Feb 9, 2020, 12:17 pm
Tambo del Inka, Urubamba, Peru [Master Thread]
Sep 8, 2014, 6:50 pm
#376
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 333
Perhaps the best SPG property. As SPG Platinum I had a wonderful suite. I could go on forever about the hotel but I'll focus on some travel tips.
Train station attached is great to get to Machu Picchu. The travel agency there seems to buy all the train tickets so you have to pay a market up of $60 USD a person round trip.
We stayed at Tambo 1 night, checked out (they held our bags) and took the train to Aquas Calientes, stayed there 1 night, then returned back to Tambo for a few more nights. You can do the Machu Picchu trip in 1 day, but you won't arrive until 11am or so.
We also did a horseback riding excursion through their travel company and it was bad. The driver didn't know how to get there, which shows they don't use this location often. A slow 2 hours on the horse and no snacks.
I recommend walking to a restaurant named El Huacatuey a few blocks away - the best meal of my Peru trip.
180 Soles to get to and from Cusco.
An interesting thing to note is that you have to pay in Soles, where some of the other hotels allow you to pay in USD. I booked a cash and points option and was quoted a USD rate. They translate this to soles using their rate. After paying with a credit card you effectively get hit with the FX spread twice.
Overall- AMAZING hotel, just not so fond of their travel agency (Tikairy)
Train station attached is great to get to Machu Picchu. The travel agency there seems to buy all the train tickets so you have to pay a market up of $60 USD a person round trip.
We stayed at Tambo 1 night, checked out (they held our bags) and took the train to Aquas Calientes, stayed there 1 night, then returned back to Tambo for a few more nights. You can do the Machu Picchu trip in 1 day, but you won't arrive until 11am or so.
We also did a horseback riding excursion through their travel company and it was bad. The driver didn't know how to get there, which shows they don't use this location often. A slow 2 hours on the horse and no snacks.
I recommend walking to a restaurant named El Huacatuey a few blocks away - the best meal of my Peru trip.
180 Soles to get to and from Cusco.
An interesting thing to note is that you have to pay in Soles, where some of the other hotels allow you to pay in USD. I booked a cash and points option and was quoted a USD rate. They translate this to soles using their rate. After paying with a credit card you effectively get hit with the FX spread twice.
Overall- AMAZING hotel, just not so fond of their travel agency (Tikairy)
Overall, I was fairly impressed with the hotel. There was an issue I've day with a lack of hot water at 4:30 in the afternoon.
Sep 12, 2014, 5:29 pm
#377
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: US Virgin Islands
Programs: AA, Citi
Posts: 15
An interesting thing to note is that you have to pay in Soles, where some of the other hotels allow you to pay in USD. I booked a cash and points option and was quoted a USD rate. They translate this to soles using their rate. After paying with a credit card you effectively get hit with the FX spread twice.
Oct 15, 2014, 1:55 pm
#378
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Capo Beach, California
Posts: 314
Great trip to Tambo. Beautiful location and spa prices reasonable. Had one problem with wake up call (on wrong day) and Issac (General Manager??) waited in front area for me to pass by on way to spa appointment and apologized for the mistake. Remarkable customer service. Walk into town is safe, interesting. There is a big market that has food, flowers, and some local goods. We booked train tickets through Peru for Less and had no problems, not sure how the price compares to local agent. There were about 12 of us on the train, we met in the lobby and were escorted to the train stop by a hotel employee. Because the return train to Tambo was earlier than we wanted to leave we took the train to Olanta?? and to a taxi back to Tambo. Nice platinum recognition, upgraded to a two room suite.
Oct 26, 2014, 1:51 pm
#379
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: SPG- Platinum, Marriott- Gold, United- Platinum, Hertz- 5 Star
Posts: 39
Sorry for the delay in my response. It looks to be about 10%, if you consider the exchange rate when I booked the hotel 5 months before and the ~2% on the off market rates they provide by your cc company.
