Active Adventures
Sunday, Monday April 26 – 27
This morning we were to meet our fellow adventurers of the “Ultimate Machu Picchu and Amazon” journey. Our meeting point was scheduled for midday, at the hotel we would be staying at in Cusco at various times, during the itinerary around Cusco.
Our disappointment at the change of hotel which we had expected, near the main square, was mitigated by the fact that the new hotel was very close to where we were staying. So close indeed, that we were able to just cross a road, and oblige the door man to let us in, with all our heavy luggage, by the back door!
We met the group and our tour leader, Wilson, our Peruvian guide, who speaks both Spanish and Quechua, an indigenous language that was the primary language of the Inca Empire . Wilson is his real name, as his young father was so over-awed when he went to register his birth that he forgot the name they had chosen, and determined the name by reference to the names he saw around him!
Entrance It’s going to get dark! A large area Sliding on rocks Exquisite stonework Far above Cusco
We did not go to San Pedro market, as planned, as it was still closed. So, we were driven to Sacsayhuaman, one of the best preserved and most important Inca sites in the region.
We took time exploring the huge site, learning about the Inca empire and the construction of the buildings. We went through a narrow and low rock passage where it was completely dark, impossible to navigate without holding the backpack of the person in front. This passage had taken water away from a tall tower, where only the outline remains.
Our challenge was walking back down into Cusco and our hotel. This didn’t phase us one jot, as we had climbed up the same steps on the way to Pucapucara two days earlier. It was quite late and getting quite dark by the time we reached our hotel.
We were not allowed long before we were to visit a little tourist theatre, not far from the hotel, to see Peruvian dancing. Lots of twirling and moving in figures, and very brightly coloured dresses. We were however thankful when the show concluded after an hour, and we went to a blissfully simple restaurant.
Monday was spent in the Sacred Valley, forty five minutes drive away.
We were joined by a second guide, Zac who was no stranger to Karen and Vic, whom he guided in Patagonia. They said we were lucky to have him and so it was, indeed!
What a stunning vista the Sacred Vally provides as one approaches from above. It follows the Urubamba river and provides terrain and very steep, high terraces for the cultivation of corn, potatoes, quinoa, vegetables and fruit for Cusco.
Winding road up View over Sacred Valley
Down in the valley we climbed onto our bikes for a ride along an undulating dirt road to the village of Lamay, where Zac happened to live!
It was so tranquil, cycling by the fields, seeing the locals going about their daily routine. Two hours of fantastic cycling; Peter had come along to supervise Lynne with her makeshift enlarged handlebar grip, but was pleasantly surprised how good both the bicycle and his legs were. He enjoyed the ride more than expected!
After a coffee at La Base Lamay, a charming cafe on the square, we headed back by minibus to Pisac, stopping for lunch at a vantage point on the side of the road, overlooking the valley.
Picnic lunch Silver service Ladies and Gents Gastronomic crew
It looked like a wedding feast set out under canvas, with proper chairs, beautifully dressed table and flowers. We enjoyed a glass of a local non-alcoholic brew, which was delicious. We were all pleasantly stunned to learn that the chef and helpers were to accompany us on our impending Lares trek!
Whilst it had been warm in the valley, albeit at 2,870m, it was windy at our lunch spot, so we were grateful for the blankets provided.
Next a heart- pumping climb up the steep terraces to the Pisac Inca ruins. Surprisingly the three of us Brits reached the top building at 3,514m first!
Up there we go Puh! Spot the baby llama 3,514m up
Lots of history and anecdotes as well as a cemetery comprising the graves and tombs of 30,000 Incas. Fortunately we were picked up at the main entrance by our minibus as it was getting late and we had a 90- minute drive back to our hotel, where we would need to pack for our five day trip ending in Machu Picchu.
This was the first of complicated packing logistics: one dufflebag each for our three day Lares trek, to include our sleeping bags, pillows etc., and a shared dufflebag which we would pick up at the end in Ollantaytambo to cover the last two days.