Peru In Your Plans?

[travel2fun]

mountie & j-s-2...we just returned from Peru. Stopped by the Rio Sagrado in Urubamba on the way to the Aranwa Hotel & Spa. Obviously, Orient-Express has great plans and a lot of work ahead to get this property up to their standards.....right now, it is pretty basic (which probably explains why the price is so reasonable). The Urubamba Valley has made a lot of progress in recovering from the terrible floods experienced early this year and it looks like almost everything is back to normal (still evidence of destruction of many of the older adobe homes built close to the river).

-O-, what does evidence mean in plain English?

[omegaet]

-O-, what does evidence mean in plain English?

t-2-f.....evidence we saw consisted of extensive reconstruction of adobe homes along both river banks. On the drive from Cusco, we took the route through Chinchero, which gave us a steep decent into the Sacred Valley....allowing us an excellent vista of Urubamba....although we did not travel too far toward Ollantaytambo to the northwest, since we were there last trip.

We did see a number of families still living in the large black tents provided by the Peruvian government, which were brought in immediately following the floods to provide temporary housing. The residents did not wish to leave their farm lands and continue the process of rebuilding their homes and constructing buffer walls along the river to hopefully avoid future flooding.

For the most part, it appears a remarkable recovery in the valley, considering the extensive damage caused by the flooding last year.

[omegaet]

j-s-2, are you in Peru?

mountie....if you are seriously thinking about visiting Peru, then check out the following link:

http://www.aranwahotels.com/cusco.php

Aranwa Hotels just opened their new property in Cusco. I have a feeling Luxury Link will be offering a package in the near future and you might like it. I was inside the hotel during the final stages of construction just a few weeks ago and it will be one of the great spots to stay in Cusco.

Keep your eyes open for an upcoming auction package here!

Also, if you do stay in Lima, you might want to experience a ride or two on a Combi.

We have used the system several times, but have always been with a local in the past who was able to offer us assistance with the best rutas.

Now that his map is available (for free if you want the smaller and lower resolution version), a ride would be a low cost alternative for transportation in the congested city...although taxi rides are reasonable, as long as you agree on the prices before entering and closing the door:

http://www.rutasrecomendables.com/blog/

[Mountie]

mountie....if you are seriously thinking about visiting Peru, then check out the following link:

http://www.aranwahotels.com/cusco.php

Aranwa Hotels just opened their new property in Cusco. I have a feeling Luxury Link will be offering a package in the near future and you might like it. I was inside the hotel during the final stages of construction just a few weeks ago and it will be one of the great spots to stay in Cusco.

Keep your eyes open for an upcoming auction package here!

Also, if you do stay in Lima, you might want to experience a ride or two on a Combi.

We have used the system several times, but have always been with a local in the past who was able to offer us assistance with the best rutas.

Now that his map is available (for free if you want the smaller and lower resolution version), a ride would be a low cost alternative for transportation in the congested city...although taxi rides are reasonable, as long as you agree on the prices before entering and closing the door:

http://www.rutasrecomendables.com/blog/

If I ever manage to get to Lima, Peru, I might look into using this guide and riding in a Combi. I would certainly use the tips on drinking Pisco!

[bonniejoy03]

Don't drink Pisco Sours after jet lag! One was fine for me but the second one knocked me down!!!

[betsyv]

Last time I looked, Delta Airlines was running a good deal on business class r/t airfare to Lima. From Fort Myers, Fl it was $900 per person which is unbelievable. The funny thing was I then tried it from Atlanta (which the flight goes RSW-ATL-Peru) and it jumped to $3000. Anyway, if you are thinking about it you may want to check into it and see if the special is still there. I was looking at March 2011.

[Mountie]

If I ever manage to get to Lima, Peru, I might look into using this guide and riding in a Combi. I would certainly use the tips on drinking Pisco!

Just in case your missed his blog entry

http://www.luxurylink.com/community/...hp?475-omegaet

this proves once and for all that -O- is totally out of his mind and even worse when he travels in Peru!

[omegaet]

Just noticed a couple of interesting points pop up in one of the Peruvian sites I follow:


* To purchase an eTicket to Machu Picchu ticket, the user shall visit http:/boletaje virtual.drc-cusco.gob.pe, book a ticket which registers a code, go to any Banco de la Nacion in the country and pay it by Multired or debit Visa card. Then, log on to the website again and print the ticket, indicated Julio Dueñas, head of the project. [Does this process seem a little complicated....guess not, if you know the location of your friendly neighborhood Banco de la Nacion?]

* Peru's private tourism sector is working hard to increase the number of foreign tourists arriving to the country to five million in 2015 and ten million in 2021, reported the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur).

Perhaps anyone planning an upcoming trip to Peru had better prepare in advance for crowds, if visiting the more popular sites, or possibly consider visiting some of the more off-the-beaten-path sites! Cusco seemed a bit crowded recently when we visited....also noticed a substantial increased number of tourist vans on the way to and back from the Sacred Valley.

At least LL is offering some interesting packages in the Colca Canyon and around Puno on Lake Titicaca. Two really great hotels have recently opened in Paracas (for you desert rats) and the Starwood Luxury Collection was not crowded when we stayed there!

Shop early and travel soon, explorers!

[Mountie]

Just noticed a couple of interesting points pop up in one of the Peruvian sites I follow:


* To purchase an eTicket to Machu Picchu ticket, the user shall visit http:/boletaje virtual.drc-cusco.gob.pe, book a ticket which registers a code, go to any Banco de la Nacion in the country and pay it by Multired or debit Visa card. Then, log on to the website again and print the ticket, indicated Julio Dueñas, head of the project. [Does this process seem a little complicated....guess not, if you know the location of your friendly neighborhood Banco de la Nacion?]

* Peru's private tourism sector is working hard to increase the number of foreign tourists arriving to the country to five million in 2015 and ten million in 2021, reported the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur).

Perhaps anyone planning an upcoming trip to Peru had better prepare in advance for crowds, if visiting the more popular sites, or possibly consider visiting some of the more off-the-beaten-path sites! Cusco seemed a bit crowded recently when we visited....also noticed a substantial increased number of tourist vans on the way to and back from the Sacred Valley.

At least LL is offering some interesting packages in the Colca Canyon and around Puno on Lake Titicaca. Two really great hotels have recently opened in Paracas (for you desert rats) and the Starwood Luxury Collection was not crowded when we stayed there!

Shop early and travel soon, explorers!

To BUY ot not TO BUY?

[Mountie]

I am hoping I can update with Lima information AFTER I actually get there.
Guess I need to update my blog with this "mis"adventure.

kyshel & omegaet, what about that O-E Miraflores package?

Good deal?

How is the spa?

I noticed the new package does include spa treatments but not include dinner at their restaurant.

I am thinking I might spend a couple of nights in Lima, considering my possible flights into and out of the country.