Crossing the border during the thunderstorm Arriving at the main square in Cusco
The general buzz and feel of Cusco, touristy but cool at the same time
Not quite getting the pork at pork alley when we accidentally ordered the “menus”
The “bus station” where we caught the bus to Pisac for 3 soles
Climbing up to see the Pisac ruins and having that feeling like we were discovering it
The excitement of getting on the train to Machu Picchu
The train ride itself especially going through the villages and then when the landscape turned into the jungle
The craziness and strangeness of Aguas Calientes
Looking out at the fireworks for Christmas Eve, the place looking like a scene from some war torn city
Our host coming to find us at the bus stop with our packed lunches
Getting on the first bus up to Machu Picchu
Beating the hikers up the mountain!
The first sight of Machu Picchu with the clouds parting on Christmas Day morning and getting the photos without anyone in the way
Climbing up the Mach Picchu mountain
The whole experience of Machu Picchu
The restaurant where we had our Christmas lunches and dinner
The streets around Ollantaytampu town
The Alpaca steak at Ollantaytampu just delicious
The taxi ride back to Cusco on my birthday, just a great drive especially when in turned into a sightseeing tour
The tapas and pisco sours and watching the action at the restaurant for my b’day
The impressive interior of the cathedral on the main square in Cusco
The first bus in Peru complete with TVs in the seat backs, unfortunately a little too short in the leg space and a little winding in the driving. Lucky it was dark
Walking around the monestary in Arequipa
The bus drive to the Colca Canyon, impressive altitude, views and a little scary
Arriving at Cabanaconde, a small town in the middle of nowhere
The hike through the Colca Canyon just spectacular
The feeling of accomplishment when we smashed out the hike out of the canyon
The taxi ride in the three wheeler from Ica to Huacachina. Amazing that we got the luggage in
The wine tour from Huacachina, back to basics definitely who needs fanciness!! Mind you who’s heard of Peruvian wine?
The sand boarding on the dunes, not the greatest success but definitely fun
The adrenaline pumping dune buggy tours now that was fun
The cerviche at Paracas on the sea front just delicious
The tour of the Isla Balletas just incredible to see that number of birds and sea lions
The tour of the Paracas national park.
The surprise of arriving at Miraflores in Lima and realizing that we had left South America without saying goodbye
The boardwalk and the people watching in the sea front in Miraflores
Going there this year. Are there any authentic experiences or places off the beaten track that you would really recommend?
Hope you have a great time! I am sure you will. Unfortunately we didn’t get too far off the beaten track in Peru, maybe Paracas would be my only suggestion. But otherwise the main sights we visited were all pretty good. If you want to get a bit more off the beaten track I would suggest going to Bolivia.
Thanks. Been to Bolivia but will have a few weeks back there as well. Must go to Uyuni since I missed it due to a blockade last time.