Travel Blog for Fredrik and Gunnhild

Peru

Machu Picchu

Fredrik 15 June, 2008 Cusco

Yesterday we got up at 0430 in order to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. We started with a 2.5 hours guided tour where we got a lot of interesting information about the city and all the myths and legends connected to it. Fascinating!

Machu Picchu

After a short lunch we decided to try to be one of the lucky 400 to climb Wayna Picchu. We were a bit late, but just made it. We were number 399 and 400!

Wayna Picchu is the mountain you see on pretty much every picture of Machu Picchu. The climb was steep, difficult and sometimes a bit scary, but when we reached the top after approximately one hour it was all worth it! The views of Machu Picchu, the Inca trail and the surrounding area was unbelievable!

This is also the only place where you can see the condor architecture of Machu Picchu.

We have uploaded a couple of mobile pictures. The rest will come as soon as we get back to the civilization. Now we are on our way to the Amazon.

Fredrik 15 June, 2008 Cusco
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On our way to Machu Picchu

Fredrik 14 June, 2008 Cusco

When arriving in Cusco we met a travel agent (Adan – http://www.awecusco.com) who has helped us with all our outstanding arrangments. For today he fixed a privat driver to Ollantaytambo and train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Yesterday he told us that he would join us, and asked if we wanted to stop on some sights on the way. Of course we did!!

Moray

At 9 a.m. Adam and his driver picked us up, and we said goodbye to the rest of our group. We drove through some amazing landscapes and had our first stop in Moray, a terraced circle with different temperature and climate on each level. The theory is that the Inkas used this as a laboratory to test which crops to grow in which conditions.

Private tour to Moray and Salinas

We also had a short stop at Salinas, which are thousands of salt pans used since Inka times.

Train to Machu Picchu

At 1 p.m. we started the journey towards Machu Picchu by train from Ollantaytambo. As you can see on the Pictures page we had the whole (small) train to ourselves.

We are now in Aguas Calientes, and will meet our Machu Picchu tour guide for a short briefing later tonight.

Fredrik 14 June, 2008 Cusco
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Sacred Valley

Fredrik 13 June, 2008 Cusco

Yesterday we all went on guided tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a short photo / market stop in the mountains we stopped at the Pisac ruins. It was quite a hard and steep walk to the top, but it was definately worth it. Seven of us also walked parts of the Inka Trail, a more challenging route, back to the bus.

Pisac ruins

We had a huge lunch buffet with a lot of local specialities in Urubamba, before we continued to the famous ruins in Ollantaytambo. This spectacular fortress was one of the few places where the Spanish conquistadors lost a major battle.

Chinchero

Our last stop of the day was Chinchero, known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow. We visited the colonial church, some Inca ruins and the local market.

Right now we are sitting in a car on our way to Moray. The views are spectacular!

Fredrik 13 June, 2008 Cusco
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Cuzco city sightseeing

Fredrik 12 June, 2008 Cusco

Jørgen, Kristina, John and Laura arrived early this morning and we all had breakfast in the hotel.

After lunch we went on a guided tour of the city and the inka ruins in the area. In the city centre we visited the cathedral and Qorikancha – temple of the sun.

We visited three ruins outside of Cuzco. Saqsaywaman (also referred to as Sexy Woman) was huge although a lot of it was ruined by the Spanish to build houses and churches in Cuzco. Tambomachay was a ceremonial stone bath with fountains still functioning. Q`enqo means zigzag, and this ruin had a lot of carvings on top, and alters for sacrifices in a tunnel below.

Cusco by night

Tomorrow we are going on a Scared Valley tour.

Fredrik 12 June, 2008 Cusco
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First day in Cuzco

Fredrik 11 June, 2008 Cusco

We arrived in the hotel in Cuzco around 1 pm and got a fantastic welcome. We were served a cup of coca tea (for the altitude) in the lounge while the staff handled our luggage and all paperwork.

We booked the tours for the next few days and checked out a small museum before it was time for some dinner. In spite of the experience yesterday we decided to try another local speciality – Alpaca with local herbs and fruits and a local wine. Fantastic!

Parade at Plaza De Armas, Cusco

After dinner there was a huge parade in the main street. Local children in local costumes dancing in the street. Almost like 17th of May in Norway.
At the moment we are relaxing in the hotel, trying to adjust to the altitude.

Looking forward to some city sightseeing tomorrow.

Fredrik 11 June, 2008 Cusco
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Leaving Lima, going to Cuzco

Fredrik 10 June, 2008 Cusco, Lima

All the guidebooks claim that Lima is a dangerous and unwelcoming city. We have experienced the oposite. The driver that picked us up at the airport was very friendly, and in spite of very limited English he were able to explain everything we saw on the way.

First Pisco Sour in Lima

We stayed in a small and very cozy hotel, central but quiet and peaceful. The first evening we went to a market/folklore festival, tasted the peruvian drink Pisco Sour and went to bed early.

Yesterday we woke up early and went city sightseeing. We walked to the main square, and later took a taxi to Miraflores. We walked along the beach for a while and stopped for beer and food on the way.

After some last minute shopping we had to taste the Lima speciality ceviche which is raw seafood marinated in lime. Been there, done that, never again… 😉

In a few minutes our nice driver is taking us to the airport and we are headed for Cuzco.

We have had a great time so far, and are really looking forward to the rest of the trip. How are things back home? Use our guestbook!

Fredrik 10 June, 2008 Cusco, Lima
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One week…. and then we are off

Fredrik 30 May, 2008 Future Travel, Peru

It is one week left until we leave Norway and go to Peru
We will fly to Lima and stay there for one day. Then we will fly to Cusco (3300m or 10800 ft). In Cusco we will meet up with Jørgen, Kristina, Jon and Laura.

Cusco will be our “base” for about a week. From there we will go to Machu Picchu (2400m or 7875 ft), Sacred Valley and Amazonas.

The next stop wil be the city Puno and Lake Titicaca (3812m or 12507ft). We will stay there for three days.

Then our trip will take us to Arequipa (2380m or 7740ft) and Colca Canyon.

Then we will go back to Lima and go for a 3 day’s trip south of Lima to the Paracas Nature Reserve and the Nazca Lines.

Peru Map
Map with travel details

PeruPlaning

Fredrik 30 May, 2008 Future Travel, Peru
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