A splendid travel to Peru with travels and adventures all over the world

In 'collective imagination Peru hiding something magical, something mysterious, all of us sooner or later we have dreamed or wanted to visit this country. Peru is an ancient land, a perfect mosaic, a mosaic formed by tradition, history, culture, nature and folklore ... Peru is a headache for science and for the spin doctors ...... the Nazca lines, the city of Machu Picchu archaeological mysteries unexplained ..... Peru is desert and sea collide, embrace, love and hate at the same time .... Peru are the Andes, the backbone of this country .... Peru are the wrinkles of the people, who tries to smile with dignity to a life in most cases in hardship and poverty ..... Peru is the force of flight of the Condor, which rise and elegantly powerful roar through canyons ..... Peru is something far ....... that has never been so close!

 

Flying to Lima passing from Atlanta

I confess that this time the feeling is completely different, for personal reasons first solo trip, and I rely on this occasion to note travel agency "Travels and Adventures in the World." My imagination runs from one side to another and see the majestic Andes, many smiling children running, markets, absolute poverty .... my heart but this time it is not clear .... let myself be carried by so .....
Deciding to take a trip on Friday 17 is perhaps unconscious, but not being superstitious I take full responsibility for my choice. I greet the legendary Hugh Beddu (there is about a fan club on facebook ... iscrivetevi! And Valmontone take the train to Roma Termini station in the morning and the ticket to Fiumicino (dearest € 11,00 for 30 minutes travel , a real theft)! The train leaves on time and the appointment with the coordinator delviaggio, that Nicholas is at 07:40 at Terminal C will fly with the U.S. company Delta Airlines, departing at 10:40 with a short stopover in Atlanta and continued to Lima. Arrival at the Peruvian capital to 2:40 local, or 04:40 am in Italy .... genuine killed! The title of the trip? "Peru brief, I would add short but intense! All ' Airport know the rest of the group we are 10 including the coordinator, a couple of Varese, Tuscany 5, a boy of Perugia and I only represent the central and southern Italian! arrive at check-in and now there is the first bad news, the Delta flight 821 will depart late and inevitably lose the connection to Lima! good start! arrive in Atlanta at 18:00, the flight to Lima has already started and after a series of adventures, with some incavolatura Americans too bureaucratic employees of Delta, we hijacked on the same flight at the same time, the next day. To sleep, Delta brings us to agreement Days Inn motel to a classic American plan, style is not a country for old men "to price of $ 59.00 for a double ... but how do you charge? The fault is yours and you pay us? We respond that the delay was due to air traffic and not their fault ... blame is never of these big companies ... but to us who we think? We pay $ 59 in two ... and we need to do? The room to share with Francis, a boy of Perugia (obviously twin beds .... very far). In the evening we go out and go to a place nearby called Joe's Restaurant, nice pub-American restaurant, where most of the group eats hamburgers and cola, with regard to the Americans a small coke is almost a liter, I Instead I go on the Steak Salad, mega-salad, steak and a bud at the end ... I pay USD 17.00. We're tired, leave some messages on Facebook and collapsed in bed, but at 04:00, the fault zone are already Francis is awake and playing with the phone .... long chat and descend to the lobby where you can have breakfast with cereal, milk, apples and toast with butter and jam (breakfast included).

