Cusco
Absolute amazing, wonderful buildings, cobbled streets with lots of shops and bars tucked away. Walked miles mostly uphill ! Altitude got us on and off , headache and out of breath but not bad. The hotel was lovely, up a little cobbled side street very old and quaint Los Apus, we even sat on the roof in the sun a couple of times, Went horse riding Dan not too sure about it !! But did see a lot of the countryside around Cusco .On the Sunday we went for a walk around Sunday is a very family orientated day there was lots of things happening in parks we joined one group doing lots of games we were made very welcome it was lovely. Also went to the chocolate factory -- yummy -- sat on the balcony having hot chocolate and chocolate fondu ! Went to the Irish bar which it's claim to fame was for being the highest Irish bar in the world!! a few times the food was wonderful we also found another bar where you could sit upstairs, outside on a balcony overlooking the town square met a couple --- only english people we came across who told us about the Cruz del Sur buses we decided to try them instead of flying.
Went on an old bus to view the town which was interesting also we saw an amazingly large statue of Jesus on top of the hill over looking Cusco with open arms. Saw families camping out flying various kites as it was the kite festival of South America. The weather was strange as it was exceedingly hot during the day then as soon as you walked in the shade or the sun dropped it was freezing. Lots of ladies in traditional dress carrying baby lambs wearing bonnets wanting photo taken felt sorry for the lambs.
Then of course the highlight Machu Picchu. There were 12 in our group all brill guys and all american -- Archna & Arun Ann & Duane Mary & Bill Natalie & Jeff Leeha & John then the guides Antonio & Wilder -- which made the trek --- 50 + miles over 5 days --- great fun. The lodges we stayed in we're amazing more than 5* ! Soray , Wayra , Colpa , Luima . It was wonderful to stay in amazing lodges some with hot tub have delicious food and a hot shower and comfy bed at the end of the days trek
we didn't see anyone else other than the odd local while we were doing the trek . We all got on really well, we would all mix and walk with someone different throughout the day so we got to know everyone very well. The trek was a lot better than I expected some of it a struggle but that was because of the altitude we saw some amazing things one of the days we walked to a glacier Desrie went in to her knees it was b---- freezing !! In an amazing setting there was a local shaman who told us all our fortunes while we sat in a circle !! Dan and Arun were not interested !! They went for a walk around the lake, because of it been a glacier and in a valley we could hear them talking even though they were at the other side of the glacier !
Machu Picchu everything and more than we expected totally unbelievable. The last night we spent in a fantastic hotel Pueblo very upmarket, some of the men and Antonio all got together in Arun and Archna 's room after the meal to play chess. Archna Natalie and I had a girly night in our room loads to laugh and talk about
An amazing adventure would love to do again !!
Then back to Cusco for few nights , same hotel , the first night back Archna Arun Ann Duane and us went for a meal to a wonderful restaurant , sad to say goodby to everyone .
Again we did a lot of walking and exploring just below the hotel we found an amazing tiny pizza restaurant only 5 tables with a big open pizza oven that also kept the place warm it was run by a lovely family including their daughter ( 8 ish ? ) who served us .
We had left some clothes at the laundry to be collected before we left for Arequipa to our horror when we had called for them on our way back to the hotel they were closed !! After loads phone calls and even the police getting involved the owner turned up the police got us a taxi and told him to drive as quick as he could to the bus station we arrived with about 5 mins to spare !! Will always remember the police waving us off with big smiles !!
Then off to Arequipa we decided to try the Cruz del Sur bus , amazing better than flying only 8 big leather comfy seats downstairs that totally reclined, we had blankets and pillows meal Internet and films showing !! Lovely it was about 10 hrs to Arequipa but could sleep so arrived relaxed
Cusco and Machu Picchu. 10/10