This past weekend we returned from our 15 day trip to Peru. While in Peru we had quite a busy itinerary and were very lucky to not get altitude sickness which is quite common. Here is a recap of the highlights and pictures from all of the different places we went and if you want to see the rest (all 150 +) of the pictures check out our
flickr site.
Lima- highlights of this city included going to the city center for a few hours so that we could see the Plaza de Armes and the city cathedral. We got lucky and while in the plaza it happened to be the changing of the guard at the royal palace. The parade around the square was fun to watch since the military did different formations while the band played. Also while in Lima we stayed in the tourist district of Lima called the Miraflores district and happens to be right on the coast line of the Pacific Ocean.
Arequipa- this was our first real taste of the high altitude since the city is located 7,800 feet above sea level. Our highlights included eating dinner at a rooftop cafe where they gave you ponchos to stay warm, going to the Colca Canyon where we did hiking, went to the hot springs and saw 10 condors.
Cusco- nuzzled between mountains at 10,800 ft is a town filled with narrow little roads and tons of hills. While there we got to see a local festival to celebrate the city's cultural center's 25th anniversary. There were many different dancers who performed local dances. While in Cusco we went the San Francisco Montessori which was quite an interesting look at how the nuns lived back in the early 1900's. We also went horseback riding through the valley. Ben also had a culinary adventure and tried Cuy (guinea pig) which is a typical Peruvian dish.
Cusco is also the jumping off point for the trek through the The Sacred Valley of the Incas or Urubamba Valley which is a valley in the Andes of Peru. This valley is also the gateway to Machu Pichuu. While in the Scared valley we stopped at the Písac which is a traditional Peruvian village and went to the local market where they sell local handicrafts, alpaca goods and traditional food. While at the market we were able to watch the procession of the arrival of the Priest at the local church for mass.
After the market we headed to Ollantaytambo, the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center. At the ruins you get to climb almost 300 steps to get to the top but once you make it, the view of the valley is totally worth it.
Machu Pichuu-highlights included seeing the entire complex of ruins and seeing how the city was designed. We took a few hour guided tour and also explored on our own to see everything. While there we hiked out to Intipunku at the top of the Inka Trail and to the Inca Bridge. This is truly a site that one should see in their lifetime since the construction of the houses and temples by the Inca's is very impressive especially since they used no mortar between the stones which are perfectly aligned. While at Machu Pichuu we stayed in the town in the valley, Aguas Calientes, which is where the train comes into so that you can get to the ruins. The town had great happy hour specials which we decided to try out.
Puno- located at the edge of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest commercially navigable lake, at 12,421 ft above sea level, on the Peruvian Altiplano was quite a fun last stop. Highlights included going to the floating islands of the Uros and getting to walk around on them which is very similar to walking on a water bed. The floating islands are entirely made from reeds that grow in the lake and support 5-7 families on each small island. The entire community is made up of about 40 small floating islands. We also go to take a 25 minute ride on a reed boat from one island to another one which was quite an experience.
After the floating islands we went to Taquile Island, (Isla Taquile) in the middle of Lake Titicaca. On the island there are 600 homes and all of those that live here practice native traditions. While on the island we were able to see local women weaving and local dances being performed to celebrate a local festival. We also had a delicious lunch of trout and local soup that was prepared by the elders of the community.
This was our first vacation in South America and with the exceptions of a few hiccups on the last day trying to fly back to Lima (don't recommend flying on May 1st which is a labor holiday) we'll be planning another vacation soon to South America.
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