Oct 26, 2014, 1:53 pm
#380
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: SPG- Platinum, Marriott- Gold, United- Platinum, Hertz- 5 Star
Posts: 39
I found it impossible to book to Urubamba on peru rail. The hotel travel service had bought out all of the perurail tickets and sold them at a premium.
If you want to leave/arrive from/at the hotel, choose Urubamba.
Oct 27, 2014, 2:40 am
#381
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Programs: Military Space-A, UA Plat, AS MVP Gold 75K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,248
Oct 27, 2014, 3:05 am
#382
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YSC (and all its regularly scheduled flights)
Posts: 2,521
Hi all,
I'm surprised that I didn't post in this thread after our trip a couple of years ago - it was awesome! I expect that it must have changed, but the number of points required was also incredibly low given the quality of the property. It was way under-categorized. In fact we liked it so much that my wife and I call my SPG points 'Urubumba points'. My SPG card is the Tambo del Inka option. We'll be back!
In terms of getting back to Cusco, you can also take the 'local' bus. It was incredibly cheap and convenient. We were the only foreigners on it but didn't feel uncomfortable at all. It didn't feel any less safe than the hotel car which we booked to get to the hotel in the first place and which as mentioned above was convenient but expensive.
Regarding being billed in local currency, I always travel with a no-fx charge card (Marriott in my case) which is what I use most of the time when traveling and never use at home (unless I'm at the Marriott!!).
For MP we actually did a 4-day trek (not to MP - NO interest in that many people while trekking!) separately and then came back and stayed overnight at the town below before taking the train and then bus back to Cusco afterwards.
Can't wait to go back.
Dr. PITUK
I'm surprised that I didn't post in this thread after our trip a couple of years ago - it was awesome! I expect that it must have changed, but the number of points required was also incredibly low given the quality of the property. It was way under-categorized. In fact we liked it so much that my wife and I call my SPG points 'Urubumba points'. My SPG card is the Tambo del Inka option. We'll be back!
In terms of getting back to Cusco, you can also take the 'local' bus. It was incredibly cheap and convenient. We were the only foreigners on it but didn't feel uncomfortable at all. It didn't feel any less safe than the hotel car which we booked to get to the hotel in the first place and which as mentioned above was convenient but expensive.
Regarding being billed in local currency, I always travel with a no-fx charge card (Marriott in my case) which is what I use most of the time when traveling and never use at home (unless I'm at the Marriott!!).
For MP we actually did a 4-day trek (not to MP - NO interest in that many people while trekking!) separately and then came back and stayed overnight at the town below before taking the train and then bus back to Cusco afterwards.
Can't wait to go back.
Dr. PITUK
Oct 29, 2014, 3:22 pm
#383
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UAL SPG Hyatt
Posts: 570
HA! I guess we better not mix up our cards. Mine is the same. Been to the TDI twice now over ~4 years and it is wonderful. The hotel (both hardware and staff) has held up well and even improved over the years. One of my fav SPG properties.
Cheers,
SF
Cheers,
SF
Nov 8, 2014, 10:01 am
#384
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 13
Howdy folks,
So my wife and I are presently booked in at TDI for 5 nights next March. Obviously, the proximity to the train station was a really nice perk, but I'm being majorly turned off by the fact that every day we'd be available to visit Macchu Picchu, the return train seems magically booked every day. Guess I should have booked awhile ago, huh? I'm thinking of booking the outleg from the hotel (since I can) and then returning to Ollantaytambo and booking a private driver in advance (DUP or someone similar). Inca Rail though doesn't seem to show anything but the 8:00AM departure from Olly - can I call them or book in a different way to get a better one way to Olly? Or should I just suck it up and take the train from there both ways instead of trying to take it from the hotel?
Also, if I do want to take it from the hotel, do I contact the TDI and assume the hotel bought up all the returns?