Atlanta and then Lima

Meet at 8:25 for a short time in Atlanta. The Shuttle brings us to the hotel dela station meter, here called Martha. I confess I feel a certain excitement in being able to understand how to make the ticket. Downtown Atlanta is only 4 stops from the day pass costs USD 4.00. The exit is called Five Points and we are catapulted into the American metropolis, which greets us with its futuristic skyscrapers .... We are smiling and a little disturbed, there's nothing to do, we all are born and grow up with the myth American. Patrolling the downtown Atlanta, the city very clean, with modern buildings but also very green ..... Arrivamo center where we expect a simple and clean park, surrounded by the few attractions of this modern city. The group here is divided, the majority opts for the aquarium (USD 27.00), Francis and I decide instead to the Museum of Coca Cola (USD 15.00), attraction to retrace the steps of this unique drink, by his Atlanta inventor of the present day, with lots of footage in 4D, where to find the secret formula of Coca Cola it turns into a bubble and enter into a can for a trip around the world will be .... also an "American" but I enjoyed it so much! We left the museum, are 11.30, the day is beautiful and the rest of the group is still in the aquarium decided to visit the offices of CNN, famous American broadcaster information (USD 13.00). The guide takes us in different offices and backstage news .... certainly worth a visit and typically American (all in English). With the rest of the group we give the appointment to 13:45 Metro Station Five Points ... Francis and I before going to devour a mega-salad head and believe me when I say Mega ...... then we meet others go to the airport. Fingers crossed and exult with joy, the plane leaves on time and even put us in Business Class, where we cuddled and served beautifully. We drink champagne, eat well, I crab, strawberries, cheese, all delicious. Meantime, the group grew ever stronger, laughing and joking on the plane to suddenly collapse in a sweet and "cuddled nap ".... But we're almost there! It comes with 10 minutes early. Hurry various customs formalities, leave and Hugh, the driver of Adventure Travel World awaits us in the airport waiting room with him and go by bus. We also know Mark and Sonia (the couple from Milan to Varese game). Immagazzianre to begin the first images of Lima, decadent metropolis, gray welcomes us with a light rain. We arrive Hostal Bonbini discreet, clean but very noisy because the windows overlook a busy street and the Peruvians have a habit of playing the horn like mad .... then a guy who screams the name of Juan Juan Juan has a hammer in my temples .... in short, not even close eye on tonight!

Finally Peru: Ballestas islands, Huacachina dunes, Nazca

Woke up at 04:30 and departure for the Ballestas Islands, the road from Lima is wonderful, the wild ocean and mountains right and left the desert, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, ruined by the leaden sky and a slight but annoying rain. Embarcadero Pisco arrive promptly at 08:45 and we embark on the Ballestas Islands, small rocky tere constantly struggling against the forces of the sea ... these islands, also known as the Galapagos Islands of the poor, are characterized by millions of birds flying everywhere, we see at once the dolphins who come from time on our boat, then sea lions and other birds. Before Ariva skirt the Candelabra, a design engraved on the hills of the coast, unfortunately without the shine of the sun we can not see it in all its beauty! The Ballestas Islands are an almost magical place, including water spray, rocks, blue sea shoot repeatedly, the place is magical, untouched, a paradise ... beautiful! The cost of the excursion is $ 13.00. We return to the mainland, we do a tour of the waterfront, where there are restaurants, bars and especially so many pelicans with their beaks funny look at us ... we are curious intruders, you're right! At 11:00 o'clock we share with the van in the direction of Huacachina, a small oasis characterized by massive sand dunes. The landscape is amazing to think that an hour's journey goes from the ocean to the desert is something amazing, like being in the heart of the Sahara, the landscape is extraordinary, rent of June Boogie (USD 15.00) and start to share with all beer in the dunes, you scream, laugh out loud on the slopes, the adrenaline is high, the driver called Jesus soride and increasing, the rate of speed ... it is like a roller coaster, but amidst a beautiful scenery .... We stop to take pictures and film this natural masterpiece. Four group, or I, Francis, Serena and Gregory, surf boards and take of from the top of some dunes throw us face down below .... seems to be a train slowly picks up speed ... fantastic , not to be missed! We USD 5.00 tip to Jesus and those who choose a sandwich lunch there, and those who fast for me only fruit salad ... we need to stay light, you go to Nazca with a flight to see the mysterious and famous lines! ! After about 2 hours away, along a very picturesque, a road that cuts through the mountains in an arid lunar landscape and come to birth, which is presented to us as a town we all decrepit and dirty ... 'airport and take a ceesna for all 10 members of the group (U.S. $ 67.00 each). Never dominant and with a great spirit of adventure but with a slight worry and fear to take off once the Nazca lines. These lines extend over an area of 500 sq km and is one of the archaeological mysteries of the world, because they were made? There are many theories but none is really convincing .... ... especially as have been made?? From despite several logistical problems I can take some pictures and Afre mine forever 's "astronaut" and "Hummingbird." Two of the girls feel bad, who's worse is Claudia (the crazy group), 30 minute flight actually put a strain on our bodies, time aircraft are on the right and left so sudden, every little vacuum is a hammer blow in the stomach .... well I can stand up to almost the end, then I start to sweat and hope to get there as soon as possible to rest your feet on the ground .... The landing was perfect and around 17:00 arrive at the hotel Nido del Condor, a simple structure, complete with pool and garden, the rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. I do a good shower and meet for dinner is 19:30. We leave on time and go to the restaurant La Taberna, characterized by small local station written on the walls left by visitors. We pay USD 8.00 for rice with vegetables, grilled chicken and fries. After dinner we take a brief tour through the center of Nasca, we come to the Plaza de Armas, a place that offers very little. It's cold and tired decidamo returning to the hotel. Tomorrow is another day ....

