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Published: October 6th 2008
Baby Alpaca
Located at a private Alpaca Zoo in the Sacred ValleyThis morning after breakfast we set out with a bus group to the Sacred Valley. Because we´re heading to Machu Picchu tomorrow and you cannot take big luggage with you on the train, we left our suitcases in storage at our hotel in Cusco and headed out with 3 days worth of clothing stuffed into backpacks.
Our first stop of the day was at a Peruvian arts center and private zoo where we were able to see native women and girls weaving blankets and other handicrafts. We also got to feed several alpaca and llamas. I became quite attached to a little brown baby alpaca and would have smuggled him home in my bag if I´d had the chance. They are so soft!!
Our next stop on the tour was to the Pisac market, where local Indians gather to sell their merchandise. The place is huge, and since today is Sunday, it was the main market day and full of people. We had an hour to roam around the stalls, which all sell pretty much the same items that you see both in Lima and Cusco (and everywhere else you will go in Peru!). I thought the prices at
Private Alpaca Zoo
Located in the Sacred Valley Pisac were awfully high, especially compared to Cusco. If you are planning on doing souvenir shopping, your best best is really Plaza de Armas and the nearby San Blas area of Cusco.
After Pisac, we stopped at the Tunupa restaurant in the Urubamba Valley to have a traditional peruvian lunch. It was a huge buffet, but, not wanting to take any food risks, I stuck to things that I knew would be safe to eat (mostly sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, and breads). The restaurant had a lovely garden in back, right along the river. There were flowers and horses having their own lunch and the scenery was very peaceful.
Our last stop of the day was Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress located on a mountaintop in the Sacred Valley. There you can climb many, many steps up to get a closer look. It is certainly worth a visit, but beware...it is EXTREMELY windy there! I was closing my eyes every few seconds to keep the sand from blowing in them (note to self... sunglasses are a good investment!).
By this time we were exhausted and dozed on the bus as it dropped us all off at our various
Alpaca
Located at a private Alpaca Zoo in the Sacred Valley hotels. Ours is the Sonesta Posada de Yucay, located in a tiny little town surrounding a soccer (football) field.
Tonight we are going to enjoy some Cusceña beer (the local favorite and often the only brand served in the bars here) and then tomorrow we are off to Machu Picchu!!
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Michael
non-member comment
Awwww, I wonder how Calvin would have responded to having an Alpaca as a brother? Hurrah for going up lots of steps! You must have got some fantastic views from up there. Bizarre to think that once the villages surrounded holy places and now surround football pitches.