Fly Lima to Cusco
We ( Nancy, Thornton, Ron and I) were met at the Cusco airport by our guide Ayul and preceeded on a city tour and lunch
We ( Nancy, Thornton, Ron and I) were met at the Cusco airport by our guide Ayul and preceeded on a city tour and lunch
A tour of the Sacred Valley on a misty day, then to Ollantaytambo. A walking tour of the village, visiting a typical home, and then the ruins.
Trains to Machu Picchu were cancelled for the day due to the high water of the Urubamba river, so we all crammed into a taxi to go back to Cusco. More cusco sightseeing.
Cusco museums, market, ruins were on the agenda, then a van back to Ollantaytambo and train to Aguas Caliente. checked into the beautiful El Mapi hotel. Nancy, Ron and I went for beer and nachos (wonderfully fresh and hot!) the train ride was beautiful and only 7 people on our car! The river was rough and wild.
Six a.m. train to Machu Picchu to see the sunrise, but alas, it was raining again. The clouds, mist and fog gave the site an other-world feeling. We hiked to the Inca bridge and explored the ancient city. Van back to Cusco with stops for photos and birds. The sun came out!!
We visited the Regional Museum to see the most recently discovered Inca silver, then sat in the park to chat. Ron and I then flew to Lima (after seeing Ayul with his new group in the hotel lobby). We repacked at the apartment, went back to the airport (heavy traffic) and, after delays, finally flew out at 4 am. Missed our connection in Miami, flew to DC's National airport, insisted on an American Airlines taxi voucher (delay was mechanical) to Dulles airport hotel to get our car. Arrived home 9 pm (33 hours of travel!!)