Richard heading for the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu

The road up the mountain from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu was barely wide enough for one bus - with a cliff on one side and a very steep drop off on the other side (no guard rails).  Yet on the hairpin turns, buses passed each other!  Suzanna declares it was the most frightening ride of her life!

Approaching Machu Picchu from a distance, the mountains in the background resemble the face of an Incan warrior.

Inca sundial at Machu Picchu

City of Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu.  Our hotel is the yellow building.   Note how some poor families live in the space between the two hotels.

Throughout Peru, the trash bins are separated by organic and non-organic.

Many of the restaurants sell guinea pig (a delicacy) and alpaca meals

Dining at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes that was built over the river

Remains of the largest temple of the Incas in Raqchi that was dedicated to the Inca god Wiracocha.   It was built of sundried mud-brick and stone in the 1400’s, before being burned by the Spanish conquistadors. The roof is gone and only the center supporting wall remains.

Suzanna feeding an alpaca at a living museum on the road to Puno

 

Richard and Suzanna stopping for lunch along the road from Cuzco to Puno.  As you can tell we enjoyed the local food.

Note how the bus driver seemed to randomly decide on which side of the road to drive on, when there is no oncoming traffic.

Passing through the town of Juli

Stop at a livestock market near Juli, Peru

Arrival at our hotel in Puno, Peru (on the shore of Lake Titicaca)

Breakfast at our Puno hotel, overlooking Lake Titicaca

Visiting the Uros floating islands in Lake Titicaca

Common transport vehicle in Peru (modified motorcycle)

Blood pressure prescription proved to be inadequate at altitudes of over 13,000 feet.   Richard needed a little oxygen and a local doctor to prescribe supplemental medication.

 

To continue the tour to Bolivia, please click here.