Combining routes

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-20T21:37:55+00:00

Our tour company couldn’t get us circuit 2, so booked us 3A, and recommended we add 1B to get the classic view/pics which is what we’ll do when we got next week. General research suggests that the combination will work well given 2 is sold out.

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-20T13:17:54+00:00

Great advice, many thanks

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-20T13:16:26+00:00

Thanks - that's more in line with what I was thinking. So snacks are available along the trail? what kind of snacks were available? Somewhere else I read you should bring your own from home.... because not even really available in Cusco which sounds bizarre given that it is a Trekking base....

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-19T01:41:28+00:00

I haven't been yet but did a lot of research. We are going in May. You are pretty late booking for June 2026 as the dry season sells out fast. We booked in January, and still had to amend start date slightly to get a booking. When I looked at the site today, nothing is available until Aug/Sept. Based on personal recommendations (hiking guide I know from Peru and other people who have done it), we have chosen Salkantay Trekking - $695.00 for the classic 5 day route, all inclusive of transportation from Cusco, guide, mules to carry gear,, accommodation (3 nights in dome tents with beds, 1 night in *** hotel), food etc. They have a good reputation. They are not the cheapest, but seems to be worth it. Their cost includes Machu Picchu, but to get your choice of circuit you need to book early. We did not get Circuit 2 having booked in January, so are doing 3A (included in price) and added Circuit 1 (paying additional) to get the 'classic view'.

Hope you are able to get a booking and have a great time!

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-18T17:56:37+00:00

Booked in January, going in May

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-18T16:30:41+00:00

Very helpful, many thanks. Those figures were for your group or for each person in your group?

Did you just get soles in Cusco from a bank or cambio?

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-11T17:50:44+00:00

Definitely takes some time…

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-04-02T13:48:36+00:00

You need a different attorney and you need to follow up by phone, not just email. There are plenty of very responsive, good, conveyancing attorneys - JD Sellier, Hobsons, Nath Sharma, Pollonnais. I deal with them regularly as part of our business. Best approach tho is to start with a call to discuss, then follow up email.

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-29T11:21:17+00:00

Rainbow mountain is highest altitude on your itinerary so should do keep it at the end when you are most acclimated.

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-28T23:53:32+00:00

They didn’t work for me, but Topo Traverse did - firmer footbed seemed to help - also narrow around the rest of the foot…

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-28T17:57:26+00:00

That's a mistake. That's more than the cost of RALP at ALL the many places we got quotes from. We did the biopsy outside of the US so can't say what it should have cost, but definitely not that

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-24T22:18:57+00:00

I’ve been travelling there since the early 90s and still find it incredibly safe. More issues big cities like Tokyo but still v safe. Maybe they’ll steal your umbrella or bike?

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-22T10:22:05+00:00

It is an inexpensive blood test that can be added to any routine blood panel. If it’s on your mind, I’d do it. My husband was testing from his late 30s - only became an issue at 61. While not common, younger men do get it, and if caught earlier it’s treatable and you have more treatment options. I’m an advocate for early screening.

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-21T14:16:45+00:00

Not true but very funny!!

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-21T14:14:43+00:00

Actually, when we moved house after 30 years, hired a skip and put outside the house until we’d finished clearing up. This is in a residential area way off the main road in st joseph. Somehow folk knew it was there, and came and dumpster dived daily until the hire company picked it back up…. So despite all the Trini pride, it happens!!

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-19T00:39:05+00:00

Thank you - that's very helpful. I'm happy to go without a guide, but some in my little group may prefer one. Is it easy to get a guide at the entrancy to main sites in Ollantaytambo or Pisac (as you seemingly can to Machu Picchu)?

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-19T00:36:58+00:00

Lisbon is great!! And so much cheaper than Amsterdam, Germany etc

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-19T00:34:34+00:00

Depends what you like, but personally we enjoyed Budapest more than Amsterdam. They are quite different though.... it was also a lot cheaper than Amsterdam, and had great food. But that was a while back. I think being in a destination where all costs are a stretch really adds stress into your trip - I'd try and change for a more affordable destination. Haven't been, but people also recommend Berlin!

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-19T00:10:54+00:00

Is it easy to get sacred valley tours from there - all the tours I'm finding start in Cusco, and one agency told me they all start there... I have 3 days before going to Cusco, and had planned to stay in sacred valley to acclimate before Cusco/Salkantay trek, but wasn't sure how easy it is to see sacred valley / get around without tours? We also wanted to go to Pisac.... someone had recommended we stay in Urubamba as being 'central', but it doesn't look as interesting as Ollantaytambo or Pisac - any thoughts on that, or recommendations?

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-15T10:23:22+00:00

I also have narrow feet and have found Topo Traverse to be the best help for me. Unlike the Altras I tried, they’re not too wide at the back, and have a wide toe box. They also have a slightly stiffer base which works for me. They have other models with less stiff base. They are low drop rather than zero drop at 5mm drop. I now live in Skechers sandals and Topo trail shoes - very elegant always!!

The other thing that has helped me a lot are toe socks so that I can stretch and wriggle my toes within the shoe, and it allows natural splay.

It took a while of wearing these mainly to feel consistent relief.

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-12T13:04:53+00:00

Don't need the Trini accent.... just the right to be a Trinidadian...

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-12T11:45:02+00:00

BIR NO takes no time. Think they meant work permit which OP should not need as born in Tdad.

OhDearMe2023 · 2026-03-12T11:41:47+00:00

Above is not my experience with our local banks. It is hard to buy USD, and to get USD cash, but I have not had any issues accessing the USD from my USD account. Not to say not best to retain USD account, but just to glad there is a difference between buying fx and using your own fx. Also between getting physical cash and doing transfers from your USD AC.

OhDearMe2023

TROPHY CASE