Machu Picchu is one of those things you can't miss, even if you hate crowds and band wagons. It is undoubtedly gorgeous and profound. However, all that 'lost city' stuff sounds like a cheap cliche these days. What is so lost about a shiny train, a bunch of new coaches, international cuisine, inflated tourist trap prices, tactical formations of retired Japanese and millions of North-American kids screaming for mommy? Machu Picchu is a Very Much … [Read more...]
Peru Expedition Part 1 6/20/01 – 7/15/01
Wed. 6/20/01 My sister Patty drove me to the San Luis Obispo airport, as she has done on many previous trips; and I left SLO at 10:36 am, arriving in LAX at 11:45 am. There I joined several other fellow climbers and trekkers (including my son Kevin and his friend Deborah) who had arrived from other cities. Leaving LAX at 2:10 pm, we arrived in Lima, Peru at 12:40 am on 6/21 after an 8.5 hour flight and adjusted our watches for the 2-hour time … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru
Cuzco, often called the "tiled" city is located at about 10,600 feet in the great Andes mountains. While Cuzco certainly has instant name recognition, it is best known as the gateway to Machu Picchu. These ruins are among the world's greatest combination of both the human and the natural world and attract visitors from around the planet. However, travelers should also spend a few days in and around Cuzco. Cuzco, as a result of being the largest … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru – Travel Agencies
Using Travel Agencies can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on how you like to travel and your budget. Depending on the situation and type of trip, using travel agencies are often more expensive than planning and making the trip on your own. However, travel agencies will often save valuable travel time as they already have existing relationships established with guides and local tour operators. They offer pre-arranged tours and … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru – Other Activities
Ruins - purchasing a Boleto Turistico (ticket) provides one-time only admission to any of 16 different tourist attractions in the region including Incan ruins and historical buildings and museums in Cuzco. One of the most popular ruins outside of Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman, is located just above Cuzco. A bloody battle was fought here between the Spanish and the Incas. It is amazing the size of the huge stone walls that surround these ruins. … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru – Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is visually one of the planet's most unique and inspirational sites. Combine its visual beauty with the intriguing story of a "lost city" high in the Andes being "discovered" centuries after it was abandoned has made this site obtain almost a mythical status. One can attempt to experience Machu Picchu through videos, photographs and glowing travel writing, but there is absolutely no substitute to visiting the site in person. … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru – More Info
Money Before reviewing the websites below, a quick word about using money in Peru. It is VERY difficult to spend ANY money that has even the slightest tear in it, regardless of the monetary denomination or which country it originates from. This is primarily true in Cusco; its not quite as bad in the rest of the country. The reason for this is apparently the banks charge a higher percentage to change & process money that has tears in it. … [Read more...]