Originally Posted by
dshaz
I'm not meaning to threadjack, but I'm doing a similar trip. The info in this thread is very useful so thanks.
My trip is a little different in that I have 17 days and that this is going to be my honeymoon in late October. At this point I have decided to cut out Puno and replace it with Paracas (maybe a mistake, but we'll see).
* I'm using AA miles for the flight.
* I'm using SPG points in Paracas, Urubamba, and possibly Cuzco as I've read here there is another hotel in Cuzco being remodeled as a starwood hotel that might open in June/July.
Here is my plan so far:
1. (flight) Home->Lima (arrive at 4:30am) --> 7:00am (3hr bus) Paracas/Pisco
2. Paracas (Huacachina/Ica daytrip for dunebuggying and winery tours)
3. Paracas (Nazca daytrip)
4. (3hr bus) Lima (2hr flight) Arequipa
5. Arequipa
6. (bus) Chivay / Colca Canyon
7. Chivay / Colca Canyon
8. (bus) Arequipa (flight) Cuzco
9. Cuzco
10. Cuzco
11,12,13,14. (trek Inca Trail) Machu Picchu
15. Urubamba (sacred valley tours)
16. Urubamba
17. (flight) Cuzco->Lima->Home
Things I'm still trying to figure out:
1. How can I squeeze in a dinner at that nice restaurant in Lima? Maybe make my Cuzco->Lima flight happen on day 16? A dinner like that might be the perfect way to end our honeymoon.
2. Which hotel to stay at in Colca Valley
3. I'm really iffy on going to Nazca for the flight over the nazca lines. I've read in forums that some people felt it wasn't worth it. But my fiancee currently thinks that looks awesome and really wants to do it. So its on the itinerary for now.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Again sorry to threadjack.
If you want to see all the Nazca lines, a flight is your only option, otherwise there is an observation tower along the Panamericana highway from where you can see 2-3 figures. It is for sure something unique, not as impressive as you might think, but still worthwile to do. Flights are done with small aircrafts and the pilots will fly many sharp curves (have a good stomach). You have to reserve your flight at least the day before, but be aware that flight schedules are depending on what time the fog clears. Try to be on an early flight, as the last ones are subject to cancellation, if they cannot start early.
Just on a sidenote, why would you go back to Lima from Nazca to go on to Arequipa then, being already almost halfway south, I'd consider spending a night in Nazca rather than 2 nights in Paracas and taking a bus from there south directly towards Arequipa.