currid7
Level 2 Member
Hey just to close the loop and update everyone we completed our trip over Labor Day weekend (I know over a month ago haha) and here's some of the details. This is definitely not how most people would do Machu Picchu, but we could only squeeze in a quick trip and I think we definitely made the most of it. The only stuff we'd really consider "missed" was Sacsayhuaman and the 7 color mountain (which we'll probably go back to on a stopover in Lima).
We do a pretty good job of squeezing most unnecessary time out of trips, while also relaxing and catching our breath when we can. I usually catch z's on buses / trains / planes and we'll almost always hit a lounge before/after our flight to charge up, fuel up, take a breath. We certainly didn't see everything in the Sacred Valley, but Machu Picchu was the main point of the trip and frankly the Salineras actually made the trip.
Wed
7:09pm - Land at DFW dinner at Centurion
Thur
5:35am - Land at LIM, hangout in VIP Lounge (really small, but relaxed)
9:45am - Depart LIM
11:05am - Land CUZ
took cab to Plaza de Armas, then took Colectivo to Ollantaytambo (departure a few blocks from Plaza de Armas)
Lunch in Ollantaytambo Plaza
4:00pm - Depart Ollantaytambo on Inca Rail
6:09pm - Arrive Aguas Calientes, check in to Hostel, dinner at Mapacho (definitely recommend)
Fri
4:15am - Get in line for MP bus (tickets bought day before at bus kiosk)
Arrive at MP, hike Huayna Picchu, explore MP til 2ish
Lunch at French café in Aguas, we had a 6:30pm train ticket back to Ollanta, but we were able to change it to around 3
3:00pm~ Train back to Ollanta, got Colectivo back to Cusco
Checked into hostel dinner at chicken place in Cusco, set up cab for next day
Sat
6:00am - Met cab in front of hostel
Went to Salineras de Maras (totally recommend!!), tried to go to Moray, but lady at gate wouldn't let us in without one of the "official" multi-day passes
Saw little square in Maras
1:30pm~ Back in Cusco, explored plaza, bought some trinkets, took pictures, hung out at cafe
3:50pm - Depart CUZ (hung in much better international lounge outside security)
5:15pm - Land LIM
We had originally booked a hostel in a bad neighborhood, but we were able to reserve at the DoubleTree El Pardo (totally recommend)
We had dinner and just relaxed at this awesome hotel.
Sun
7:00am - Bus to Ica, cab from Ica to Huacachina
Sandboarding, dune buggy ride
Lunch / beers in Huacachina
4:00pm - Bus from Ica to Lima
Got room service for dinner and packed up
Mon
6:40am - Depart LIM - END OF TRIP
We do a pretty good job of squeezing most unnecessary time out of trips, while also relaxing and catching our breath when we can. I usually catch z's on buses / trains / planes and we'll almost always hit a lounge before/after our flight to charge up, fuel up, take a breath. We certainly didn't see everything in the Sacred Valley, but Machu Picchu was the main point of the trip and frankly the Salineras actually made the trip.
Wed
7:09pm - Land at DFW dinner at Centurion
Thur
5:35am - Land at LIM, hangout in VIP Lounge (really small, but relaxed)
9:45am - Depart LIM
11:05am - Land CUZ
took cab to Plaza de Armas, then took Colectivo to Ollantaytambo (departure a few blocks from Plaza de Armas)
Lunch in Ollantaytambo Plaza
4:00pm - Depart Ollantaytambo on Inca Rail
6:09pm - Arrive Aguas Calientes, check in to Hostel, dinner at Mapacho (definitely recommend)
Fri
4:15am - Get in line for MP bus (tickets bought day before at bus kiosk)
Arrive at MP, hike Huayna Picchu, explore MP til 2ish
Lunch at French café in Aguas, we had a 6:30pm train ticket back to Ollanta, but we were able to change it to around 3
3:00pm~ Train back to Ollanta, got Colectivo back to Cusco
Checked into hostel dinner at chicken place in Cusco, set up cab for next day
Sat
6:00am - Met cab in front of hostel
Went to Salineras de Maras (totally recommend!!), tried to go to Moray, but lady at gate wouldn't let us in without one of the "official" multi-day passes
Saw little square in Maras
1:30pm~ Back in Cusco, explored plaza, bought some trinkets, took pictures, hung out at cafe
3:50pm - Depart CUZ (hung in much better international lounge outside security)
5:15pm - Land LIM
We had originally booked a hostel in a bad neighborhood, but we were able to reserve at the DoubleTree El Pardo (totally recommend)
We had dinner and just relaxed at this awesome hotel.
Sun
7:00am - Bus to Ica, cab from Ica to Huacachina
Sandboarding, dune buggy ride
Lunch / beers in Huacachina
4:00pm - Bus from Ica to Lima
Got room service for dinner and packed up
Mon
6:40am - Depart LIM - END OF TRIP