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Peru 2009/2010

Peru Dec 09/Jan 10:
  • 5 days in Cuzco
  • 1 day Sacred Valley Tour
  • 4 day Trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • 4 days in Lima
We spent five days in Cuzco to do some sightseeing and acclimatize to the altitude before setting off on our 4 day trek on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. During this time Tracey got pretty sick almost to the point where we were about to return home early. Luckily though, after seeing a doctor and taking some different medicines, she felt good enough to do the trek. Cuzco was a really cool city to explore, lots of history (both Inca and Spanish), and many Inca ruins to see. Since we were there for New Year's and the days leading up to it, there were nightly events at the city's main square, the Plaza de Armas. After spending some time in Cuzco, we began our guided trip with Gap Adventures. On the first day we saw different ruins and towns (such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo) in the Sacred Valley. Then we began our 4 day trek on the Inca Trail which would eventually lead us to Machu Picchu. Though it was a guided trek with porters that carried all of the group gear and up to 6kg (13lbs) of our personal gear, it was still more challenging than I had expected. On the second day we hiked through a pass in the mountains that took us above 13,000ft and the third day was our longest mileage day. We experienced pretty wet and rainy conditions on the 2nd and third day as well. Luckily, we did get some sun and blue skies on our final day of the trek at Machu Picchu, which was just an absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring place. It is a beautiful site that everyone should go and visit, just maybe not during the rainy season. After our trek ended we flew back to Lima and spent a couple of days there. I wasn't too impressed with Lima as it felt like another big city with a lot of pollution, but it did have some impressive Spanish architecture.
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It was New Year's Day and there was a big event going on in the main square of Ollantaytambo. In these photos the locals were playing a game very similar to bowling where they would roll stones and try to knock down wooden posts.
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It was New Year's Day and there was a big event going on in the main square of Ollantaytambo. In these photos the locals were playing a game very similar to bowling where they would roll stones and try to knock down wooden posts.

PeruSacred ValleyIMG9811

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  • Tracey being goofy.
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  • Kind of like the Tuk-Tuks we saw in Thailand.
  • It was New Year's Day and there was a big event going on in the main square of Ollantaytambo. In these photos the locals were playing a game very similar to bowling where they would roll stones and try to knock down wooden posts.
  • Untitled photo
  • It was New Year's Day and there was a big event going on in the main square of Ollantaytambo. In these photos the locals were playing a game very similar to bowling where they would roll stones and try to knock down wooden posts.
  • It was New Year's Day and there was a big event going on in the main square of Ollantaytambo. In these photos the locals were playing a game very similar to bowling where they would roll stones and try to knock down wooden posts.
  • Day 2 of our Gap Adventures trip. Our group waiting to head over to the trailhead for our trek on the Inca trail. In the green jacket is one of our guides Cheo (Chay-O), not sure how you actually spell his name.
  • Our group at the start of our trek on the Inca Trail. One of our porters on the right, the others had already gone ahead.
  • The Urubamba River to our left. We are coming up to the first checkpoint where they check and stamp our passports. Access to the Inca Trail is highly regulated. You must have a permit and be with a guide.
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  • On the first day we were still fairly close to civilization so there were places along the way to stop and rest and purchase snacks or drinks if you wanted. Here, we are taking a break under the shade of this canopy.
  • The girl in the center is selling snacks and drinks like gatorade.
  • This was the one main steep uphill section that was the toughest part of the day, otherwise the first day was pretty mellow without too much elevation change.
  • Looking back at the trail.
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