I just got back from here last week and these are my highly biased opinions - I would stay two nights in Macchu Picchu rather than one. It's an overwhelming place and the more time you have to know it at leisure, the better. I was with a group of 4 and 2 stayed at the Sanctuary while I and my partner stayed at the Macchu Picchu Pueblo hotel at the bottom of the mountain. Comparing the two I preferred the Macchu Picchu Pueblo for its overall environment.

Even though you have the ride to the ruins, which the Sanctuary does not, the Pueblo hotel is a destination in itself. They offer nature walks, beautiful lodge accomodations and all sorts of services. Additionally, I found the funky town of Aguas Calientes to be fun and interesting. The friends who stayed at the Sanctuary liked it very well - and it is a nice hotel - but would rather have stayed at the Pueblo in retrospect.

One advantage to not staying at the ruins was that we hiked down to the town, a difficult hike but a lot easier than hiking up.

In Cuzco, we had dinner one night at the Monasterio which was very nice and very formal. Expensive and worth it if you looking for that formality. I wasn't. If you are looking for place to have a coffee, then go there in the afternoon. The building and grounds are beautiful and it was a very good place to stay.

On the other hand, having dinner at the Cafe MAP in the Pre Colombian musuem was entirely noteworthy. I loved it - again expensive but I found the food more adventerous and it's an odd looking restaurant, essentially a glass cube in the courtyard. At least check it out.

Ollantaytambo is very cool. One night is enough.

I don't get altitude sickness but one member of our party does and she was pretty happy with the over the counter anti soroche pills and their effect.