Peruvian Celebrations!

[juddles]

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!

View attachment 69435

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"QANTUS RAQAY" ?? Is that the ruins of a QF lounge from way back when they actually flew to most places?

 

[juddles]

RooFlyer, I really think the Qantus Raqay name is a winner, and if in the distant future QF did fly to Peru, and built a lounge there with that name, I would head there!

 

[amaroo]

Day three Sacred Valley (con't)

Maras salt ponds https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maras,_Peru#Notable_residents

Fascinating! Been bagging salt here since the Incas...





The source

 

[amaroo]

Sacred Valley has been a wonderful experience - worth visiting in its own right IMO.

I'd recommend arranging for a car, driver and guide to get around. We did two days of touring - Day 1 was 8 hours, day 2 was 5 hours.

Stunning scenery...

 

[amaroo]

Catching the train to Machu Picchu today ... forecast looks perfect!

 

[Milboo]

If you have a spare ziplock bag, feel free to empty out the Munya Sugar from the hotel buffet! I loved this mint sugar and tried to buy it everywhere after having it there, but to no avail

 

[amaroo]

Make sure you get a pisco sour making lesson from Jimmy there when sitting at the bar one night!

Highly recommend checking out the spa too.

Just for you Milboo...



The spa was excellent.

 

[amaroo]

Hiram Bingham Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu

Ollantaytambo train station ... the place was packed minutes before I took this photo.



Lunch menu ... Not sure why the drinks were priced as it's an all inclusive service.

 

[amaroo]

No complaints with the meal service.

 

[amaroo]

The train trip to Machu Picchu is full on scenery!

 

[love_the_life]

Oh Amaroo you are bringing it all back - so many great memories. Wish I could go again. It is just such an amazing place.
Looks like you are really enjoying your trip. Hope MrsAmaroo is having a wonderful time as well.

 

[amaroo]

The Hiram Bingham train includes the bus to MP, entrance tickets and guided tour.

The transition from train to bus was efficient, and before long we arrived at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.

We check-in, dropped the bags in the room, and headed off on the guided tour.

First look of MP









2 hours later we were sipping Pisco Sours in the Belmond bar

 

[amaroo]

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge - Machu Picchu

I wanted to stay at this property as soon as I started researching the trip... such an unique location!

Belmond is the building just to the left of Machu Picchu

 

[amaroo]

Sanctuary Lodge is an all inclusive establishment - Full board with alcoholic beverages included.

The food presented was of a high standard considering the logistical problems of running a hotel in the middle of nowhere.

We enjoyed two days of breakfast, lunch and dinner and couldn't fault the quality of the food or service.

 

[amaroo]

Day 2 Machu Picchu

Big day today! This is the day we're going to climb Wayna Picchu (Huayna Picchu) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huayna_Picchu

Only 400 people a day are allowed to make the climb - 200 at 7am and 200 at 10pm. I booked the 7am group ... tickets sell out fast, so you need to book months in advance.

Wayna Pucchu is the big mountain in the background



Queuing at Wayna Picchu gate





Sunrise over the mountains



And we're off

 

[amaroo]

The climb!

 

[amaroo]

The top!











Awesome views from the top - oh, what a feeling!

 

[yld200]

Wow that really looks special! Amazing photos - I get a nervous feeling looking at some of those steep shots.

 

[love_the_life]

We passed on the climb. I admire you. Those steps often don't have anything to hold on to and can be a bit on the scary side. But it is one amazing place.

 

[juddles]

Just an anecdote as you reminded me of my trip to MP.

I spend some periods in my life smoking. I know it is a bad habit, but I think of it as the salt of Life. It is healthier to go without, but it tops off an otherwise good moment, into something spectacular.

When I was going to MP, I knew from research that I just had to go up Huayna. I hadn't been smoking for years but knew that moment getting to the top would be a rare moment in life, so a couple of weeks before the trip I took up the habit again.

On the day, I made it into the first group with Huayna access, and being very fit at the time, I was sure I would be the first person to get to the top.

The entire MP area is smoke-free, which I respected, but I took a single Marlboro for that moment at the Huayna top. I thought I had left everybody way behind, but when I got to the peak of Huayna, where you clamber through some huge boulders to get to the very highest point, I immerged to find a lovely young lady had managed to just beat me!

There was no way I would contaminate her moment with a smoke, so I waited patiently as she admired the view. After about 15 minutes of us just sitting there, I finally confessed to her that I was waiting for her to go so I could enjoy my moment with my Marlboro. She looked at me at said she was doing the exact same thing!

We naughtily lit our smokes and had a moment of absolute magic.

She was a doctor from South Africa. You meet the most amazing people at MP.