Trying to decide what we might want to do pre and post cruise. Anbody who has done Iguazu Falls pre-cruise and the 4 day Machu Picchu post-cruise have any recommendations?

Doug, I'm so happy you posted this.......I'm looking at some of the ship excursions and both of these are offered. We're wondering about the same two as you. I hear Lima (if we don't go to Machu Picchu) is not very nice or safe and good only if you're into museums (which we are not).

If you go to Cruisecritic under South America, I posted a question about Iquazu Falls and had lots of responses. Beware, cruisecritic's website is all messed up and it sometimes takes forever to open!

We are leaving Saturday for Peru - land trip - including Lima, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon, Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu so I can answer questions when we get back.

We have been to Iguazu Falls - again on a land trip - we stayed on the Brazilian side but also went over to the Argentinian side. They are really fabulous and a definite highlight.

Not sure what your logistics are if you do them as ship excursions - travel time would definitely be a factor, but pre or post would make more sense.

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Leslie

Leslie: I want to come back in my next life as you!!! Have a great time -

Joanna - someone else just said that to me the other day!

These two trips (Baltics & Peru) are really too close together, but Brad really wanted to do Peru this year and September is a better time to go than later in the year - we are hiking. I would have preferred to do the Baltics earlier in the summer, but couldn't miss meeting Ngaire, Denise & Ginny on BRAVO. I feel like we just got back from the Baltics so it's proving hard to get organized.
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Leslie

but couldn't miss meeting Ngaire, Denise & Ginny on BRAVO.

Sounds like you all clicked and had a great trip -

Marcie; The enroute tour that you would take to Iguazu Falls is a long day(12 hours). If you did the Machu Picchu 4 day tour you'd miss some ports wouldn't you? You are doing the full cruise, aren't you?

Dougburns,
We did the Mariner last year Lima to Buenos Aires and had a wonderful time.

For our precruise we booked separately with a company that specializes in South America. When we arrived in Lima, we were met by our private guide and a driver who took us to our hotel in the Miraflores area. Due to a flight delay it was 2 a.m.. We crashed, needless to say.

The package included buffet breakfasts at all hotels. The next morning, following breakfast, we walked around the surrounding area, followed by a Mojito (one of many during the trip) and an hour of relaxing. Our guide than met us with a driver and we did a city tour - comprehensive and good. It did include the Gold Museum which was fascinating.

After our second night in Lima, we were met the following morning by our guide, who with the driver took us to the airport for our morning flight to Cuzco. It is best to leave on a morning flight as delays and cancellations can happen as the day proceeds. Our guide checked us, paid our 'airport tax' and kept all of our cruise luggage in storage at his company. Upon our return to Lima, a few days later, he was there to greet us, along with our luggage, and then drove us directly to the ship. So smooth.

Important tidbit; Take and drink lots of bottled water.

Upon arrival, I as everyone else, noted the thiness of air and more labored breathing. Rather than stay in Cuzco, we were met by our guide and a driver to take us to the Sacred Valley for the first night - a significant drop in altitude from Cuzco. On our way we stopped outside of Cuzco and visited an outdoor 'culture center' for about an hour. Very interesting. Then it was on to Pizac for the outdoor market and shopping. We were then taken to a beautiful setting (reminded me of the Mexican haciendas) for a peaceful and delightful lunch, along with mojitos, in a traquil setting. After our meal we were driven to our hotel - Sol y Luna. We were there two nights and I could have easily stayed a week. Each room is a separate round building. The setting; beautiful and peaceful. I did not want to leave.

The next day, we were taken to Olyitambo and some other sites. Our first night was somewhat restless in sleep. I had weird dreams etc. Others commented about the same thing - due to altitud. We did not get sick, however some other travelers did.

Then we were driven the final morning to the train station to pick up the Vista Dome for Machu Picchu. First we didn't think we would catch the train in time with the traffic, the people, the narrow streets in the village - but we did. We were assigned seats and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

Arrival in Agua Calientes was around noon. Our light luggage was picked up by hotel representatives at the track and we continued on to our bus for the 30 minute drive to Machu Picchu. One is assigned a group and a timed entry into the ruins. They tell you where to meet. Be sure to use the limited, long lined facilities before entering the ruins. A guide then takes you through the ruins. We could leave when we wanted which we did. Our package included a late lunch along with entertainment at the only hotel there. We caught a return bus when we wanted and then walked to the hotel.

We spent one night in Machu Picchu. The next morning I returned early to the ruins. Quiet, serene and tranquil - way before the busload of tourists arrived in the afternoon. Late morning we walked around the town and enjoyed our remaining few hours prior to our 3:00 departure back to Cuzco.

