the sacred valley
Written: Mar 31 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: good restaurants
Cons: none
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| charly2000's Full Review: Machu Picchu |
WEATHER: Sunny
TRIP RATING: 10
ROUTE:
Arrived at Cusco by train from Puno, 7h25 a.m. to 6h p.m. S/78.45 in Inka Class
Great landscapes on the way. Bring pens with you to offer to children at the train stops (numerous), they will be very happy.
HOTELS:
Loreto| Calle Loreto 115, (084) 226 352 |Triple with bath $50| ask for rooms on the first floor, rooms with inca walls are near the entry and the reception and so they are nice but noisy. Lucio the boss is helpful and OK. The other guy is not very fluent in English. Repeat everything several times to be sure he has understood, and make him write it, otherwise he will forget (he is not Luis). For example, he forgot to pick us up at the train station. But the Loreto is the best hotel of our trip even if it is expensive (but everything is expensive in Cusco compared to the rest of Peru). If you have to leave early in the morning, ask for hot water because there is none very early in the morning.
In Aguas Calientes |Gringo Bills| (084) 211 046, $42 for a triple with bath| good but expensive.
ESSENTIALS:
We visited the Sacred Valley on Sunday with a taxi (S/120 for the whole day, if you are 3 or 4, it is OK), and you are free to do what you want. The Pisac market is nice to see but don't buy anything, it is more expensive than in Cusco. Don't stop in Urubamba to eat, there are only expensive tourist restaurants, go directly to Ollantaytambo, there is a little restaurant near the ruins.
To Macchu Picchu, if there is not a strike, go on your own. It is easy. We took the Loreto tour because of a strike between Cusco and Ollantaytambo, $50 for bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (S/10 R/T), local train with reserved seat to Aguas Calientes (S/40 R/T), bus to Macchu Picchu (S/20 R/T), entry ($10), guide for 2 hours. There is the possibility of spending one night in Aguas Calientes if you want (keep your first day ticket to pay $5 the next day). We have made the four ruins near Cusco by horse (Puca Pucara, Tambo Machay, kenko, Sacsayhuaman). It was really nice, but make it before seeing Macchu Picchu !!! We have chosen Eric's adventures, Plateros 324, (084) 232 244. $15 for 3 hours.
COMMENTS:
Don't miss the sunrise on Macchu Picchu, it's magic, and don't miss the little trek to Huayna Picchu, very early in the morning, it is not difficult, just take your time, it is really worth it. In Cusco, try the café Varayoc, Espaderos 142, 232404, a very good restaurant with Swiss specialties. Eat breakfast at Café Ayullu, on the Plaza de armas, under the arcades just at the left of the cathedral, they have varied and delicious breakfast, but don't be hurried. Shopping in Cusco is everywhere in the streets, but if you want a really beautiful alpaga sweater go to the little street which runs from the Plaza de Armas (right of the cathedral) to the San Blas church. It is much more expensive than in the street but it definitely worth it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
charly2000
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Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 1 member
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