La Preparacion

Trip Start May 11, 2006
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Trip End May 21, 2006


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Flag of United States  , Florida,
Wednesday, May 10, 2006

As usual we have done lots of research in respect to airfares. Because we have multiple segments, the regular sites are finding a quote problematic. We finally get down to Lan Peru and TACA, who both offer flights between Lima and Cusco, as the best bets. TACA offers the lowest fare at US$ 672.00 with tax, and this is the final flight we select. When we book it in February, there is one change of planes between Miami and Lima at San Jose, Costa Rica. By the time we fly, another stop has been added in Bogotá. Result is a dreadful ten-hour flight, which normally takes five hours non-stop. C'est la Vie. Once paid, we can't opt out. The flight from Miami to San Jose is 2:40 mins. From San Jose to Bogotá is 2:10 mins and Bogotá to Lima is 2:55. That's 7 hours and 45 minutes in the air and 2 hours and 45 minutes on the ground. Ugh!

For ground services I start looking online for budget accommodations, but Cecilia suggests we contact a friend of a friend, who runs an online travel agency, TURINETPERU.COM. We send in our itinerary and estimated costs to the manager, Yuri Santamaría Vargas, and eventually receive back an itinerary, list of suggested hotels and a price we just can't refuse. US$ 205.00 per person in triple (US$ 220.00 in double) for 10 nights accommodation with breakfast and two days transportation in Cusco by tourist van. We take the plunge and confirm the services. Yuri also offers to purchase our train tickets to Machu Picchu, a pricey US$ 68.00 each on the "backpacker special". The "vista dome" is US$ 110.00 and the "Hiram Bingham" all inclusive tour is almost US$ 500.00 each. More about the trains later.

So now we are at US$ 945.00. We still have to pay for meals, admissions and local tours if we decide to take any. Food is inexpensive in Peru, so we feel we can probably do the whole trip for well under US$ 1,500.00 each.
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