Chauchilla cemetery, Sacaco, Arequipa

The alarm clock is at 6:20, I can finally sleep, the effect zone is exceeded, do a good breakfast with orange juice, milk, toast with butter and jam and the coach is already 07:00 am, today we face a long day of travel. You go to Arequipa. Around 08:00 we stop at the cemetery Chauchilla (USD 1.5), a place that holds bones, skulls and mummies. The landscape is fantastic, we are in a magical zone, sand, stones, pebbles for miles and miles, all surrounded by mountains, the silence is absolute ..... thrilling! Mummies are interesting and gruesome mask and a little suggestion, you make jokes and laugh out loud .... We are back on the bus and in about an hour to arrive Sacaco, where making a direction in the middle of a unpaved road to a small museum which houses the fossil remains of a whale (USD 1.50). On arrival there four dogs barking and then run away scared just getting off, a smiling young woman opens the museum, which despite small is beautiful and special. Here too, the landscape is surreal ... we are practically in the middle of anything ... it is difficult to explain in Italy there is no place like .... km of solitude and silence, broken only by our words and the noise of our steps ..... We left the museum and we walk for a while along the ground lost, we visit outside the house keeper who has beautiful chubby rabbit ... yum yum! Broken down bus and skirt the Pacific Ocean to the right and left the desert and mountains, Peru offers exceptional views ... take pictures of repetition and around 11:30 we stop at Chala, small and dilapidated fishing village exchange rate for dollars in G and can not change the euro because the euro adibitia person is gone! Basically take a person for each coin .... We'll walk along the wild beach and unfortunately very dirty, we see that the vultures are eating the carcass of a cat, the ocean water is cold ... and slowly return we get lost in the bustle of town, take pictures that show the Peruvian people friendly and smiling. Buy yogurt and fruit for lunch and 12.00 points distributed along the Pan American .... and this time suddenly becomes unforgettable. Rocks and reefs that are struggling with the impetus of the sea on one side and mountains and sand dunes on the other ... superb! Be careful, this stretch of road is dangerous, very often we find ourselves grit your teeth and sigh ... "If we get integers we thank the Virgin of Arequipa," says Nicholas ... The road is narrow, curvy, with no guardrail and on cliffs 500 meters .... Many are the crosses and tombs that testify to the people who lost their lives ...... I can assure you that is one of the most dangerous roads and spectacular ever made in my life! We arrived in Arequipa around 19:00 and we arrange nell'Arequipa Inn (USD 14.00), a small central hotel with comfortable rooms but petty. At 20.00 we leave and go to the restaurant Arequipay, very local ethnic tourism, with wooden tables and live music ... I pay 7 euros for a chicken broth, the Peruvian national dish, and Cuy, or pig, marinated in puree. The flavor is good but a little wild for my taste, with too many bones and little meat ... So I tried it just so ... Drink water and local beer Cusqueña. Around 21:30 pm we go out and do a tour of Arequipa, colonial city university, and then with a nice atmosphere and many young people on the street. We get to the main square Plaza de Armas, with a beautiful cathedral lit and beautiful colonial buildings. The usual snap countless photos, and around 22:30, now fired back at the hotel. Tomorrow is a relatively quiet day .... you visit Arequipa.

