Peru: Day 3 - Machu Piccu & Cusco

 At first, I didn't see the point in seeing Machu Picchu twice. But as we ascend into the low clouds, I see why they plan a second day, just in case. Our sunny day yesterday was an anomaly. Today was so foggy we could hardly see anything, and Circuit 2 provides even a higher vantage point to see the grounds. 

Thankfully after an hour, the fog lifted and we were able to enjoy a different view of this magnificent World Wonder.

We completed our circuit, and we took the bus back into Machu Picchu Pueblo. We had lunch in a hole-in-the-wall spot and it was one of my favorite meals we had so far! 

We had quite a bit of time to kill before our train ride back to Ollantaytambo, so we walked over a mile to this Butterfly Garden and paid $5 each to listen to a presentation entirely in Spanish. With context clues, I was pleased with how much Max and I understood the tour. 

When then found a rooftop bar to have a Pisco Sour and relax for a while before our train arrived.

It was a long journey back by train and then by car, but we finally made it to bed. We were going to get up SUPER early, AGAIN! So we fell into bed after a subpar hotel dinner and fell promptly asleep.

Peru: Day 2 - Machu Piccu & Aguas Calientes

 Bright and early, we wake! Today is day 1 of 2 that we will get to ascend into Machu Piccu. We hastily eat breakfast at the hotel and pack only our backpacks for the two-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes. From there, we are met with another guide who takes our bags to our hotel for us and walks us to the bus that we will take to get into Machu Piccu.

There is something so surreal about seeing this place in person. 

We were on a private tour on Circuit 1 of Machu Piccu, which apparently is the best circuit. Tomorrow we had Circuit 2, which our guide said is the second best! So thank you travel agent 😀

It actually got so hot here during the day that I got sunburned. 

We then went back into the town of Aguas Calientes or also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. We found a spot for lunch and Max indulges in his first (of many!) Pisco Sour of the trip.

Next, we had a subpar dinner at our hotel. Lesson learned! The food here is SO good, so skip the hotel. 

Super early morning tomorrow, so we turned in to try to get some sleep. Our tickets for Machu Picchu were for 8am, and our guide said to be at the bus station at least 90 minutes early. Night night xx

Peru: Day 1 - Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo

 Max and I want to see all 7 Manmade Wonders of the World by 2031 (our ten-year wedding anniversary). We have seen the Coloseaum together in 2022 and were contemplating what trip we'd like to do next. We decided to see Machu Piccu! 

Thus this trip to Peru was born. Compared to France, this was haphazard. Max had been working nights for almost a year. I started a new job when we decided to do this trip. We bought our plane tickets and promptly forgot about the entire thing until about 6 weeks before the trip. We both LOVE to plan and research. We conceded that neither of us had the time to do this trip justice. Thank goodness Tina had a travel agent in her back pocket! 

So off we go on a new adventure with a fully-planned itinerary! Something new for us, indeed! I could get used to the private transportation :)

The first stop was Sacred Valley! We stopped at a llama and alpaca sanctuary. We learned about the protected species called vicuñas and how they sheered these gentle creatures to make clothing. I did buy a shawl here because I did not realize how chilly it was at this altitude of 9,000 ft above sea level. I literally used it every day of the trip until we got to Lima. 

We made a few little stops for views.

We had lunch by the Urubamba River. Damni, our guide, cautioned us to not eat too much or drink alcohol because he said it can be hard for our stomachs to digest at this altitude. Something I had not previously thought of! Max broke the alcohol rule right away 😂

And finally, we arrived at Ollantaytambo! This is when I realized how winded I was with the altitude. It was amazing to climb and learn the history of this place from, Damni -- who by the way, would be our guide for today and three days in Cusco. 

We made another small stop at a Museo Vivo, which was fine, but something we wouldn't have chosen to do. So part of the 'cons' of a fully-planned trip by someone other than ourselves.

We stayed at a splendid Sonesta and had dinner onsite. It was delicious and we both this time broke the alcohol rule hehe.

Buenas noches xx