So my wife and I are presently booked in at TDI for 5 nights next March. Obviously, the proximity to the train station was a really nice perk, but I'm being majorly turned off by the fact that every day we'd be available to visit Macchu Picchu, the return train seems magically booked every day. Guess I should have booked awhile ago, huh? I'm thinking of booking the outleg from the hotel (since I can) and then returning to Ollantaytambo and booking a private driver in advance (DUP or someone similar). Inca Rail though doesn't seem to show anything but the 8:00AM departure from Olly - can I call them or book in a different way to get a better one way to Olly? Or should I just suck it up and take the train from there both ways instead of trying to take it from the hotel?
Also, if I do want to take it from the hotel, do I contact the TDI and assume the hotel bought up all the returns?
Last edited by zorndeslammes; Nov 8, 2014 at 10:20 am
Nov 8, 2014, 10:43 am
#385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
I got an email from the hotel shortly after I made my reservation offering to book tours for me so they should be reaching out to you. The hotel does seem to book up all the spots on the train. We decided to take the 10:30 train from Olly to Aguas Calientes and returned (to Olly) on the 18:00 train. The train ride from Olly to MP is only 1.5 hrs vs 2.5 hrs from TDI to MP.
MP is extremely crowded in the morning and we decided to avoid that time completely. As a matter of fact, when we disembarked from the bus at MP around 13:00, there was a line up of several hundred people waiting to board buses to go back down to Aguas Calientes. Very happy with our decision as there were much fewer tourists in the afternoon and no line up for the bus at 17:00.
If you are looking for a guide for the Sacred Valley, I can recommend someone who was excellent and well priced. He also provided our transportation to/from Cusco to Urubamba (90 soles each way for 2 people) and to/from Urubamba to Olly (40 soles each way for 2 people).
MP is extremely crowded in the morning and we decided to avoid that time completely. As a matter of fact, when we disembarked from the bus at MP around 13:00, there was a line up of several hundred people waiting to board buses to go back down to Aguas Calientes. Very happy with our decision as there were much fewer tourists in the afternoon and no line up for the bus at 17:00.
If you are looking for a guide for the Sacred Valley, I can recommend someone who was excellent and well priced. He also provided our transportation to/from Cusco to Urubamba (90 soles each way for 2 people) and to/from Urubamba to Olly (40 soles each way for 2 people).
Nov 8, 2014, 12:12 pm
#386
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Howdy folks,
So my wife and I are presently booked in at TDI for 5 nights next March. Obviously, the proximity to the train station was a really nice perk, but I'm being majorly turned off by the fact that every day we'd be available to visit Macchu Picchu, the return train seems magically booked every day. Guess I should have booked awhile ago, huh? I'm thinking of booking the outleg from the hotel (since I can) and then returning to Ollantaytambo and booking a private driver in advance (DUP or someone similar). Inca Rail though doesn't seem to show anything but the 8:00AM departure from Olly - can I call them or book in a different way to get a better one way to Olly? Or should I just suck it up and take the train from there both ways instead of trying to take it from the hotel?
Also, if I do want to take it from the hotel, do I contact the TDI and assume the hotel bought up all the returns?
So my wife and I are presently booked in at TDI for 5 nights next March. Obviously, the proximity to the train station was a really nice perk, but I'm being majorly turned off by the fact that every day we'd be available to visit Macchu Picchu, the return train seems magically booked every day. Guess I should have booked awhile ago, huh? I'm thinking of booking the outleg from the hotel (since I can) and then returning to Ollantaytambo and booking a private driver in advance (DUP or someone similar). Inca Rail though doesn't seem to show anything but the 8:00AM departure from Olly - can I call them or book in a different way to get a better one way to Olly? Or should I just suck it up and take the train from there both ways instead of trying to take it from the hotel?
Also, if I do want to take it from the hotel, do I contact the TDI and assume the hotel bought up all the returns?
