Cusco
Our group of 16 Cruise Specialists guests met our guide and chief escort, Katty, at the gangway for the short ride to the airport. She would be with us every step of the trip until she saw us safely back to the ship.
At the airport, we were each given a huge, heavy brunch bag filled with multiple snacks and drinks to tide us over until lunch - way more than any of us needed. Most of us chose to donate them to local families waiting for their flights. Their appreciation was evident - it truly was a significant gift for them.
A short one-hour flight brought us to the beautiful city of Cusco, where we split up into two groups with local guides and drivers.
Cusco sits at 11,150 feet above sea level, and flying directly in doesn’t allow for gradual acclimation to the high altitude and low oxygen. A few of our group, myself included, had been taking medication to prevent altitude sickness. Those who hadn’t generally experienced headaches, fatigue, and mild difficulty breathing.
Oxygen was available at the hotel for free and proved very helpful in countering the symptoms. Fortunately, none of our group was seriously affected, although a few opted to skip the afternoon sightseeing to rest before the activities ahead.
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Lunch was at Calle del Medio, a cozy café with wonderful views over the Plaza de Armas. The filling menu included among other things, a creamy potato soup and a rich chocolate dessert, complemented by a tasty local beer.
The afternoon was filled with sightseeing, beginning with the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress, built by the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century. The method of construction, using gigantic stones weighing up to 120 tons, remains a mystery. From there, we walked to an alpaca and llama farm, where we visited with and fed the animals and saw some exquisite examples of wool products crafted from their wool.
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Within the city of Cusco, we visited the Coricancha Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, iconic landmarks that are “must see” parts of any visit to this city.
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Our hotel for two nights was the Palacio del Inka, a 5-star property with endless facilities and a maze-like layout. Beautiful sitting areas throughout and warm décor made it an inviting place to stay. There’s never enough time to fully appreciate a splendid property like this, but we certainly enjoyed its comfort.
Dinner was at the hotel in a private dining room, complete with colorful costumed performers, who danced and sang for us. Then they invited us to join them in dancing, which some of us did. Nothing like 10-minutes of fast dancing in an oxygen-deprived atmosphere!
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The next morning, an extensive buffet breakfast fortified us for the busy day ahead. Ever had corn on the cob for breakfast? That was a first! Peruvians love their potatoes and corn, both of which were showcased at every meal, including breakfast!
Machu Picchu
We were then off on our coaches for a 2-hour ride to the Rio Sagrada Station. There we boarded the elegant Hiram Bingham Train for a just under 3-hour ride along the Urubamba River, snaking our way through the Sacred Valley. Two dining cars and a bar made for a pleasant brunch on the scenic ride. Exiting the train, it is a 25-minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas!
Our group followed one of the standard routes, selected in advance. It is no longer possible to wander on your own among the ruins. A variety of paths are offered to provide something for every taste and ability. Since our group was composed of all different fitness levels, and knowing that a few would perhaps need a slower, more level, and shorter path, private guides were arranged for three of our guests. At 7,972 feet, the altitude here was lower than Cusco’s, so everyone felt better.
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Our guided tour took us through the incredible history and speculation surrounding this unique site. Can I just say wow! It’s just like the pictures but better. Llamas roam freely, routinely crossing paths with visitors. It is a challenging walk, with uneven terrain and lots of steps. But we all made it, without falls or injuries, and so in awe of giving this bucket list item a check mark!
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After the walk, we were rewarded with a stop at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge for a refreshing fruit punch and plate of fancy snacks.
We retraced our steps back down to the train station and were able to enjoy a wonderful dinner on the return train trip. Now that there was no more walking to be done, the open bar and live music provided a great evening of entertainment.
If there was a downside to this journey, it was the 3:30 am wakeup call on day three. We needed to catch an early flight back to Lima to then make the 4-hour bus ride to meet the ship in General San Martin. A highlight of our afternoon was a late lunch stop at the exquisite Marriott Paracas Resort. Tucked far back from the road, it’s easy to miss, but once inside, we found a stunning property with elegant dining and lovely views.
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Arriving back at the ship a minute before all aboard time, we were welcomed home with a champagne greeting from Officers and Staff. We were all tired but thrilled to have shared this experience. Looking forward to a restful Sea Day tomorrow!
Fondly,
Wendy and Steve
Continue Reading:
A Bon Voyage! | Costa Rica & Panama | Ecuador and Northern Peru | Wendy's Adventures in Peru | Steve's Adventure in Machu Picchu | Arica and San Antonio, Chile | Robinson Crusoe & Southern Chile | More Chile & Argentina | Antarctica | Falkland Islands | Montevideo & Punta del Este | Brazil | The Amazon | Salvation Islands | Arriving in Africa | Canary Islands & Morocco | Gibraltar and Barcelona | Spain & Portugal | France, Belgium and The Netherlands | Scotland and Norway | More Norway | Iceland | Greenland | Canada & New England | Voyage Summary
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