Peru 2018! Sacred Valley

Before we launched into our hike we visited the sacred valley of Peru. We visited a local heritage site where we learned about the Quechuan peoples. We were greeted with tea, a dance, and given local outfits to wear.

We took some fun group photos.

We made some alpaca friends. They just wanted to eat.

We were then lead out to help with the harvest.

At lunch we had a very tasty vegetarian meal made with local foods.

We had discussions about how yarn is colored before being woven into beautiful goods such as rugs and scarves.

The rest of our time we explored the site.

Peru 2018! Cusco

My time in Cusco was short. We had one day of sight seeing before we went off to the Sacred Valley. I did return to Cusco after my inca trail hike (more later) but I was too sick to complete my sightseeing. Again, Cusco is another town I must visit once more. There were so many things I missed. I did enjoy my one long day there.

We started with a little walking tour and stop for a local snack.

Aji de Gallina Empanadas (Chicken)

We visited the narrow streets, some with example of Inca masonry. We were told how advanced the methods were for their time, made to withstand earthquakes. Also pointed out were the animal patterns hidden in the brick layout.

We visited a food market. You can tell from my past posts that I was in heaven. I was able to buy some dried fruit snacks for my upcoming hike but I really wish I had time to purchase more food stuff to take home.

Cusco is a beautiful city.

One of the more “touristy” things we did was visit a chocolate place. We made our own hot chocolate.

Half our tour group snuck in a dinner at a local restaurant. I tried alpaca meat and decided I wasn’t a fan.

Alpaca brichera

It was a nice dinner but it made us late for our Inca trail preparation meeting. The meeting is where I got this map, and questioned what I was getting myself into.

Some from the tour went out that night. I was exhausted and retired early. I wanted to save all I had for the Inca trail – I had a feeling I was going to need all the energy I could save up!

Peru 2018! Flying into Cusco

Our tour guide made sure we got window seats to get this marvelous view coming into Cusco.

Peru 2018! Lima

My visit to Lima was very brief and I spent most of my time in Miraflores. During my trip to Peru I let my tour company do all the logistics for my Lima sightseeing and therefore only had a little time to wander around historic sights. It seemed like there was more to see so I am due a trip back sometime.

Basílica y Convento de San Francisco

The Basílica y Convento de San Francisco had an amazing collection of old books that unfortunately were not well cared for. There is a huge room full of rotting books. I wanted to cry.
Other than the rotting books, I enjoyed my short visit to Lima.

Peru 2018! Miraflores

Travelers arriving in Peru will probably fly into Lima and if they are lucky they get a stay in posh Miraflores.

Miraflores is a relatively safe part of the city Lima. Located by the water, you will be amazed at the steep cliffs that lead down to the ocean. I would assume it gets pretty sunny and warm there due to its location but maybe because I was there off season there was a long lasting morning fog the few days I was there. The afternoons were perfect though.

My hotel was a short walk to this fancy outdoor mall with water views. I didn’t go shopping but I did eat breakfast there one morning.

Miraflores itself doesn’t take that long to explore by foot. There are plenty of good ceviche opportunities to take advantage of as well. I also enjoyed my journey of pisco sours.