Arequipa

We wake up around 08:00, have breakfast with milk, coffee and sandwich with butter and jam. You exit the discovery of Arequipa, the second largest city of Peru, located in a fantastic landscape, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains and offers the visitor spectacular scenery. Colonial city has been nicknamed the White City for the color of its buildings. We begin our tour of the Monastery of Santa Catelina (USD 11.00), great religious complex, the largest of Peru and perhaps even the world, 20,000 square meters of narrow, winding streets, squares with trees, fountains, courtyards and houses Simple. It 's really fantastic walk along this complex, our guide named Laura is a woman professional, friendly and very prepared, we will give you $ 20. We go out and walk at the time of the Plaza de Armas, the main square of Arequipa, with its majestic cathedral from the outside but inside it bare .... continue to Iglesia de la Compania, with significant richly carved. After so many churches and religion feel the need for something more spartan and then we leave for the market, all the guides tell us to be careful, because the market of Arequipa is a haven for thieves and criminals various as usual is always exaggerates, we go with a lot of money, camera and camcorder and no one comes close, we are all curious smile and have fun. The market is full of color and life, counters with fruits and vegetables, meat, with mailai leaning over, fish, potatoes and more, among the oddities I see sellers who sell the juice of frog, you got it juice, frog, complete with live frogs and prancing in a closed recipinete! Incredible .... I still turn the market and enjoy a tasty mango juice and orange (USD 1.00), the seller wants a kiss and smiles at me .... satisfied! But fgli Accio women? Women? We say that in this case ...... it was more a stroll to Arequipa and enter into various shops where they sell hats, gloves and sweaters beautiful, do not buy anything ... but there's no time ... time! We see some women with traditional Peruvian clothes and we feel alive and excited also because the weather is beautiful, a beautiful sun illuminates the city and there is a slight wind that makes you sweat .... in short, the perfect day! For lunch try the restaurant the Cheviche Fory-Five, Peruvian national dish, a mixture of raw fish marinated (USD 8.00) ... very good! We continue to walk and stop in the Iberian which sells the best chocolate in Peru ... and I must say you need to feel bad ... chocolate that melts in your mouth leaving a taste sublime! Unbeatable .... Around 16:00 we sit on the terrace of a bar on the Plaza de Armas, chat, take the sun, we enjoy a coffee and the din and bustle of people ... What a day! At 16:00 we enter the Museum Santuary (USD 5.00), where Juanita has been preserved, frozen, or the remains of an Incan virgin sacrificed on the summit of Nevado Ampato over 5000 years ago. And 'required to take a guide that explains in about an hour some artifacts found in the tomb. An explanatory video then concludes our visit. Findings? Very interesting ... At about 18:00 we return to the hotel, sending a message to my father, shower, write and send postcards to the rite and at 19:30 with the rest of the group goes to the restaurant El Ventado, where for 7.00 usd eat a mixed grill of meat, water, chips, salad and we even offer a glass of Pisco liquor typical of the area ... all this for only 5 euros! We leave satisfied and full, take a short walk to Plaza de Armas and tired back at the hotel. Tomorrow there is a litmus test, one arrives at an altitude of 4,900 meters, many other people in the past have felt bad for the altitude ... we hope to be tough once again! Until tomorrow ....