Our guide met us in Cuzco that evening, got us checked in at the hotel. The next day was sightseeing. I climbed the ruins outside Cuzco with ease as I was acclimated to the altitude. We visited many places and found the day very fullfilling. I really doubt I could have done that if we had stayed in Cuzco at the beginning.

Dinner, with mojitos, that night for a peaceful sleep. Next morning we were met, taken to the airport for our flight to Lima and then on to the ship.

We absolutely loved this trip.

I will say as I was climbing around Cuzco at the end of the Peru portion, there were two couple who had just arrived from the Mariner to begin their land travel. Three of the four could not handle the tour and had to quit. I can't say enough how much I advise seeing Cuzco last.

The other thing, as we were leaving Lima on the ship, the ship's tour to Machu Picchu was delayed in their flight from Cuzco. I can't rember the exact details but I do remember they finally arrived very late - and exhausted.

I hope some of this will be beneficial as you plan. I have received such useful information from this site and I hope in turn I can share some beneficial information for others.

We loved the Mariner for the 19 days! Ooooh to be back!

Deanna

p.s. We did the Falls at the termination of the cruise. It too was well planned.

Yes Doug, we are on the for the full 62 days. All that it says in the "Grand Voyage" brochure about Machu Picchu excursion is:

There isn't anything on the RSSC website yet. If we do this we would miss Lima all together and hook back up with the Mariner in Salaverry. The link for this Hiram Bingham Orient Express is:

http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/tper_luxurytravel_lifeonboard.jsp

I wonder where we spend the 2 nights?

Ngaire is going to MP in November so we'll see what she has to say as well.

Doug - A few years ago, on a land trip in Chile & Argentina, we spent several days at Iguaza Falls and would not have missed it for the world. It is one of the most memorable places we have ever visited. We stayed on the Argentinian side (the International Hotel, I think, which looks like a typewriter, but has great views of the falls from all of its rooms). We saw the falls from the Argentinian side, the Brazilian side, from the air (helicopter), and from the water (Zodiacs which went right into the falls!! - great for memories, bad for cameras...). If you want a sense of the grandeur, get the DVD of "The Mission" - the scenes of the soldiers dragging their equipment up the cliffs and of the bad guys going over the falls were all filmed at Iguazu (guided by the guy who runs the Zodiac trips).

We cannot yet opine on MP, since we had to cancel our trip there this year due to illness; but we hope to make it next year. We will be eagerly watching for reviews of the options. In the research we did, we determined that the Hiram Bingham train was not remotely worth the extra $$, which could be better spent on staying at the expensive, but wonderfully located, hotel right at the ruins, the Sanctuary Lodge.

Cheers, Fred

Fred - I concur. The Sanctuary Lodge is a memorable stay. The ability to see the stars at night and get out early to tour the site on your own is worth a lot. The train trek is only about 2 hours out (if you leave from the sacred valley stop) and about 3 hours back (get off at the stop before cuzco to avoid nearly an hour of switchbacks that can be covered in 20 minutes by car). If you do stay at Sanctuary Lodge, it generally means you also have to book the Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco. Gary loved it and thought it well worth the $$; I thought the Liberatore was a better value.

Cheers, Anne

Anne,
Our stay was at the Liberatore in Cuzco and we thoroughly enjoyed it too. The meal at MP was at the Sanctuary Lodge. It was true at that time, if you were to stay at one, you had to stay at the Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco.

Doug,
We had two nights at Iguazu Falls. You definitely need two nights to do exactly what Fred said. Allowing time to hike both sides and to go on the zodiac trip under the Falls is thrilling. We stayed at the Sheraton on the Argentinian side with a beautiful view and balcony to sit out and enjoy the sites. Take mosquito repellent too. It was HOT!

Enjoy,
Deanna

Marcie, take the excursion to Machu Pichu. You won't miss much in Lima.

I'll second that! Not too much in Lima. Cusco, Inca Valley and MP are magnificent - we atayed at the Sanctuary - spartan, but spectacular setting - we requested a room overlooking the ruins and got one. The Monasterio in Cusco is a fascinating and first class property.

Thanks all! The lovely Miss Lynn and I are doing both the pre-cruise to Iguazu Falls and the post-cruise to Machu Picchu. Expensive, but it sounds like it's worth it. Just e-mailed Todd to try to get the name of that great restaurant in Puerto Montt and the owner's name. He used to post on CC occasionally. Sounds as if a large wardrobe will be needed for the cruise; both winter and summer clothes. Got tentative air arrangements from RSSC and it looks like AA to Dallas and then an evening overnight flight to BA, arriving in the AM next day.Miss Lynn is extracting payback for the cruise though. I get the cruise, but she gets to have interior decorating done on our house. Yikes!

Have not been to Machu Picchu - it's on the list, but I loved Iguazu - which we approaached from Rio, not Argentina. It was more impressive from the Argentine side, but it is an easy flight from Rio.