Travelling couple Doug and Ann-Marie are currently venturing through parts of Peru, Bolivia and Chile for two months. They’ve granted GoTravelDaily access to their spending diary, including the costs of six days spent acclimatising in Cuzco and the Sacred Valley before embarking on the Lares Trek, ending in Machu Picchu.
The total cost added up for each day is for two people.
Pre-trip spending
Total: 249 soles ($75.35)
Transport: The overnight bus (Cruz del Sur) from Arequipa to Cuzco cost S/.154. You could spend more and do the VIP option, but we found the standard seating to be more than comfortable.
Accommodation: Our main hostel, Hostel Cuzco International was in the San Blas district (S/.85 per night for a double room including private bathroom and breakfast) and was a short taxi ride from the bus terminal (S/.10).
Total: S/.249 ($75.35)
On the ground
Day one
Total: S/.190.5 ($57.40)
After checking in and dropping off our bags, we enjoyed breakfast at LʼAtelier Café, just a few steps from the hostel, boasting a balcony seat with a great view down Calle Carmen Alto. We had two different European style breakfasts, one with granola, toast and coffee and the other with Peruvian avocado on toast, coffee and a juice (S/.42).
We wandered down the street and popped into one of the many craft shops selling all kinds of llama and alpaca-themed goods, then escaped into Jacks for a hot chocolate and juice (S/.9.50).
Afterwards, we braved Plaza de Armas and its bustling environment. Strolling through San Pedro market, we encountered traditional flutes and whistles. I wanted to find one made in Peru, which was a challenge. Eventually, I came across some music stores outside of the market and I picked up a flute (S/.20) – but I still can’t play it!
Stopping for a simple lunch – an omelette, a chicken sandwich and two juices for S/.40 – we headed back to the hostel for a rest.
As we had already been travelling on a budget for a few weeks, we decided to try some upmarket Peruvian cuisine for dinner and went to a restaurant called Morena Peruvian Kitchen. The food served was presented beautifully and tasted equally amazing! Ann-Marie had Andean roasted trout sitting on a bed of quinoa and native potato. I had seafood and rice and washed it down with Cusqueña beer (S/.119).
Day Two
Total: S/.129 ($39.04)
We had breakfast in the hotel (included in the price) and then spent the morning sorting travel documentation. After much ado, we stopped for empanadas and soothing tea in a cafe called Valeriana (S/.31).
Getting back into tourist mode, we ventured to Qorikancha / Santa Domingo (S/.10 per person), which is regarded as the most sacred temple in the Incan empire. The church and convent of Santa Domingo sits atop its remains.
Wanting to take on one of the hikes that ends at Machu Picchu, we arranged the 4-day/3-night Lares Trek with Sam Travel Peru, for a total of (S/.4267 for two people).
For dinner, we decided to try one of the many vegetarian options in Cuzco and headed to Green Point Vegan Restaurant, where we had a korma and pad thai for mains (S/.88).
Day Three
Total: S/.568 ($171.81)
After getting some tips from the local tourism office, we headed to the Sacred Valley. Since we couldn’t find the cheaper combi van option, we used a taxi to reach Maras (S/.30), then hired a waiting taxi driver to take us around Maras, Moray, and the Salt Mines for a total of S/.70.
To enter Moray, we purchased the ‘Boleto Turístico del Cuzco’ (S/.260), which gives access to numerous sites. To enter the Salt Mines was another S/.10 per person.
Afterwards, we caught a passing combi van to Urubamba (45 min journey, S/.6 per person). We checked into Bull House hostel for an off-peak rate of S/.40 per night for a private room with ensuite and ventured into the town.
Dinner that night was at Restaurant El Huacatay, where we enjoyed gnocchi and grilled trout with a mint lemonade and a juice (S/.90).
Day Four
Total: S/.149 ($45.09)
As breakfast was not included at Bull House, we returned to the market for food, filling up on smoothies (S/.15 each) and also used the bathrooms (S/.1).
Since the sun was out, we backtracked to Chinchero via combi van (S/.6 each). This town is famous for its textiles and for hosting an Incan archaeological site. Entry to the site was covered by our Boleto Turistico ticket.
We found a local eatery for a menu de dia – a set dish made up of a starter, main, and drink – for S/.6 each.
After a busy day, we headed back to our hostel, where we enjoyed dinner at Peru Buen Gusto. Ann-Marie had the typical Peruvian dish of lomo saltado while I opted for grilled trout on rice and beans, with a shared chicha morada (S/.43).
Day Five
Total: S/.133.5 ($40.40)
As I was unwell, Ann-Marie had a solo adventure to purchase some pharmacy supplies for me (S/.1) and then enjoyed breakfast at Pastelería Antojitos for coffee, juice, eggs, cheese, bread, butter, and jam (S/.9.5).
We later headed to Urubamba Market to gather fresh ingredients, making a smoothie with spinach, limes, ginger, chirimoya, and bananas (S/.8).
After enjoying our homemade smoothies, we caught a combi van to Ollantayambo (S/.4). Although we arrived near closing time, it was still bustling with visitors exploring the ancient stairways.
Day Six
Total: S./245.5 ($74.29)
We stocked up on breakfast supplies including mango and grenadina at the market before setting out to find a nearby waterfall, purchasing dried flower sweets and other essentials.
On our way back to Cuzco, we stopped for vegetable omelettes and coffee in Pisac (S./33). Finally, we returned to Cuzco just in time for our Lares Trek induction.
The final tally
S./249 + S./1415.5 = S./1664.5 / $501.88 (excluding the Lares trek which was an additional S./4,267 / $1286.60).
