Backpacker Train to Aguas Calientes

We rode a combination of the Backpacker Train and bus from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. There is no road into Machu Picchu - you either walk (The Inca Trail) or take the train. However - there were major floods in Feb 2010 that washed out almost 20 places along the train tracks. So - we had to be at the train station at 5:00 am and caught the bus (over the train tracks) to the train!

Actually - we feel fortunate that we were able to reach Machu Picchu - over 75% of seats are not available due to the flood damage. The country is working very hard to make the necessary repairs! (Tourists in Feb 2010 had to be evacuated by helicopter - see river shot)
Aguas Calientes is the small village at the foot of Machu Pichu that serves as the commercial hub.

Ollantaytambo and Samanapaq Hotel

It was almost dark when we arrived in Ollantaytambo. This is a small town built directly over the ancient Inca city - utilizing the same walls and street plan. Fresh water continually runs through the town.

We enjoyed our hotel in Ollantaytambo - the owner of the hotel - standing with Darrell was most gracious!

Urumbamba River Valley and Idols on rooftops

The Urumbamba River looks peaceful flowing through the valley. Local people put idols of bulls on top of their houses seeking blessings.

Urumbamba and Tunupa Restaurant

We stopped for lunch at a wonderful hacienda style restaurant located on the Urumbamba River. The restaurant featured local Andean specialties. The World Cup Futbol (Soccer) is being televised. Every shop and restaurant has the games on - drawing customers and workers alike.

Colorful costumes at Pisac Sunday Market

More local people at the Pisac Market - selling potatoes! Children with baby animals are impossible to resist! (Social commentary excluded!)

Pisac Market - selling coca leaves,

Selling coca leaves - the natives chew the leaves on a daily basis. Also - it was interesting to watch an elderly lady load a huge bag of stalks of grasses on her back (used to make tatched roofs and feed animals).

Sunday Market in Pisac

The weekly market at Pisac in the Sacred Valley is an important event for the local people. Fruits, vegetables, crafts are on display. These photos reflect the typical native people as they visit the market.

Views and the Sacred Valley and Coca Tea

We see our first snow capped peaks of the Andes Mountains. And we drink our first .. of many.. cups of coca tea. It is supposed to help with coping with the altitude - I don't think it actually works. But it is a nice herbal tea.

Children and Alpacas in the Andes

As we entered the Sacred Valley - we stopped a a lookout point and were greeted by native Andean children with their alpaca - like a llama.

Cusco, Peru and views of the Sacred Valley

We arrived in Cusco, Peru in the Andes Mountains on July 20, 2010. (We flew from Lima to Cusco - a 26 hour drive or a one and half hour flight).

We stopped to see the Plaza des Armas - crowded with people for the pre-ceremonies of Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun). We drove from Cusco over a 13,000 + foot pass and into the sacred valley. The Indians have been farming the terraces on the side of the mountain for hundreds of years. It is hard to imagine how steep the mountain sides are and the difficultly of life in high altitudes.

La Dama Juana's Folklore Show and dinner

On our last night in Lima, Peru before going to the Andes Mountains - we went to La Dama Juana's Restaurant. We sampled foods from all the regions of Peru. And we saw traditional dances from all the regions.

The restaurant is located in Lacarmar center - a combination mall and food mall - located on the cliffs of Miraflores - overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Lima.

Elaine, Dave and Kathleen Roberts, Phyllis and Rick Roberts and Lanny Scholes. (Darrell skipped).

Skulls - Ica Archeaology Museum - Southern Peru

The Nasca Culture "shaped" babies heads beginning at birth. The skulls actually look like the one from "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull?" Historians aren't sure why this shaped appealed to the Nasca? The Nasca also performaned brain surgery by actually drilling into the skull. Skulls show the evidence of this practice.

Nasca Mummy - not sure even a mother could love this face?

This was the last stop on our tour of Southern Peru. We head north back to Lima - then to the highlight of our trip - The Inca Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!!

Pan American Highway and Nasca Lines Lookout Tower

On the drive north back to Lima - we stopped at the Tower alongside the Pan American Highway. Kathleen walks across the highway - the longest in the world - supposedly connecting Alaska with Chile along the Pacific coast!

Seeing the "Tree" and the "Hands" from the Tower allows for a perspective on just how large some of the shapes of the Nasca lines are!

The group at the Cantayo Hotel in Nasca

We purchased some wine from the Tacama Winery in Ica on our trip into Nasca. It was nice to enjoy on the veranda outside our hotel room At Cantayo Hotel.

Lanny and Elaine near the infinity pool.

Antiques at the hotel. The hotel was a a very traditional Spainish Peru facility with a touch of Tibetian Buddhism thrown in!

Cantayo Hotel and Resort in Nasca

Our hacienda style hotel - Cantayo - in Nasca was really beautiful. Formerly an old farm - it is now a wonderful hotel and spa. The grounds are walled. There are many animals on the grounds including this alpaca. Peacocks are roaming and beautiful landscaping!

Gold extractions in Nasca

We went to a little shop inside a walled area to see how gold is extracted from ore in the Nasca region. It is a very difficult and physically challenging job to obtain gold from the mountains. The men must walk in and use very primitive means to extract the ore. But evidentally the financial reward is greater - several times more than a man could make on the farm in the same time period.

The father and son who own the shop showed us the process.

The route to the shop is pot-holed and cluttered with junk! I think only a local could find this place.!

Nasca Pottery demonstration

The Nasca Culture is known for its detailed pottery. We were able to visit a local home and pottery workshop to watch the pottery being made. They do not use wheels or molds - everything is made by hand.