Pre cruise Machu Picchu tour on a Valparaiso to Ft. Lauderdale cruise question.

[geospyder]

Has anyone done the Celebrity pre cruise Machu Picchu tour on a Valparaiso to Ft. Lauderdale cruise? It seems quite expensive but on the other hand it seems to be all inclusive. You fly into Lima and everything seems to be taken care of from the time you arrive at the airport in Lima to the actual transfer to the ship in Valparaiso five days later.

 

The big question is - is there any sort of private tour that would do the same thing? Or - would you have to make all the transportation arrangements yourself?

 

Any insights from anyone that has done either the Celebrity tour or a private tour would be welcome.

[4774Papa]

There was a Machu Picchu extended excursion trip as an option on our FLL to Valpo Repo cruise in December. It cost over 3 grand. Way too expensive, plus, you missed part of the regular cruise.

 

The Lima travel agency that I booked our Lima tour with has a great Machu Picchu trip that originates from the USA and it costs less than the X tour.

[YOW]

We went to Cuzco & Machu Picchu after a cruise that ended in Valparaiso, doing all the arrangements on our own. It was far less than what the cruise line quote, and pretty straightforward to arrange. We were lucky in finding an inexpensive air ticket to Buenos Aires, continuing Santiago-Lima, and then back home. Domestic flights Lima-Cuzco and return are easily bookable online; so are the hotels both in Cuzco and around the Sacred Valley; ditto for the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). At the time, we had to buy our MP admission tickets at a location in Cuzco... not sure how it is now. We hired a driver from our hotel in Cuzco; he took us all around the Sacred Valley, to our 'base' hotel,' then picked us up a few days later and did more sightseeing before returning to Cuzco. Guides are also available at Machu Picchu, should you wish. Definitely the highlight of our South America holiday and one of our best experiences ever.

[geospyder]

There was a Machu Picchu extended excursion trip as an option on our FLL to Valpo Repo cruise in December. It cost over 3 grand. Way too expensive, plus, you missed part of the regular cruise.

 

The Lima travel agency that I booked our Lima tour with has a great Machu Picchu trip that originates from the USA and it costs less than the X tour.

 

I saw that tour that took place during the cruise. That one is out for sure as like you said, it took away part of the cruise. The one that we are debating about is a pre cruise tour for five days. At this point it is $2900 pp.

 

Here is the description:

 

Upon your arrival in Lima, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will meet your tour director. The remainder of the day is free for sightseeing, shopping and dining before turning in for a relaxing evening. Overnight in Lima.

 

Alter fueling up with breakfast you will take off on a flight to Cuzco followed by a motorcoach journey to Urubamba, just one step closer to Machu Picchu. As your motorcoach departs from Cuzco you will visit the impressive Inca fortresses of Sacsayhuaman, and enjoy panoramic views of the city of Cuzco. You will continue on to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas" and have the opportunity to bargain with vendors at the market in Pisac. Continuing on enroute you'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon, you´ll visit Ollantaytambo, a famed Inca archaeological sight. Before turning in for the evening you'll have some free time to explore the quaint streets of the nearby country town. Overnight in Urubamba. Breakfast and lunch included.

 

The day begins with an early morning breakfast before you transfer to the train station and board the Vistadome for your travels to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival into Aguas Calientes, you will be taken to "The Lost City of the Incas", discovered by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. From here you will have a guided tour of the marvelous citadel, a truly awe-inspiring experience. An inclusive lunch will be served at the Sanctuary Lodge. Free time is available for you stroll around the archaeological site before traveling to the Ollanta train station for your return trip to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, you will be transferred to your hotel to relax and reflect on the day's adventures. Overnight in Cuzco. Breakfast and lunch included.

 

Your day begins in Cuzco with breakfast in your hotel followed by a city tour starting at the impressive colonial cathedral which contains over 400 paintings of the colonial art influence from the Cusqueña School as well as a number of ancient altars. Continue on to visit the Temple of the Sun, the main religious centre of the Incas and dedicated to the Sun Cult. Upon conclusion of the city tour you will travel to the airport for your flight to Lima. After lunch on your own you will have the remainder of the afternoon and evening free for sightseeing, shopping and dining. Be sure to consult your tour director for local suggestions. Overnight in Lima. Breakfast included.

 

Following breakfast in your hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival in Santiago travel to you hotel for check-in and the remainder of the afternoon is free for sightseeing and shopping before stepping out with your tour director to a local restaurant for a farewell group dinner. Overnight in Santiago. Breakfast and dinner included.

 

Your final morning enjoy breakfast in your hotel before traveling by motorcoach to the pier in Valparaiso and embark upon your South American cruise journey aboard the Infinity.

[bubbachief]

Bear in mind Cuzco is over 11000 feet and the whirwind tours of 2 or 3 days may not give you enought time to get use to the altitude.

 

There is a lot to see in and around Cuzco, you could spend at least three days there. I would spend two days at Machu Picchu/Aquas Calientes, take the train up one day and return the next. We arranged everything ourself after getting off the cruise in Valparaiso and it was very easy and a lot less expensive.

[4774Papa]

Doesn't South America have a kind of air pass that you pay a flat fee and can fly anywhere in South America?

[MonDreamr1]

For private tours ask on the Xpedition Galapagos monster thread (recently back part two). It is an add on for the Galapagos trip, but a lot of people book their own for a lot less money.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1504555&page=31

[Bobocasey]

We did MP independently since X prices were so outragous. I agree it can be done. We used a travel agency in the US that booked the entire tour for us in 2010 for around 1,700 pp. We spent 7 days in Peru. Going that quickly through X can cause you to get sick from the altitude. (Only one of the four of us got it but she had just recovered from a chemo treatment.)

[Jade13]

Doesn't South America have a kind of air pass that you pay a flat fee and can fly anywhere in South America?

 

Your international travel has to be on LAN or a partner. It is a LAN South America pass.