Peru – 3 days in Cusco & Macchu Pichu
Our last stop on the Peru Hop bus was Cusco.
At 3,400 meters above sea level it was the final destination on our slow route up the Andes. We had left Puno at 21.30 and travelled on the night bus arriving at 6.30 am.
This was the view from our hotel window – very different to Lima.
All the houses have a roof as it rains frequently.
We went for a coffee and heard a lot of noise outside. I was surprised to see a police presence, but then the army was involved as well!
These ladies were shaking their tambourines and eating their lunch at the same time.
The costumes were amazing, the procession went on and on.
There were several walking brass bands, drums, shakers and matracas.
It was obviously a big event involving many different groups. They all put so much effort into their costumes and dancing.
I later found out it was probably The Feast of the Lord of Miracles, a major religious celebration in Peru in October.
Later on we visited the Regional Historical Musem of Cusco
Some diagrams explaining Inca beliefs.
The symbols forming the backbone of the Incas belief system hidden in the milky way.
Unfortunately torrential rain stopped play later on.
The next day we were up at 3am to catch a bus and train to Aguas Calientes.
We had to be at Ollantaytambo station by 6.10 am to catch the special train to Aguas Calientes, where we would then queue to get our tickets for Machu Picchu.
But when we got there it seemed packed and chaotic. We realised that we had to follow the traditionally dressed ladies who held up a letter sign for our carriage.
We were escorted to our carriages by dancing, conch horns blowing, and tambourines!! Brought a smile to most faces.
The train stopped for a little while and we wondered what was happening. We had heard stories of the tracks being blocked due to local protests.
But then the 2 stewards in our carriage put on traditional dress over the top of their smart uniforms and put on a little play for us all.
It was a fabled Inca love story ..
At one point the heartbroken hero pretended to cry on Paul’s shoulder, much to our amusement.
It was all very sweet and entertaining.
The train started again and we alighted at Aguas Calientes, literally Hot Waters in spanish. A town situated in the Urubamba river valley, and known for its thermal baths and gateway to Machu Picchu.
We queued for an hour and bought our last minute tickets for Machu Picchu for the next day.
The town straddles the fast flowing river with a number of bridges. There are many restaurants, cafes and guest houses and a souk-like maze of artisan market stalls separated by colourful cloths that you could easily disappear in for several days before finding your way back out.
The hotel gave us a room with 3 double beds and 1 single bed – enough to sleep 7 people.
Later we walked down to the Museo de Sitio Manuel Chavez Ballon to see Incan artifacts retrieved from the Machu Picchu site.
We had to get out the sexy ponchos again, and I just love these Brugmansia. There was a botanical garden with orchids connected to the museum, but we decided to give it a miss due to the torrential rain…
This shows the route to MP – by bus, zig-zagging up the mountain – and the walking/climbing route, pretty much straight up.
We were given a choice of 6am or midday as our slot to go up to MP the next day.
We chose midday, and the bus.
We had a guide to explain and point out features, who also happened to take quite good photos. 👍
Most of the ruins have been left as found, a few were restored.
Some current inhabitants keep the grass short.
I found the surrounding mountains to be the most awesome bit.
After all the build up to this moment, like xmas, it was soon over.
We did find someone else there though!!
Our return train and bus trip later that day was much quieter and we got back to Cusco at 11.30pm.
The next morning at breakfast we were treated to a much more sombre version of the The Feast of the Lord of Miracles in a different part of the city of Cusco.
A famous local food market with giant flat breads,
and long aisles full of fruit for juicing, drinking and eating. This place had absolutely everything.
The Peru Hop bus didnt take us back to Lima, so we flew there in 1 hour. The plane flew lower than the top of the mountains at one point and the wing looked like it was going to touch them.
Our Machu Picchu journey was finished – but luckily it wasn’t the end of our holiday 😀
