Embarking on the Adventure to Machu Picchu: A Journey from Cusco

Setting Off from Cusco

Today we began our 2 day trip to Machu Picchu, which is where we will be spending Christmas Day.

The scenery on the trip was amazing, the road follows the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We were driving through a valley with the Peruvian Andes on either side of us making an incredible backdrop to our trip.

We had an extra guide for this part of the journey and we visited three of the places our tour company (G Adventures) supports. He again gave lots of interesting information about the area and Incas.

We especially liked his detail on the Day of the Dead and the idea of cemeteries all over South and Central America becoming discos and parties so that living people can be close to their descendants.

A holy viewpoint and G Adventure supported communities

Our next stop was at a weaving co-operative, similar to the Mayan place we visited but in the mountains. The people were great and the things they were making beautiful. Despite the fullness of our cases and a no more purchases ruling, we now have a new scarf, snood, and pair of gloves!

The second shopping stop was at a pottery place, again really interesting and some fantastic items to buy but we limited ourselves to a fridge magnet!

We stopped for lunch at a restaurant in the mountains. They had brilliant gardens with lots of fruit, herbs and veg growing. The dinner was a mini taster menu of various Peruvian dishes and all really nice. We really liked the stuffed pepper sitting in what looked like a Yorkshire pudding but was actually fried mash potato.. We were told it is run by the wives of the porters who work for G adventures. The porters are away on the hills and this is aimed to provide additional income for the families. It was very popular when we visited so imagine a success.

Ollantaytambo

We then finished our journey to Ollantaytambo where we are staying tonight. Some scary driving yet again but think we are starting to get used to it. The hotel is absolutely fine but the views of the mountains from our room amazing. The town is one of the most Sacred Inca towns and great to walk round.