On March 9 2009 I bought my RT tix in LAN LIM-CUS-LIM for August 23-29 2009 for two adults ($164.22 ea.) and one child ($129.71). I accomplished this via phone.
I live in VA, USA, but was born/raised in Peru. Went to LAN's USA website and kept getting the ~$400 RT per person price. Decided to look at the Peru page (when it asks you to click on your country of residence) and got fares at about 1/3 the price! I tried using my US-issued credit card, but it doesn't work on the Peru site.
If you live in the US, and don't have an international calling plan on your phone, go to your nearest Latin store/market/restaurant and buy a $2 "Gol" or "Boss" calling card (or any other that serves South America); then call from the US 0115-11-213-8200. Even better if you can get a Spanish speaking person to do this for you. I said I was calling from outside Peru and still got fares very close to what I saw on the site ($458 total by phone vs. $422 on the site for all three tix). I paid with a US-issued credit card. You will need:
- Names and passport numbers of all travelers. Mine are all US and the agent didn't flinch.
- If a child is traveling, depending on the age, you may get a lower fare for the child.
- A VISA, Master Card, or American Express credit card.
- Name and "fixed" (land line) phone number of a contact person in Lima/Peru. You may still be able to get the tickets even if you don't have this info.
I spent about one hour on the phone but I finally got this taken care of!
Other tips:
- If you'll tour the City of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley you'll need a "Boleto Turistico" (Tourist Ticket) ~$42 and a separate ticket to enter Qoricancha ~$12. Most tours don't include these costs in their fee, so ask before buying a package.
- I've seen City Tour quotes of about $12 and the tour takes about 5-6 hours. No meals, plan to tip your guide (at your hotel, ask about how much is right).
- The Sacred Valley tours start at $14 for a full-day excursion (9am-6pm). No meals included, but some offer them for about $10 pp. Again, plan to tip your guide.
- I bought tix in the Backpacker train from CUS-Machu Picchu: $48 ea. adult on 08/25/09. Returning Machu Picchu-Ollantaytambo (was sold out to Cuzco): $31 ea. adult on 08/26/09. Child tix are 1/2 price. The website doesn't allow for departures/returns to different cities, so call them (0115-11-84-581414) to get your reservations; you'll get a confirmation e-mail. Then pay and p/u your tix ASAP when you get to Cuzco, at the Wanchaq office. ALSO: I got an e-mail from PeruRail saying that the Backpacker train will no longer depart from Cuzco as of 04/01/09; they've moved the service to the nearby town of Poroy (20 mins. by car).
- Bus from Aguas Calientes (town where the train arrives, located at the foot of the mountain below MP): $14 RT pp.
- MP entrance tix are $40 pp/per day.
Hope this helps! Best wishes.
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