Another Peru Question

[Bobo912]

I've been researching Peru trips and I've found several trips by reputable companies that are 2-3 days longer and include more locations, such as Ica and/or Lake Titicaca. The activities and accomodations during the Lima/Cusco/Machu Picchu portion of the trips are almost identical to ABD. I was wondering if any of you spent any extra time in Peru on your own to visit these locations. Also, kind of curious why ABD didn't include either Ica or Lake Titicaca. The additional destinations look very interesting, but I have concerns. In Ica the tours include a flyover of the Nazca Lines, which seems like a really cool thing to do, but I'm wondering about the safety regulations for small planes in Peru. And the elevation at Lake Titicac is so high, maybe we would be miserable. Maybe ABD had the same concerns. On one hand, if I travel that far, I want to see as much as possible. On the other, I want to be safe and comfortable. After 9 days, I may be ready to come back to a more oxygen rich elevation. And if DS doesn't handle the elevation well, I know I'll be ready to come home! Did any of you visit any of these locations on your own or have taken a tour that included these locations? Or did you consider it and decide against it? I'm leaning toward ABD because I trust them, but I'll have to see what dates they offer and how much they raise the prices for 2013.

 

[sjlsk8r]

We did not take any extra days in Peru after the trip - though we wish we had. However, another family n our trip made arrangements to see Lake Titicaca and the Nasca lines on there own afterwards. I believe that the stayed three extra days and did to at the lake (it was another flight) and a day trip for the Nasca lines.

 

[tufbuf]

You would need an extra day each to visit the Nazca lines and Lake Titicaca. It's quite a distance from Lima. Lake Titicaca is 18000 ft above sea level which I think would be a challenge for sea level dwellers. It is also near the Bolivian border already. Another family in our group did the Nazca lines. It was a little rough getting there but they said it was well worth it.

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks for the replies. I definitely wouldn't try to do either as a side trip on my own. I'm not that brave. But I am considering tours by other companies where it's already included.