Peru 2011

February 17, Machu Piccu, Peru

Up early and off again, but all down hill!  But very rocky but still nice.

Walked through a forest with very unusual trees.  Apparently these trees are unique to the whole area.  They have bark that seems to shred and is very red in colour.

Arrived at pick up point about 2 1/2 hours later.

As has been usual, the tents are set up, cook/dining tent ready as is lunch!  Lunch is and has been a 2 course meal.  Great soups, and then some excellent main meal.  Have eaten a lot of food!  All great.  This is 5 star camping.  Coffee or coca tea delivered to tent each morning, tents set up and taken down.  Wash basin set out for each of us.  Tough life! 

Bus to Ollantaytambo, where had some time for a coffee, and to walk around.

Caught the train to Machu Picchu city, taking about 2 hours.  Very slow but the scenery of the valley, river and mountains is great.  Lunch/snack served as well.  Very impressive.

Checked into hotel and imediately took off to soak in the hot springs.  Tough as it was up hill as well!  More walking but at least this was stoned walk ways.  The hot springs very nice, even with the gravel bottom in the pool.  Water not that hot, but still good to soak the muscles.......

Could have used more but they were closing.  Off for small dinner and back to hotel.  In bed (a real one) by 10.

February 16, Lares Trek, Peru

Woke up early, and when out of tent, the whole area was in the cloud!  Very nice, so peaceful and quiet, it must have been all the mist in the air!

Everything wet, but still put the same clothes on.  Awake at 6.30 am so lots of sleep, and can feel the legs, but not stiff so that is good!

Off walking again!  In the mist and a bit of rain to start with and did not clear until after we had gone through a short sleet/hail storm!  Thank god for the poncho!  All this and climbing to 4600 meters!  This was the highest we were to climb.  Slow going but made it.  Walked about 6 hours again in total.  But this was tough going.

Interesting as I seem to be the only one not really affected by the altitude!  The guide said that he has found the smokers do fine, as they are used to a lack of oxygen!  Shock!  But works for me!

The afternoon was great as almost got completely dry!  Shoes still very wet, but with my new alpaca socks, feet are wet but warm!  

February 15, Lares Trek, Peru

Up and off at 5 am!  Ugly!  But after a 2 1/2 hour bus ride, were left to start the hike!

7 people to look after the 4 of us!  Amazing.  Weather is cool, but not raining, YET!

Only 1 other group seems to be starting at same time.

The trek started at Pata Cancha a small place about 1 hour up gravel/dirt roads from Ollantaytambo and continued on a loop to Yanahuara.

Amazing country side.  Some of the climbs were tough, but this is the easy day!

Morning started off very nice, but rained most of the afternoon!  Poured actually!  

My $5 poncho has already paid for itself!

Walked for about 6 hours is total today!  Exhausted but feel great as it is an accomplishment!

Off to bed about 8 pm.  So early.  Nice dry tent, and warm sleeping bag, and so quiet.  Camp was at about 3600 meters.

February 14, Cusco, Peru

Spent most of day visiting the local ruins.  Started at Tambomachay.  This was nice as it was fountains.  The ability to run the water was impressive.

Then to Puka Puakara, which was a place of rest.

Caught a taxi to the next place, Qenqo.  Much digging still going on here!  This is the sacred shrine to the sun and moon.  Built into natural caves, there was a place of sacrifice.

Then to the last and largest. Saqsaywaman.  This apparently looks like a puma from the air.  But told we need some imagination!  This is huge with 3 different levels.  The stone work again is very impressive.  This one was more fortress like.

February 13, Cusco, Peru

Up for breakfast and off in van to bus station at 7.30 am.  Caught a local bus to Cusco.  389 km but takes about 7 hours!

Cusco is at about 3600 meters so a bit on cool side.  Hotel is close to main square so great to be able to walk around.  Very nice city but full of tourists and all shops geared to the tourist.

Did not do much.