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              Travel Blog
             512.348.7208

Peru-Lima, Machu Picchu and Cusco

12/10/2018

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Peru is rich in history, cultural traditions, and archaeological sites. Peru is located in the western and central part of South America. It is the third largest country in South America and one of the 20 largest countries in the world. The country has 3 main regions according to the traditional method of dividing the country by altitude: coast, mountains and jungle.  It is easy to travel to from Austin, TX.

When traveling to Peru you do need to come into Lima 
"City of Kings" to get acclimated to the altitude at least for one night. You are encouraged to chew coca leaves when you pick up your bags.  There is also coca candy that is recommended to use as well. We had the pleasure of exploring Lima. Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the central coastal part of the country overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  We walked down to their shopping mall and beach area where many love to surf. Peru is known for surfing.  Picture by Tina Valdez
Picture
While visiting the main square (Plaza Mayor) where the Government Palace, City Hall and Archiepiscopal Palace are located there was a ceremony going on honoring the military at the Cathedral. They had many different branches of military being honored.
​Pictures by Tina Valdez
Cathedral in Lima honoring military
Cathedral in Lima honoring military
Cathedral in Lima honoring military
If you like to shop there is an Indian Market that you should check out.  There are some great items to bring back with to Austin such as alpaca sweaters, purses, scarfs, leather items, wood items made from olive trees, local artists, plus much more.
Pictures by Tina Valdez
Items in Indian Market in Lima, Peru
Leather items at Indian Market in Lima, Peru
Water color paintings in Indian Market in Lima, Peru
Wood Items made from Olive trees in Lima, Peru
Our next stop was to the Sacred Valley.  We visited the indigenous market of Pisac. The village's old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings. Here natives come to town to exchange or buy products. In the 1st picture below you can see the big stones that are angled at the door.  There is no mortar holding them together.  They are carved to interlock with each other and be able to withstand earthquakes. The Inca moved them from the quarry to the location they are in now.  The 2nd picture is the water coming down from the Andes mountains for folks to use. The 3rd picture are buildings on the side of the mountain where the Incas used to store their crops to keep them cool and away from the sun.  Pictures by Tina Valdez
Inca Stone Work in Pisac
Water from the Andes Mountains in Pisac
Inca Buildings on side of mountain to store food from the heat.
We hiked 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.  Mt. Bonnell in Austin is similar if you want to experience something close to home.
​Pictures by Tina Valdez
Ollantaytambo ruins
Map of the Ollantaytambo ruins
Stones of the Ollantaytambo ruins
Large stones at the Ollantaytambo ruins
Ollantaytambo ruins
Our next adventure was to Machu Picchu "The Lost City of the Inkas."  We took the Vista dome  train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.  We saw beautiful views of the Urubamba River and snow cpped Andean mountain range.
Vist Dome Peru Train to Machu Picchu
Inside the Peru Train to Machu Picchu
Andes Mountain
Urubamba River
Machu Picchu is one of the most energetic and spiritual places in the Inca civilization. Temples, palaces, towers and staircases are built into the side of the mountain.  Huayna Picchu  is 2,693 metres (8,835 ft) above sea level, or about 260 metres (850 ft) higher than Machu Picchu (Oldest and Sun Gate).  We had the pleasure to experience hiking to the top of Huayna Picchu.  It is 1, 410 steps to the top.  It was steep!  This was a big accomplishment down in the books.
​Pictures by Tina Valdez

