5 day itinerary - which option?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 177
5 day itinerary - which option?
Having trouble choosing between the two options: We have a group of 6 might be slightly bigger. Some of us are big hikers (done hiking in Colorado but not at this altitude in Cuzco) and others not so much (flat Chicago)
Option 1 - Inca trail tour
Day 1: Arrival in Cuzco at 8:30am - tour Chinchero, Moray, Maras salineras. Overnight in Ollantaytambo
Day2: 2 day Inca trail tour - overnight in AC
Day3: MP + Montana Mountain --- overnight in Cuzco
Day 4: Pisac ,Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain or Cuzco city tour
Day 6: Fly out from Cuzco to Cancun
Option 2:
Day 1: Arrival to Cuzco at 8:30am - tour Chinchero, Moray or/and Maras salineras, take train Ollantaytambo in to AC (last Peru rail train at 21:50) overnight in AC (those lodging reviews are bit scary)
Day2: MP + Montana Mountain --- take 15:20 or 16:20 train back to Ollantaytambo and visit town/granaries/ruins. Overnight in Ollantaytambo
Day3: Hike as much as of the https://www.packing-up-the-pieces.co...ollantaytambo/ as possible, overnight in Ollantaytambo (or should we overnight in Cuzco?) Might need a guide/plan some horse situation with a tour
Day 4: Pisac ,Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman (either on the way back from Ollantaytambo or from Cuzco)
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain or Cuzco city tour
Day 6: Fly out from Cuzco to Cancun
Option 2 would require more logistic planning (getting MP permits, buying train/bus tickets and arranging transportation and lodging). It's cheaper as well since the Inca trail permit seems most of the cost in option 1. Also not sure what to do with luggage (but at most we have is a small carry roll suitcase) For Day 3 it can be flexible for those wanting a shorter hike too (assuming there's other stuff they can choose to do or half our group goes to Cuzco early).
Option 1 has the nice advantage of being on a tour group and not having to worry about logistics but there is a concern/small chance some of our group won't finish the 6 hour hike in a timely manner on the Inca trail.
Obviously there is always the chance of altitude sickness so we plan on taking Diamox beforehand because the trip is so short. Still no guarantee but I think both paths minimize the gradual ascent to Cuzco.
The group wants to do at least one decent hike so i'm not sure what other options there are if it seems a little hectic. Marriott is also asking for some ridiculous 80k point nights (well maybe that's the new points value but getting a bit a sticker shock there) so any other suggestions?
Option 1 - Inca trail tour
Day 1: Arrival in Cuzco at 8:30am - tour Chinchero, Moray, Maras salineras. Overnight in Ollantaytambo
Day2: 2 day Inca trail tour - overnight in AC
Day3: MP + Montana Mountain --- overnight in Cuzco
Day 4: Pisac ,Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain or Cuzco city tour
Day 6: Fly out from Cuzco to Cancun
Option 2:
Day 1: Arrival to Cuzco at 8:30am - tour Chinchero, Moray or/and Maras salineras, take train Ollantaytambo in to AC (last Peru rail train at 21:50) overnight in AC (those lodging reviews are bit scary)
Day2: MP + Montana Mountain --- take 15:20 or 16:20 train back to Ollantaytambo and visit town/granaries/ruins. Overnight in Ollantaytambo
Day3: Hike as much as of the https://www.packing-up-the-pieces.co...ollantaytambo/ as possible, overnight in Ollantaytambo (or should we overnight in Cuzco?) Might need a guide/plan some horse situation with a tour
Day 4: Pisac ,Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman (either on the way back from Ollantaytambo or from Cuzco)
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain or Cuzco city tour
Day 6: Fly out from Cuzco to Cancun
Option 2 would require more logistic planning (getting MP permits, buying train/bus tickets and arranging transportation and lodging). It's cheaper as well since the Inca trail permit seems most of the cost in option 1. Also not sure what to do with luggage (but at most we have is a small carry roll suitcase) For Day 3 it can be flexible for those wanting a shorter hike too (assuming there's other stuff they can choose to do or half our group goes to Cuzco early).
Option 1 has the nice advantage of being on a tour group and not having to worry about logistics but there is a concern/small chance some of our group won't finish the 6 hour hike in a timely manner on the Inca trail.
Obviously there is always the chance of altitude sickness so we plan on taking Diamox beforehand because the trip is so short. Still no guarantee but I think both paths minimize the gradual ascent to Cuzco.
The group wants to do at least one decent hike so i'm not sure what other options there are if it seems a little hectic. Marriott is also asking for some ridiculous 80k point nights (well maybe that's the new points value but getting a bit a sticker shock there) so any other suggestions?