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My First South American Adventure \ Photos

Departing Los Angeles and packing light.
Hotel La Hacienda, centrally located in the Miraflores district, and our base during our stay in Lima.
Us enjoying the city life after a long overnight flight.
Lima views
Exploring the surf scene in Lima.
Huaca Pucllana archaeological site - right downtown Lima
Huaca Pucllana archaeological site - right downtown Lima
Huaca Pucllana archaeological site - right downtown Lima
Lars' first pisco sour of the trip...
During one of our days in Lima we went on a gastronomy bike tour of the Barranco district and our guide Manuel was fantastic. We biked around and ate Peruvian dishes at several restaurants in the neighborhood and ended with at a delicious brewery.
Our first stop during the gastronomy bike tour with our guide.
One of the dishes served up during our bike tour - cuasa, which is a mashed potato with tuna/chicken salad, and various other toppings.
Another dish served up during our bike tour - this is a Peruvian take on ceviche.
And another dish from the bike tour - lomo saltado - my absolute favorite meal!
The last stop on our gastronomy tour at the brewery.
Enjoying "Lima the Gray"
We ventured deeper into Central Lima and visited the Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima and the catabombs underneath - highly recommend it if you're in Lima.
Exploring true downtown Lima
More pisco sours...
We decided to take advantage of the food scene in Lima to the fullest and made reservations 60 days in advance at Maido. This was their welcome dish.
Another dish from Maido - sea scallops with a creamed sea urchin sauce on top.
Another dish from Maido - fried guinea pig, or cuy.
We ended up going to the Magic Water Circuit in Lima - a large park with 13 cybernetic fountains that are supported by the latest technology, where music, water, sound and laser light are mixed.
Magic Water Circuit
Magic Water Circuit
Magic Water Circuit
After the Magic Water Circuit we stopped to enjoy some street side corn. Look at the size of these kernels!
We were lucky to see the sun for 1.5 days while we were there.
Enjoying our stroll through the Barranco district.
Enjoying our stroll through the Barranco district.
We made it to Cusco and took part in the afternoon walking tour with our guide Edwin. He took us up to Saqsaywaman and this is a site I recommend everyone visit in the area.
Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman - this rock is supposedly 120 tons and was brought from 40 kms away.
Saqsaywaman
The view from Saqsaywaman of Cusco.
The central plaza in downtown Cusco with our guide Edwin.
A dance performance we attended in Cusco.
The next morning we woke up around 3:30AM to get an early start up to Rainbow Mountain. It is located at 17,000 feet and Lars was not feeling so great at this high elevation.
The view from Rainbow Mountain.
Our emergency donkey just in case we needed anything.
Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain
The hike to the Red Valley.
Edwin, our guide, taking in the views of the Red Valley.
Red Valley
Red Valley did not disappoint - look at those smiles!
Red Valley
The down from the Red Valley.
By the time we ended our hike to Red Valley, this is how many people were on the vista looking towards Rainbow Mountain. It was packed!
Day 1 of the Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure - Our group during at the archaeological site of Chinchero.
Moray Inca agricultural site
Moray Inca agricultural site
Moray Inca agricultural site
Moras Salt Mines - one of most favorite spots we stopped throughout this trip.
Moras Salt Mines
This picture barely does it justice for how large this site truly is - there are over 5,000 ponds!
Lamay Lodge - our home for the next two days.
Look what was waiting for us outside of our bedroom...
This is Dominga and she is the Lamay Lodge's llama and is very affectionate.
Lars kind of looks like Dominga.
The sunrise from Lamay Lodge - not a bad view to wake up to on vacation.
Day 2 of the Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure - We hiked from Amaru to Viacha and this was a view from the top of the hillside we climbed.
Us enjoying a vista.
Hiking
Our emergency donkey and guide who carried water and a first aid kit throughout our hike.
We stopped at the local community of Viacha halfway through our hike to learn from a local family about their local farming practices/traditions and for a delicious home-cooked meal.
Lars trying out the tools they use to farm.
Our lunch buffet
After lunch we continued our hike from Viacha down to Pisaq and this was the view of the archaeological site from the hike.
Pisaq
Pisaq's tight tunnel spaces
Pisaq
Day 3 of the Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure - We left Lamay and traveled to the small town of Choquecancha. Here a local woman named Maria, gave us a demonstration on how they dye wools for their textiles.
A local woman in Choquecancha weaving a piece of art.
The women of Choquecancha
Our group posing with the ladies of the village.
The view from our room at the Huacahuasi Lodge - and yes, that's a hot tub just for us.
Day 4 of the Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure - We explored the hillsides around the village.
Day 4's explorations
Day 4's explorations
Day 4's explorations
We finished up our hiking activity earlier than expected and took part in the cooking class at the Huacahuasi Lodge.
Doesn't the hairnet look really great on me?
Day 5 of the Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure - Today we explored the archaeological site of Pumamarka, where there were some llamas and alpacas just hanging out.
After exploring Pumamarka and then enjoying a hike down to the town of Ollantaytambo we visited the local brewery with our group.
Day 6 of the Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure - Today we woke up early to hike up to the Pinkuyllana site right above the town of Ollantaytambo. It was a steep hike!
The Pinkuyllana site
Lars enjoying the Ollantaytambo archaeological site - safely in the shade.
In the early afternoon we took the train to Aguas Calientes and we were lucky enough to get upgraded to the first class train on the Inca Rail.
Enjoying those First Class carriage views
The train view up to Aguas Calientes
Life doesn't suck!
After a delicious (and complimentary lunch) we headed up to the lounge train car for some cocktails and fresh air.
Partying in the lounge car.
Day 7 of the Sacred Valley & Lares Adventure - the culmination of our entire trip - Machu Picchu! It was fascinating, but very crowded.
The view with Huanya Picchu in the background.
The view was smokey from all of the farmers burning their fields, but it wasn't as terrible as Montana tends to be every other summer.
Adios Machu Picchu! Time to make the long, three day journey back to Missoula...
My First South American Adventure

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