Cusco is the starting point for most of the trips to the famous Machu Picchu. The Spanish destroyed most of the Inca cities but never found this one hidden in the mountains. On a walking tour in Cusco a stop to see and hear some of the instruments they play here. Pan pipes of course!
Great thing about travelling is that you meet lots of people. Joyce from Holland - I beat her later at poker in the hostel and won 50 coca leaves. She insisted I point out that she later won at pool!
Peru is very beautiful and the scenery spectacular. This is the "Sacred Valley", close to Machu Picchu.
If you are frightened of heights you may not enjoy all the walking!
If you do not like steps...
Lots of textiles on sale, much of it made from Alpaca wool.
Again, Peru is very pretty...
And like Chile, Peru is very hilly! Something to do with the Andes I think.
To get to MP, there are several different routes, I did what is called the Inca Jungle trail, the first day of which is a downhill ride on mountain bikes, all on road though, so only dangerous really if you cycle into another vehicle.
It is a long way down. On a couple of bus rides we have had to stop with people ill with motion sickness due to the never ending turns.
That evening after the bicycles I went water rafting - quite a lot of fun - but not really wild. Video from another raft on the same day here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvR7zoGpEis
Next day hiking.
Coffee beans drying in the sun.
Little pet monkey liked money!
Hot and steep.
If you are frightened of heights and do not like steps you might not enjoy this. Massive drop straight down!
Err, more steps and not that flat and a small drop to the left.
Lunch time - this is more like it!
Mind the gaps, don't stand near the edge.
Nice easy trail.
Across the river again - but no bridge.
Next day, ziplining. If you are frightened of heights then hanging from a wire 400m from the ground over four lines for a total distance of 3.5km might not be your thing. I was terrified to start with but after not plummeting to my death immediately things improved!
The platform at the end
And the view down from the platform. "Are you sure I am attached to something?"
Hydro elecric power generated here.
The train to Macchu Picchu which went by on the final afternnoon trekking. Most of the group were in their twenties and marched on with enthusiam. My legs were getting a bit tired.
Finally the wonderful city at sunrise.
I did not climb Wayapicchu as did not have a ticket (luckily). But I did ask some people who had if it was possible to trip and fall off. "Oh yes", they said "And you'll take 4 or 5 others with you". Steps are pretty much vertical in places, so maybe not everybody's cup of tea!
More steps, I came to the conclusion that the Incas must have been pretty fit!
Indiana Chris!
Even more steps.
The train goes throgh the centre of the nearby (touristy) town.
One of the guys on our trip, the locals were fascinated by his beard!
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