Background: Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government; his presidency has been hampered by allegations of corruption.
July 17th 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley Nicola: For most of our trip we have been seeing places in the off-season. It has meant the weather hasnt always been great but the tourist sights havent been as busy and things have generally been ch ... 6 photos[full story]
July 19th 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley After visiting Machu Picchu we got the train out of Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. There were plently of taxi touts seeking fares for taking people to Cuzco at the station gate so we knew that we w ... 19 photos[full story]
June 26th 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley So . . we survived the Inka Trail, (yippee), but first things first . . .
As we haven't been able to talk, we have a lot to catch up on.
Let's introduce you to our special group of new friend ... 6 photos[full story]
June 3rd 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley Hoje pegamos uma excursao pelas ruinas ao redor de Cusco, conhecidas como o Vale Sagrado de los Incas. Apos dormir 12 horas e consequenemente ter perdido uma noite de balada em Cusco (Cusco tem uma no ... [full story]
May 28th 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley Leaving our hotel in Cusco we headed off to the Sacred Valley. Thoughts of our four day hike on the Inca Trail were at the forefront of our minds as it would be the first time either of us had been h ... 34 photos[full story]
April 26th 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley
In the Popular Arts Museum in Cusco there's an old photo, from 1935, taken by the famous Cusco photographer Martin Chambi, which shows a view of the city from the Inca ruins of Sacsaywaman. It's ea ... 25 photos[full story]
April 22nd 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley dees heb ik al nen hele tijd gelede beginne schrijve, ga het nu vlug afwerke, was da veel te uitgebreid aant make precies (Rit naar) Cuzco
Ondertusse al een tijdje gelede ben ik vanuit Trujillo ... [full story]
March 19th 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley Lesmahagow To Peru - Day 12
Sunday 27th January 2008
Well, another early rise. I am amazed at how I am coping in the mornings, as I am most definitely NOT a morning person, but so far on the tr ... 8 photos[full story]
March 23rd 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley Here we are safe and sound in Cusco, Peru.
We are looking forward to a couple of days off the motorcycles, and our tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Alec, is still in Salta with his wife ... 16 photos[full story]
March 4th 2008South America » Peru » Cusco » Sacred Valley After being dazzled by Cusco, it was time for stops in the Sacred Valley. The agriculture is really rich throughout the valley, and there are Inca terraces all along the way. I opted for hiking an ... [full story]
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