We were at Pakaritampu (probably the nicest hotel in town) and got bounced out for our last night thanks to a big tour group...
We ended up at Ollantaytambo Lodge, which was OK. Someone I was with checked and said it was $9 night. A cut above rustic. My room faced the bull in the yard next door!
I cant believe I would recommend the place that bounced us, but would definitely go for Pakaritampu if you can get it. Night and day from the other hotels.
5
altecci1
Pacaritampu is a bit pricy; we used Ollantaytambo Lodge (2 blocks from the square) and in cusco Incama hostel (www.incamahostel.com) both were good value for money, no hesitation to recommend 'em!
6
christabelle
Thank you everyone for all your help. I still do not have a secure place. Everything I could find under $100 with an email address or website is booked for one or both the dates I want. (That includes Ollantaytambo Lodge)
One last place for which I found an email address has yet to reply. I have sent out requests for a reservation to two others by snail mail. However it would cost them stamps to reply so I am not holding out much hope.
We may have to do as Goodtime Bob says and hope for something when we get there. We are staying in Cuzco for two days before going to the SV and if worst comes to worst could go back there, but getting the early train from O. would not be fun.
So if anyone else has any ideas or suggestions they would be most welcome.
7
goodtimebob
Early train??? Using Ollan. as a base for leaving for MP? One thing about Cusco hotels and all on the route to MP. There are a slew of folks getting up God awful early to go to MP. You will hear them every morning. It is the same from cheap to fancy. If it isn't your date then I hope you are the type who can roll over and go back to bed. Else... ear plugs. I still think you are better off...including quality of hotel.. by staying in Cusco. Easy to make the MP run from there. So much to do in Cusco and one of the great shames about the fanatical popularity of MP in recent years is that so much else is missed by so many. For Cusco... two weeks is a good minimum stay...not including days on the trail. A month isn't too much. That means you get to know the little spots...not just dash in and out. Where are you going after Cusco? I don't mean the next stop...but over the next ten years. Is it going to be as interesting? Take some extra time. Look at Peru travel questions here. Far too many are about dashing from point A to point B without care about in between.
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