From Cusco we were picked up by our prearranged driver and taken on a tour along the way to the Sacred Valley. Honestly I had no idea what was on the schedule as Lanette had set this up. It was fantastic!
After an impressive climb up and then down a mountain we were out of Cusco and on our way. The views along the way were stunning, as one might expect from the Andes mountains.
Our tour took us to the ruins and textile town of Chinchero:
Ancient Incan farming laboratory of Morey:
Salineras de Maras:
And then on to Ollantaytambo where we are booked for next 2 nights. It seems to be a bit overrun by us trekkers and tourists on the way to Matchu Pichu. Quite a bit of traffic for the tiny cobbled streets and no less than 8 pizza joints! Still beautiful and unique with the water running through town and the dramatic ruins on the hills around us.
Official description:Ollantaytambo is a village in the Sacred Valley of south Peru, set on the Urubamba River amid snow-capped mountains. It's known for the Ollantaytambo ruins, a massive Inca fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside. Major sites within the complex include the huge Sun Temple and the Princess Baths fountain. The village's old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings.
Yes we climbed to the top of the temple, quite the cardio challenge when hanging out at over 9000 feet elevation!
PunkuPunku site of an old bridge (1 pic above)
Ancient Inca grainaries on the Cliffside opposite (below)
Snow capped Andes view from top of Ollantaytambo ruins.
Tonight we have reservations at El Albergue by the train station. Heard it was good..thanks Ilona. We got brave and tried the cui (guinea pig) I tried alpaca..it was delicious.
I'm planning to take one of their motor-taxi (aka Tuk-tuk) from dinner tonight! Took one there and walked back instead.
Tomorrow we train out to Aguas Calientes right below Machu Pichu.
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