We're not sure exactly why, maybe it was the seats, the driver, the roads or just the chance alignment of some far off planets but we arrive into Arequipa on an overnight bus having endured the worst nights sleep ever. We are tried and grumpy. Me more than usual (hard to imagine huh?). We take the first hostel we're offered and get a taxi. We don't care if we're robbed we just want to sleep. It turns out the hostel is in a nice neighbourhood run by a lovelly bl...

We arrive at Aguas Calientes around 9.30pm. It's dark and busy with people trying to find their way. We exit the train station gates through a gauntlet of people shouting and holding name signs. There is chaos. Towards the end of the gauntlet we find a board with Andrew's name and a x2 sign. Phew. The sign holder guides us to our hotel and then advises us on how to get to Machu Picchu and the best times to set off. Our room is simple but nice and backs onto a roa...

The next morning we are up and ready for a 8am departure for the Sacred Valley. By 8.30am we are wondering if we have been sold a duff one and ask for the hostel to call the tour company. We are told that they will pick us up at 9am. At 9am a man comes with our tickets for Machu Picchu and the tickets for the train but no mini bus to start our tour. The tickets have my passport number and my name written incorrectly but the man assures us it would be fine. Just ...

The ride to Cusco is pretty uneventful until the driver hits a dog. Poor thing went with a few bumps. Hope it survived with just bumps and bruises. We have the taxi drill down to a fine art now only getting into official looking taxis, requesting ID if we are unsure and getting the price before we go anywhere. Our habitacion for Cusco was up a steep hill near the centre and has all you can drink coca tea. We take a wander around Cuscu the capital of the Inca a...

The president of Bolivia is visiting Coroico the day we leave Le Senda. Our taxi gets us as close to the town as he can then reverses 5 minutes back down the hill as the roads are closed. We walk the rest of the way back up, find a minibus going to La Paz and wait. No vehicles are allowed to leave Coroico until El Presidente arrives. We stand there watching a motorcade pass and spot him on his way in. We spend two days in La Paz eating, relaxing and head to Co...