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After landing in Cuzco, we left the airport and drove by bus to the Sacred Valley. We spent two nights at a lovely hotel in Urubamba and visited the area. Our visit included some Inca sites, a local market, rafting on the Urubamba River, a visit to the famous Seminario pottery workshop and a home-hosted lunch with a local family. Please see photos for details.
Then we boarded the train in Ollantaytambo for the two-hour trip up to Aguas Calientes, the small town below Aguas Calientes. From there, we took a local bus up to the site of Machu Pichu, which we visited from 2 to 5 in the afternoon. This enabled us to see the sun set, and there were fewer people than earlier in the day. Marco is recognized here as a very knowledgeable and qualified guide, so we learned a lot about the latest research on the Incas and their culture.The whole site is truly magnificent as I´m sure you imagine. We slept that night in a small, family hotel and were up at Machu Picchu again by 6;15 to see the sunrise. After that, we walked to the Inca Bridge and the Sun Gate--a total of
about 8 kms. Then back down the mountain to Aguas Calientes and a train ride back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we drove two hours by bus to Cuzco.
Today was our first visit of Cuzco (see photos). We´ll be here for 4 nights, and then we´re driving down to Puno and Lake Titiccaca.
I´m having a marvelous time. Marco is a terrific guide, and the members of the OAT group are all very nice. The weather has been perfect--warm, no rain, just a few lovely white clouds from time to time. And, so far, I haven´t suffered from altitude sickness, probably because I decided to take Diamox. (which I didn´t take in Tibet 2 years ago and regretted it afterwards because I had terrible headaches.) Only one mishap so far: I must have lost my neck bag in the streets of Ollantaytambo. I only had about $30 in it, but it also contained the keys to the locks of my suitcase and small duffle bag. Fortunately, the bell-boy of my hotel was able to break open the locks by filing them and using a pliers.
That´s all for now. I´ll write again soon.
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Diane
non-member comment
Great review of your trip and photos!
Glad you're having a good trip. Your remarks and photos remind me of my Peru trip about 15 years ago. I may have stayed in that same hotel in the Sacred Valley. I remember chewing cocoa leaves in order to have the energy to climb up to the ruins near there. Your guinea pig looks better nourished than the one they served me!