I got an email from the hotel shortly after I made my reservation offering to book tours for me so they should be reaching out to you. The hotel does seem to book up all the spots on the train. We decided to take the 10:30 train from Olly to Aguas Calientes and returned (to Olly) on the 18:00 train. The train ride from Olly to MP is only 1.5 hrs vs 2.5 hrs from TDI to MP.
MP is extremely crowded in the morning and we decided to avoid that time completely. As a matter of fact, when we disembarked from the bus at MP around 13:00, there was a line up of several hundred people waiting to board buses to go back down to Aguas Calientes. Very happy with our decision as there were much fewer tourists in the afternoon and no line up for the bus at 17:00.
If you are looking for a guide for the Sacred Valley, I can recommend someone who was excellent and well priced. He also provided our transportation to/from Cusco to Urubamba (90 soles each way for 2 people) and to/from Urubamba to Olly (40 soles each way for 2 people).
MP is extremely crowded in the morning and we decided to avoid that time completely. As a matter of fact, when we disembarked from the bus at MP around 13:00, there was a line up of several hundred people waiting to board buses to go back down to Aguas Calientes. Very happy with our decision as there were much fewer tourists in the afternoon and no line up for the bus at 17:00.
If you are looking for a guide for the Sacred Valley, I can recommend someone who was excellent and well priced. He also provided our transportation to/from Cusco to Urubamba (90 soles each way for 2 people) and to/from Urubamba to Olly (40 soles each way for 2 people).
I suspect some glitch re the train availability site you're visiting (Inca Rail???), as I would think that five months in advance there would be tickets. If the Tambo del Sur-affiliated travel agent is telling you there are no train tickets available, I'd chalk that up more to their level of competence (which seemed to me adequate for our purposes, but not impressive), and would suggest looking to some other source such as DUP Tours. I can't recall the details of how we set up our trip, but do recall that some aspects were a bit complicated. So hang in there.
Having said that, it could be that leaving from Olly or returning to it can help you maximize your time at MP in view of the train schedules, though that does present the hassle of adding an extra step to your day trip.
I'd also suggest booking your MP admission tickets in advance, as well as the bus tickets that get you up and back to MP itself from the Aguas Calientes (the town at the base of the mountain where MP is) train station. Again, my recall is a bit sketchy, but it seemed that this was advisable in terms of insuring access and saving steps once you get there.
Anyway, Tambo is fantastic and MP is unique. Have a great time!
Dec 4, 2014, 2:24 pm
#387
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 13
The return leg to Urubamba has magically started to appear in Peru Rail's system, but I'm still thinking I want to head to Olly anyways and take the later (and cheaper) Expedition train. This scheduling stuff is hard work!
While based at the hotel, are there any day hikes that we can embark on right from the property?
While based at the hotel, are there any day hikes that we can embark on right from the property?
Dec 4, 2014, 3:08 pm
#388
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: SPG Plat 100, A3*G
Posts: 678
The return leg to Urubamba has magically started to appear in Peru Rail's system, but I'm still thinking I want to head to Olly anyways and take the later (and cheaper) Expedition train. This scheduling stuff is hard work!
While based at the hotel, are there any day hikes that we can embark on right from the property?
While based at the hotel, are there any day hikes that we can embark on right from the property?
Dec 4, 2014, 5:23 pm
#389
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YSC (and all its regularly scheduled flights)
Posts: 2,521
Have a great trip!
Dr. PITUK
Dec 5, 2014, 7:55 pm
#390
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,426
There are a few places you can go with a short taxi ride, but for a hike you can turn right out of the hotel. Walk a few hundred metres to the petrol station (where the taxis, etc. are). Turn left and keep walking as far as you want to go! Note that I was there a few years ago now and my memory might be fuzzy so ask at the desk to make sure - that's how I got the details.
Have a great trip!
Dr. PITUK
Have a great trip!
Dr. PITUK