This day was a free day until 2:00 and we all decided we wanted to go back up the hill to M-P.
Will and Brent had passes to go up to Huayna Picchu and please note that the queue to get on the trail can take up to an hour to get through. Another check of the passport.
Nancy and I thoroughly enjoyed some free time on the mountain and looked for remote places to just sit and BE STILL! We could have really stayed several more days just to experience the atmosphere of the mountain. On the back side of the ruins, we watched two falcons work the hillside for dinner.
Around 2 PM we headed out, turning and giving one last look to this magical place. Boarded the train for the ride back to Cusco and we were entertained by a fashion show of local products. We then transferred over to a bus for the last half of the trip. It was night when we arrived back in Cusco, weary from the ride back, but it did give us time to absorb what we had just seen.
Supper that night in Cusco at a little restaurant called Marcelo's about a block from the hotel. Again, the food was just very good value.
Concerns: By this time, we were completely at ease in this country. Enjoying the scenery, weather, and mostly the people.
Tidbit: Every time we asked a street vendor who made their product, they always answered their family, even though they were obviously selling a mass produced item. I guess selling techniques wherever you are in the world might stretch the truth a little.
Altitude: Coming back up to Cusco at 12,000, we had no problem this day.
Highs: Sitting with my lovely wife of 30 years on a spectacular little terrace on the hillside of M-P while our two sons were happily climbing rocks and exploring Huayna Picchu !!!!
Lows: Maybe the last leg of the bus ride back to Cusco, but that would be real picky. Just sad we had to leave Agua Calientes.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.