BACKGROUND: Pre-Covid, my international travels were spread out between Asia Pacific, Europe, and South America. Since Covid, my love for SE Asia intensified and my 6 international trips since Covid have all been to the Asia Pacific, as are my next 3 booked trips. In between those, I managed to squeeze in a trip to South America, the continent I last visited in 2017 and much loved.
The allure of Machu Picchu and the Peruvian culture notwithstanding, one miles-and-points motivation for the trip was to get some utility out of my Asiana miles. I collected them years ago for their excellent redemption rate from North America to Europe (40k in J) and to southern South America (35k in J). Peru was the farthest destination I could make work; it is in the north South America zone, about 6.5 hours from LAX, and costs 27.5k miles - good enough before these sweet spots evaporate after the KE merger.
Another motivation was to make good use of our 5 Marriott free night certs (FNCs). I’ve long heard good things about the Luxury Collection properties in the Sacred Valley. Being able to incorporate them into the trip was a plus.
Quick impressions: MP was breathtaking. Sacred Valley, especially Ollantaytambo, was wonderful. Tambo del Inka is the excellent hotel everyone says it is. Copa J was surprisingly comfortable. Would love to return to Peru.
Here’s the itin we planned:
Day 1 - Fly into LIM; evening and overnight in Lima.
Day 2 - Fly to Cusco, full day visit to Sacred Valley archaeological sites, check into Tambo del Inka.
Day 3 & 4 - Relax in Tambo del Inka.
Day 5 - Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (AC); overnight in AC.
Day 6 - First day in Machu Picchu (MP); hike Route 2 with Inca Bridge and Wayna Picchu (2 separate tickets).
Day 7 - Morning in MP; repeat of Route 2 with Inca Bridge (in case weather wasn’t good 1st day). Afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. Overnight in Ollantay.
Day 8 - Morning in Ollantaytambo. Afternoon train to Cusco. Check into JW Marriott Cusco.
Day 9 - Cusco.
Day 10 - Midday flight to Lima. Evening and overnight in Lima.
Day 11 - Morning flight to LAX with 8 hour layover in PTY.