El Misti, Patapampa, Chivay

We wake up at 6:45, breakfast with bread, butter, jam and tea and coca leaves for Chivay. Before starting the long trip, we changed drivers about the new name is Enrique, pause for 15 minutes in Yanahuara district of Arequipa, a quiet suburb that is now the Iglesia San Juan Baptista, we are closed, but we enjoy the her beautiful face and then walked on Mirador offers a view on Arequipa and El Misti volcano. We leave Arequipa and begin to climb the Andes, the group is solid, laughing and joking .... we all fear a little altitude and we are curious to see how they react ... The landscape quickly becomes fantastic, we are all in open mouth, a small and rugged road that penetrates incredible and arid valleys in the majestic mountains and offers panoramic views of crazy .... Our comments are rejoicing .... great .... great ... spectacular. .. we stop several times along the way to take pictures and shoot camera ... before we see llama, vicuña, alpaca .... in a unique background. Small markets follow each other along the way, buy a couple diguanti and a hat for 5 euros ... the cold is sharp ... and the towering mountains with their snowy peaks ... before touching 4000 share metrs stop in a small find another mate and drink coca, this time in the cup there are also leaflets ... the flavor is reminiscent of a mint tea, although the taste is much stronger and bitter .... None of us suffers the negative effect of altitude and subdivided, Francis and Gregory with their GPS phones count meters 4200 4400 .... now 4600 and 4900 ... and finally we stop at step Patapama and here the scenery becomes almost magical snowy peaks ... ... children and women who sell their fabulous clothing .... all strictly hand-made unique and unrepeatable ... ... here it is Peru that opens before us with all its tremendous beauty ... We're on the bus and look at the photos ..... Claudia smiles and jokes, is very nice, unfortunately the first symptoms of altitude Marta, dizziness and fatigue .... It 's the first time I come to a share of its kind, the most difficult task is that of breathing ... we need to move and breathe slowly .. . every step at this altitude is equivalent to 20 meters walk (at an altitude below 2500 meters) Serena buys Peruvian whistles and reintroduces the Muscia mesmerizing temples and splits the traffic lights of Arequipa, Nicholas read the guide, Francis takes pictures repetition, Elena soride with his eyes still red ... had them for the whole trip! We continue to stop and stop .... places are unforgettable. Around 13:00 we see from Chivay, we go to share and reach 3630 meters, where it awaits the village of Chivay, overnight at hotel Pascani (USD 17.50), which offers spacious and well appointed .. . careful, though here there are no heaters ... cover yourself well! We rest our backpacks and visit Chivay, starting from Plaza de Armas, small and pretty, then you go in the quaint market (few stalls). Arrive hungry, stop at a Pollera but ended chickens, search and research we stop at Casablanca Restaurant, where for 2 euros eat a steak sandwich with alpacas, but good was not just the best ... the location is beautiful with children who are up and down the shopping ... At 15:30 I go to the hotel ... it's time to swim, you go to the hot springs in fact (USD 3.00). We go swimming in the pool with natural mineral-rich water with a temperature of 39 degrees well! Relaxation is complete ... is so hot that sometimes you have to leave to cool (above water but 'is 0 degrees brrr ..) We talk too much about photography and then promptly proposes Gregory: "But we talk about pussy ... "! The feeling is unique, for the first time to savor the guosto a spa! Beautiful and relaxing! At 17:30 we leave the water and boiled fish as the altitude and exhaustion are felt, Nicholas and Claudia have heavy legs, headaches Serena .. and I said, 'Aho' me is to Pia n'mancamento ..."!! At 18:00 the bus comes to pick us and brings us to the hotel. Regenerating shower and go out at 19:20 to go to the restaurant Illiaku. We pay USD 9.00 per chicken soup, rice and fruit salad. The food is not great but there is a great atmosphere thanks to the live music of an Andean Group and a series of dances which also involve the tourists of course .... call me! As always however .... It's cold, back to the hotel ... you wake up tomorrow at 05:00 we go to see the condors ....

Colca, Condor, Puno

Rice rice ... damn damn ... I'm sick all night, the rice is digested, the room is cold, I have my head explodes, you close one eye ... get ready to Chivay, the cold polar and no heating! Meet for breakfast with the group and find that Serena has felt sick all night ... what a coincidence! She too had eaten rice .... the party around 06:30 for the Colca Canyon and its place called Cruz del Condor, as can be spotted easily in Condor. The road is impassable to say the least, a continuous tagada, a crunch that puts a strain on the engine and tires of the van and already shaken our stomachs! We stop several times to take pictures and return to the charming views of the cold ... but every time you open the doors of the bus is gripping our bodies ... Curious along a tunnel carved into the sheer rock ... 400 meters absolute complete darkness and dust! We get to the Colca Canyon around 8:15, groups of tourists were already seated waiting for the condors, we walk we are ready and patiently waiting to capture with our technological means these fantastic animals! And here we spot the first condors that Francis gives up, he's hit by the effects of altitude and must retreat to the bathroom in a hurry ..... the dying begin to be many! U orunu spend 20-25 minutes passively admire the rugged canyon of the condors, but no sign ... you see that are on strike? But then suddenly, almost at the same time leaving 7-8 condors circling in the air, fantastic, with their elegant and powerful wings, seem aware of their beauty and this is almost close to be photographed ... beautiful and charming! Wingspan of 3 meters .... an impressive force ... we are surprised and takes pictures repeat, I speak with Maurice, a Chilean who is beside me, invites me in Chile, but not a little closer? Around the 9:40 leave this natural wonder and start again .... way back ... same way ... same jump .... same pain ... there's a new entry! Martha .... she also adds to the dying ... soon we mostly! We now face a long journey to Puno, on Lake Titicaca.Torniamo to Chivay to buy something, I and the other three dying on the occasion to use the old rooms of the hotel .... all in the bathroom! Imodium you think! Around 12:00 pm and leave again after a couple of hours we stop at Yanka, a typical Peruvian village with a beautiful white church in the center. Just then there is a rush country and see many boys and girls running at full speed through the streets of cobblestone and dusty country. At about 15:00 we share to Puno, but stop at Mota, another village, characterized by a church located in the center. The building is very beautiful outside and inside very rich. Around 21:00 we arrive in Puno .. that is revealed in a crumbling, decadent, ugly, miserable .... one side ... the other is Lake Titicaca, highest navigable lake world. We stay at the hotel Alliuy (USD 13.00), which offers small rooms but well appointed. I'm sick and I have a slight fever, he sent a message to my father and one Giusy and dine with paracetamol, Imodium, aspirin and minerals ... I feel better tomorrow ..... I can not miss the islands of Lake Titicaca .... tomorrow then!

