Tourist boats waiting to leave the portToday is a day for Cusco. What a gorgeous city!
We met up with our guide, Juan Barrios, and the rest of our group and headed out on the town.
Slowly but surely we headed up the hill to sacsayhuaman, some ruins overlooking Cusco. Massive stone, massive walls, but they are seamless. It is an unfinished ruin and what it was meant for is really unknown. Fort? Weigh station along the inca trail? Alien landing zone?
We wander the hills above Cusco, and just getting a taste for Inca ruins. I just wanted a taste of some Cuy (guinea pig), on our way back to town we stopped for lunch and I had to do it. I know my childhood pet is rolling in his little grave, I had to try Cuy. I must say, its not bad, the presentation is better than the taste. A bit greasy and yes, tastes like chicken.
Back at the Plaza de Armas we visited Koricancha and a gorgeous cathedral with some wonderful religious art. It was very interesting to see the difference in style from European religious art. Later in the evening we when to the cultural center to watch some dancers showing the difference in Peruvian dances. We ended the day in great American fashion... beer and pizza (surprisingly good for Peru)!
We've used Adventure Life for several trips in the past and have always been very pleased with them. The staff is personable and professional at the same time. Erin put this trip together for us in just a few days, and it has everything we were looking for! I recommend them without hesitation.
benn
3 weeks ago
I served as the person responsible for planning a trip to Galapagos and Machu Picchu for a group of 14 people. Jane with Adventure Life was very helpful throughout the process. Making suggestions, offering insight, and in the end helped me overhaul an initial plan into something even better. Also, Jane makes all the plans including the flights within and between Peru and Ecuador. Thanks to her this is going to be a stress-free adventure. After making the final decision about the trip, Jane gathered the contact information for all the travelers and sent out the details to each traveler individually with links to pay deposits, upload passport info, and personal preferences. She also ensured a group email was sent out to the entire group welcoming us to the trip preparation process. Our trip is a year from now and we are excited to make this once in a life time trek. I am happy to have organized things through Adventure Life. However, two small issues came up that were a little off putting. First, Adventure Life adds $50 per person to the cost for each traveler as a donation to a Galapagos conservation fund. I think this should he offered as something that can be added at each traveler’s discretion. Instead, it is automatically added, and each person must ask to have it removed if they do not want it included. Second, although the trip deposit may be paid with a credit card without incurring an additional fee, the balance must be paid in another way to avoid a 3% credit card fee. Maybe this is standard with all travel agencies. In the end I would definitely go through Adventure Life for the next big trip.
Brenda Nielsen
1 month ago
I think it was very helpful that Franny and I spoke on the phone. I think she had a better idea of what we were looking for, and she planned a great itinerary for us!
Elizabeth
2 months ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
3 months ago
Easy.
Great work on the follow up and details by Waru.