Cusco is a beautiful city nestled in the Andes at an altitude of 3326 metres above sea level. In fact, on arrival, it is a very good idea to go to bed for a few hours in order to allow your body to adjust to this altitude.
As you approach Cusco you are struck with red brick colouring of this city. It is due to the fact that the predominant material used for roofing is red tiles. We also discovered that the local authorities have decreed that in future all roofing must remain this way as well as external painting to be maintained in white and sky blue colour scheme.
One must in this area is to take a day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas which visits such places as Pisac, a colourful market town, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. All three are famous for both their Inca and Spanish historical sites. The architectural designs and constructional abilities of these peoples are truly amazing.
The bright colours of the Pisac market.
The pictures above show another huge Inca site overlooking Cusco and it is called Saqsaywaman, literally pronounced 'sexy woman'!.JPG)
The Vistadome train service to Aguas Calientes takes about four hours and is an extremely comfortable way of beginning our visit to Machu Picchu. The train journey is basically divided into three sections, the first being five or six switchbacks as we climb out of Cusco, then there is the ride through the Sacred Valley following the Rio Urubamba and finally riding through the extremely steep sided valley to the small town of Aguas Calientes..JPG)
This town at 2410 metres above sea level is virtually right below Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes translates into hot water and we both took a soothing bath in these springs just outside of the town.Next morning at 5.30 a.m. we were on one of the first buses to ascend to Machu Picchu. Although it was to be my third visit to the site, the excitement and amazement of the grandeur does not diminish. You cannot but marvel at this place, especially when you realise that it has now been declared as one of the recently installed ‘Seven Wonders of the Modern World’.
Elena was determined to scale Wayna Picchu, something she did in great style and is still talking about the experience!
Elena before and after the climb!We were lucky to visit Machu Picchu so early in the morning as the first of the tourist trains arrive around 10.00 a.m. and then the visitor numbers increase dramatically. In fact when we were departing for Aguas Calientes early in the afternoon people were still arriving in numbers and streaming through the entrance gates. One major achievement for me was that for once my daughter cost more than me due to the fact that my Peruvian residency got me in for half price. Viva Peru!
Back to Cusco and then early next morning onto a day bus to Puno, this time the elevation has risen to 3830 metres above sea level. If altitude problems are going to strike you down this is where it will occur. Thankfully all three of us only suffered from occasional shortness of breath and very dry throats when you awake in the morning. Puno is situated on the shores of the highest navigable lake in the world.
Back to Cusco and then early next morning onto a day bus to Puno, this time the elevation has risen to 3830 metres above sea level. If altitude problems are going to strike you down this is where it will occur. Thankfully all three of us only suffered from occasional shortness of breath and very dry throats when you awake in the morning. Puno is situated on the shores of the highest navigable lake in the world.
It can hardly be called a lake when its dimensions are 170 kms. in length and 60 kms. in width. Its deepest point is estimated to be 240 metres and in reality it is one kilometre higher than Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko! 60% of this lake belongs to Peru and 40% to Bolivia and both have a small navy presence on the water. Lake Titicaca is where you can also visit the famous floating reed islands.Puno to Arequipa was an easy five hour bus ride, as well as a welcome drop in altitude, 2350 meters above sea level. Possibly the most beautiful city of our travels. While Cusco is predominately red, Arequipa is largely constructed of silla, a white local stone. It is also situated at the base of not one, but three volcanoes, El Misti, Chacchani and Picchu Picchu.
The Central Plaza of Arequipa is something else by night, especially when viewed from one of the many upstairs colonnade restaurants.Arequipa is also boasts of being the home of the Convent of Santa Catalina, a veritable city within the immediate vicinity of the Central Plaza. It is possibly Arequipa’s main tourist attraction and is a must to visit. Within the Convent walls the buildings and small streets are painted in red ochre and bright blue while potted red geraniums are placed everywhere. The history of this Convent it worth reading on any of the many websites as also are the websites for Juanita the Ice Maiden and Maison del Fundador, the home of the founder of Arequipa. Two other noted attractions of Arequipa.
Our trip ended with a fifteen hour overnight bus ride back to Lima, however, the Cruz del Sur bus line is one of the best and even the lower section of these double-decker buses are equipped with the most comfortable full cama seats, recliner beds, and you don’t need to guess where the three of us were!
