Peru And Equador 2008

October 11 - Machu Picchu to Cusco

View of the river from our hotel room

We checked out of our no frills Santuario Hotel overlooking the Urubamba River by 7:15AM and hopped the bus to Machu Picchu. Then some of us waited in a long bano line before we could start our next exploration of Machu Picchu.

John, llamas, Ann and Eddie

Terry approaching the Sun Gate

First we climbed to the guard wati, the highest point of the developed area to enjoy splendid views of the ruins. We were struck by the clever Inca stairs studding the walls on the back side of the mountain. Before we hiked the Inca trail to the Sun Gate, we were cautioned to be back to catch the 11:15 bus. Although we started together we realized our paces would be different so Bob hiked with the fast group and Ann enjoyed at various times hiking with Eddie, some llamas, Veronica and, thankfully, Zoe. By the time we arrived at the Sun Gate most of our group was ready to head back. After photo ops we retraced our hike encouraging those we encountered to keep on hiking so they too could say that they had hiked the Inca Trail. We talked with some hearty souls who had hiked the entire trail - most on the 4 day version - camping along the way accompanied by porters. Bob has expressed a desire to to do same some day.

We all arrived for lunch at Indi Feliz Restaurant Bistro where we enjoyed the best food we have had on the trip. The garlic potato chips were especially memorable.

On the train - Style show

We rode through some rain and we had a charming fashion show on the train trip back to Ollantaytambo. Then we boarded the bus again. Sticky and tired, we piled off the bus in Cusco where pouring rain was just letting up. Showered and refreshed we had Pisco Sours in the lounge before dinner on our own at our Jose Antonio Hotel. Bob tried grilled alpaca while Ann had good pollo stuffed with spinach and peppers. Patty, John, Zoe and Terry regaled us with cycling and hiking adventures-jolly folk. Then we repacked and were in bed by 10.