Peru: Incas, Llama's and Chocolate
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| Llama overlooking Machu Picchu |
Ever since I was in primary school I have always wanted to
go to Peru and see Machu Picchu. But as I got older and learnt more about the
culture and history of Peru through Ancient History classes in high school,
documentaries and travel shows on TV and eventually in my Archaeology studies
in University it just made me want to go and experience Peru and Machu Picchu
myself even more. Until eventually in
2014 I finally saved enough to go on my own adventure to Peru( with intrepid
travel-
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/peru/classic-peru-84284).
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| Me in traditional-Sacred Valley traditional dress |
I chose a 9 day tour:
Day 1 Lima:
The tour started in Lima where I met all my fellow travel
companions for a get to know you dinner before heading out for a night walking
tour through the cities well preserved historic centre including a tour of one
of the beautiful Spanish style churches and catacombs.
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| Machu Picchu |
Day 2-Cuzco:
On day 2 we got up early to travel to catch a flight to
Cuzco. I loved the cobblestone stone
streets and how Spanish architecture has been incorporated in the existing
Incan architecture. It is interesting to
note that Cuzco has experienced many earthquakes that have destroyed Spanish
and modern architecture but the original Incan Incan architecture has not
sustained any damage at all.
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| Machu Picchu |
Day 3-Aguas Calientes:
Today was spent driving through the Sacred Valley. Peru's
agricultural region north of Cusco. And spending some time with its residents
helping them gather food for a traditional meal they served us for lunch.
Before heading onto Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Aguas Calientes in the
gorge a below the ruins of Machu Picchu
to spend the night before heading up the mountain to spend the day at
Machu Picchu.
Day 4- Machu Picchu /Cuzco
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| Machu Picchu |
The morning was spent at the UNESCO World Heritage site of
Machu Picchu located at the meeting point of the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon
Basin 2430m above sea level. Built in the 15th century by the Incan Empire,
Machu Pichu was abandoned when the Incan Empire was conquered by the Spaniards
at the end of the 16th Century by the Inca's. Macchu Pichu is made up of
approximately 200 structures including temples, palaces, paths and roads, water
channels all constructed from large cut stones (geological analysis shows that
it was sourced from another mountain) without any cement.
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| Intrepid tour group-Machu Picchu |
Day 5-Machu Picchu
After spending an amazing morning wandering around the
amazing ruins, paths and trails of Machu Picchu we headed back down to Aguas
Calientes for lunch before catching the train back to Ollantaytambo to meet our
coach to head back to Cuzco.
Day 5-Cuzco
This day was spent exploring the streets of Cuzco and
visiting the Chocolate Museum and the Coca Museum.
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| Native of Cusco |
Day 6-7: Puno/Lake Titicaca
We spent the night in Puno before going for a cruise on Lake
Titicaca to see the floating Islands of Uros and Taquile Island which is home
to the knitting men. Before heading to a small community on the shore of Lake
Titicaca to meet our host families for our homestay.
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| Floating Islands of Uros- Lake Titicaca |
Day 8-9: Lima
Day 8 was spent travelling back to Lima were we spent our
farwell dinner before spending our final night in Lima before heading home on
day 9.
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| Floating Islands of Uros- Lake Titicaca |
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Peru. I would
love to return one day and trek the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. And also see
the Nazca Lines.
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| Intrepid Group Lake Titicaca |
Resources:
Puru Tourism website: http://www.peru.travel/
UNESCO World Heritage Convention- http://whc.unesco.org/
Peru Rail-http://www.perurail.com/
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