Chanchamayo seems to be easier destination to visit without knowing Spanish and doesn't require as much advance research as Tingo Maria. Based on my experience, Transportes Junin seem to be quite OK bus company to La Merced.

Anyway, I was a couple of years ago in Tingo Maria and most tourists in Tingo seem to be day trippers staying overnight in Huanuco. This might be outdated but I would research in advance whether there are companies in Tingo selling tours.

OP, looks like Chanchamayo is a better choice then, Villivac and Miikak are quite knowledgeable.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. The friend I'm going with really wants to visit Machu Picchu so we've changed our draft itinerary to fit this in. I enquired with several hotels in Tingo Maria but didn't get much response and I fear our lack of Spanish would pose a real problem there.

Wed: Arrive early, sleep a bit, go out in the afternoon/evening
Thurs: Fly to Cuzco in the morning, go out in afternoon/evening whilst acclimatising to high altitude
Fri: Bus/shared taxi from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo, explore town in evening and stay overnight
Sat: Train to Machu Picchu in the morning, stay in Aguas Calientes overnight
Sun: Train back to Cuzco, stay one more night
Mon: Fly back to Lima in morning, sightseeing in afternoon
Tues: All day in Lima
Wed: Fly back to Madrid

The South American Explorers Club has a lot of good resources that can help you plan your trip.

Their web site is: http://www.saexplorers.org

Tingo Maria is a small town, no huge touristic infrastucture, not surprised they didn't answer you.

Your itinerary sounds good for a week trip. If possible try to combine the Fri day with Pisac or Chinchero, arriving to Ollantaytambo at afternoon, you have plenty of time in one day.

Noted, and thank you once again

Do you really want to stay a night in Aguas Calientes? There is nothing to do there and you have plenty of time visiting MP during the day. If you take an early train from Ollanta and back the same evening (after 17:00h), you won't miss anything in MP and have half an additional day to visit the sacred valley before going back to Cuzco. I'd stay 2 nights in Ollanta, that way you avoid to take your luggage onto the train.

Good point - we thought of staying in Aguas Calientes due to the natural hot springs, but after seeing disappointing online reviews we'll give it a miss I think.

I will be in Lima March 27 - Apr 4th as well on a RTW ticket before flying to Easter Island. If interested we could meet up and do the sightseeing together... the more the merrier. I think you should incorporate a trip to CUZ and visit Machu Picchu as well. I am looking into the details now.

That's too bad we fly overnight on the 3rd, arriving on the 4th. Thanks for the suggestion anyway!

TACA has ~$90 rt for early April LIM-CUZ-LIM with a 24hr stopover in Arequipa. That's a great deal for a route that usually prices out around $300 for non-stops.

Also, if you can find availability on LAN and have Avios that's a great use of them since it's a short but pricey route!

We got return flights in business class, LIM-CUZ // CUZ-AQP-LIM for $210 each. Very good value and the 3,000 *A miles with LH M&M will take me to silver status once again