Peruvian Celebrations!

[amaroo]

View from the room.



The grounds..

 

[amaroo]

Hi amaroo, we will be in Peru early October. So, will follow your trip report with interest. Have booked hotels and trains to MP and Puno. But, will need to book local transfers and tours. Would appreciate some recommendations / suggestions - maybe I will send you PM.

Still making our way to MP. Happy to answer any Q's you may have.

 

[amaroo]

<snip>

And Macchu Picchu is actually lower in altitude than Cuzco,( 2600+m compared to 3100+m if I remember right?). Sacred Valley, Urubamba, Ollaytantambo and Aguas Caliente are all about the 1800m

FWIW Sacred Valley is a good pit stop between Cuzco and MP due to its altitude splitting the two.

http://www.ladatco.com/PER Altitudes.htm

We went to Pisac today... beautiful!

 

[UP4014]

When I was last in Peru it was a wild west place with my hotel in Lima (Swisshotel) having machine Uzi toting guards surrounding it and driving in convoys with security cars.

Good to see the place has changed.

Matt

 

[Myrna]

Still making our way to MP. Happy to answer any Q's you may have.

Thanks, amaroo. Will send you a PM next week. Enjoy your trip report. Lovely photos!

 

[Milboo]

I loved the beds there - i remember lying down briefly and waking up an hour later!

Make sure your driver takes you the other way back to Cuzco for different views.

 

[amaroo]

The trip from Santiago to Belmond Rio Sagrado was long ... we left our Santiago hotel at 6.30am and arrived at the hotel 4pm. When you factor in the 2 hour time difference between Peru and Chile - it was a big day.

We headed straight for the (heated) pool, and then the spa for a hot tub - perfect!

Feeling a little refreshed it was time to eat ... we decided the hotel restaurant was worth trying.

We enjoyed pre-dinner drinks on the terrace

 

[RooFlyer]

Are you overnighting in Cusco ?
Can recommend two restaurants
A Mi Manera , open kitchen vg food and service
Fallen Angel , over the top ambience and much flashier but still ok food

Cheers. We have two nights in Cusco, will take a look- thanks

If you are sick of cuy and corn by that time, may I recommend Le Soleil, a block from the Plaza Armas in the centre of town. French? in Cusco? Yes ... you won't regret it.

 

[amaroo]

Delicious meal in an awesome location.

 

[amaroo]

Day 2 Sacred Valley

Lovely breakfast with full A la carte service.

We were picked up at 9am for a full day tour of the valley (8 hours)

First stop Ollantaytambo https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ollantaytambo

I took a heap of photos however, I'll cull them down to 5 to keep the TR flowing.



Unbelievable stonework









Amazing place! A must visit when visiting MP.

 

[amaroo]

After spending a few hours at Ollantaytambo - it was time to try a local delicacy....





We tried it ... it was not the best of meals.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yep. See post #68

 

[Mattg]

Thoroughly enjoying your trip report so far. Looks like you're having a great trip.

I'm returning to Peru in 2 months... getting very excited now!

 

[Bindibuys]

The Lama Pizza is OK. (and you may get tired of learning about potatoes)

 

[amaroo]

Day 2 Sacred Valley (con't)

Pisac https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Písac

We got dropped off at 3446m and walked to the top - elevation at the top is 3514m ... around 400m higher than Cusco.

Like all the Inka ruins we've visited - this place is spectacular!

 

[amaroo]

Another one that is a must see!

 

[amaroo]

Day three Sacred Valley

Chinchero https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinchero_District

Altitude is the same as Lake Titicaca (12,375 feet) ... these sites provide a great opportunity to acclimatise before hitting MP, Cusco and the Lake.

 

[amaroo]

Day three Sacred Valley (con't)

Moray https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moray_(Inca_ruin)

Basically an Inca agriculture laboratory - unbelievable!

Same altitude as Cusco.











Simply Awesome!

 

[love_the_life]

I remember being amazed by the actual size of the circles (as well as all the other Incan constructions). The building skills must have been fantastic. Great pics Amaroo.

 

[tgh]

and all in 300 years…….