Machu Picchu
Views from Huayna Picchu looking over the ruins
On top of Huayna Picchu
Steps to Huayna Picchu
Finishing the hike of Huayna Picchu.
Our next stop was to Cusco. It is a city in the Peruvian Andes, where it once was the capital of the Inca Empire, and is now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Plaza de Armas is the central square in the old city, with arcades, carved wooden balconies and Incan wall ruins. The baroque Santo Domingo Convent was built on top of the Incan Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), and has archaeological remains of Inca stonework. During the Inca period the stones were covered with gold. The cathedral is a real piece of art that holds hundreds of paintings. Spaniards built on top of the Inca stones and tried to destory the work the Inca's did. 
Santo Domingo Cathedral
Santo Domingo Cathedral
Inside Santo Domingo Cathedral
Inca stones
Stone Pieces (Incan Epoch- XIV-XV)-These pieces of Andesite, Diorite and Limestone are some architectural elements found in this complex. They were used in the construction of walls, water, canals, and ceremonial niches. These pieces demonstrate the technology and quality of the workmanship known to the Tawantinsuyo stone workers.
Incan Epoch Stone Pieces used in the construction of walls, water, canals, and ceremonial niches.
Incan Epoch Stone Pieces used in the construction of walls, water, canals, and ceremonial niches.
Incan Epoch Stone Pieces used in the construction of walls, water, canals, and ceremonial niches.
We visited the Historical Center of Cusco called Sacsayhuaman. They are still uncovering many stone formations in the area.  It is an Inca complex surrounded by walls that are made by fitting stones tightly together without any mortar.  The largets stone is 128 tons.  These are massive stones that the Incas put together.
Historical Center of Cusco called Sacsayhuaman
Historical Center of Cusco called Sacsayhuaman
Historical Center of Cusco called Sacsayhuaman
Historical Center of Cusco called Sacsayhuaman with the 128 ton stone
Our next stop was to check some local textile work at Tectile Sulca.  This is were you will find some great baby alpaca items.  Baby alapca is soft and cool to touch and will maintain your body temperature once you put the item on.  Their products are made with the material, instruments and in the same way that they are made by their culture ancestors. Here is a lady sharing the weaving process. There are two types of alpacas.  One is long hair and the other is short haired.

​Here are some samples of the beautiful work they have. They will dye the alpaca wool the colors they want.  It can take 6 to 8 months to finish a piece or longer. There are sweaters, pillows, table mats, blankets plus more that you can bring back to Austin with you.  Pictures by Tina Valdez
Baby Alpaca pilows
Baby Alpaca pilows
wall hanging made of Baby Alpaca
Pillow made of Baby Alpaca
baby alpaca sweaters
Wall hanging made of baby alpaca
Our next treat was visiting and having lunch with a local family. Marco and Adi have a beautiful home decorated with a yard full of gorgeous flowers. The food was fabulous!  We enjoyed avacado salad, pasta, potatoe fries, quinoa tortillas, large corn on the cob, beef stew, and vegetables. They made us feel so welcomed. Adi sings opera and shared a song with us. Marco shared his little village he had built on the property.  It was adorable. It was a joy to spend some time with them.
Another jewel we got to visit was a local silver shop.  They had some wonderful jewerly pieces to pick from.  There were rings, bracelets, pendants, ear rings and more to shop around through. Here are some of the stones and shells they work with. Great gifts to bring home to loved ones in Austin, TX.
Picture
Cusco has two markets and plenty of shops for you to enjoy. We stopped in at the San Pedro Market to find tons of fresh fruit, homemade breads, vegetables, meats, nuts and more much like the farmers markets we have in Austin.  Guinea pigs are a popular source of meat for Peruvians. 
Dried fruit and vegatables in the San Pedro Market in Cusco
Sweet Bread in San Pedro Market in Cusco
Meat in San Pedro Market in Cusco
Sausage in San Pedro Market in Cusco
Guinea pigs a Peruvian favorite in San Pedro Market in Cusco
Fresh produce in San Pedro Market in Cusco
Our adventure in Peru was a great experience. I would recommend it. Is Machu Picchu or the painted mountain on your travel list? #ExperienceTravelin can help you with your trip to #Peru. We are a travel agency near Austin,TX.
 Start planning your next dream vacation today!
Call 512.355.1817 or complete this form and we will be in touch.

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    I love to travel and explore the world. My goal is to help others actually experience their desired destination(s) whether they are traveling solo or as a group.  The world has so much to offer.
    ​ “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

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