Titicaca Lake

The night passed with difficulty and with a severe headache, the paracetamol has worked well and the fever has passed, even if it has remained a sensation of numbness and weakness, two conditions in Peru 'can not afford ... The alarm clock is at 05:00, departure by boat on Lake Titicaca at 06:00, the sky is cloudy even if it seems ready to open ... the lake is calm. After about three hours of smooth sailing we arrive at Isla Taquile, a small island where they still speak Quechua and where modernity has not yet affected the lives of these islanders. Lovely is the square with the market that offers many handicraft products. Eat in the restaurant for lunch and € 2.00 EU take a grilled trout ... not bad at all! Around 2:30 p.m. we take the boat and after about an hour journey we arrive at Isla Amantani, quiet island, offering landscapes without roads .... it is like being back in time, electric current does not exist, there are machines, televisions ... the only electronic medium that connects us back with this is a radio broadcasting in the central square of Peruvian music. The other group members are climbing a path to enjoy the sunset, but I remain in the square, I sit and listen to the silence .... silence interrupted by two children chasing a tire .... peace interrupted by the shouting of two women lie down on the ground and prepare the kebabs .... the locals greet me and smiles at me ... I shoot and I take this moment! Coming soon ... Mary 18:00 and behold I still had not already told you, this evening we hosted (€ 5.00) by an indigenous family. The room is small but dignified, Mary and her husband are parents of two daughters ... living with little and dream Panettone who ate only once in their life, tell us where they live no vegetables, there is no fruit .... and must make do with what they have. So already agree with Nicholas and the other group includes rice, pasta, jam, sugar, salt, biscuits and coffee and donate everything to the host family are happy ... and I confess that even we in the end we are ! Sometimes it just takes so little! Mary prepares us for dinner, simple but tasty hot soup with vegetables and corn, which confess that cold is a godsend and omelets with vegetables with rice ... Around 20:00 we invite here is the surprise ... to wear their costumes and make us laugh and dance ... almost cowboy clothes and dance, but the fatigue is horrible and after about two hours .... And so we ask you to go back to bed, but fine day we spent two worlds so dstanti, two such different cultures ... one heart .....

Uros, Sillustani, Cuzco

The alarm clock is at 05:00 and numb from the cold and the usual sleepless night we "taste" the breakfast prepared by Mary, a succulent sandwich with jam and tea ....... not bad at all! The boat is waiting for us at 06:00 ... greetings ceremony with Mary and ... sail towards the islands of the Uros, the main tourist destination of Lake Titicaca. They say that too many tourists, they say they're too commercial, I personally have found them exceptional, they are floating islands made of reeds, now these islands, in small huts, about 400 people live .... seems to be sunk in a game .... it is possible that there are still people living in these conditions! I spend about 25 euros to buy hats, gloves, socks, rugs ... I'm not an expert but the material made by hand is fantastic! After about 90 minutes to leave the visiting Lake Titicaca ... really touching and beautiful and a new bus (but how many have changed)? we move to Sillustani (USD 2.00). Burial towers which are located in the hills of Lake Umayo. Some of these towers are impressive and reach 12 meters in height, the scenery is beautiful, dry and harsh, as throughout Peru, with these towers the lake in the background ... missed the blade unabashed munching grass. Sillustani leave and go to the bus station Puno lose, we face a long trip, 7 hours of walking on a public bus to Cuzco (USD 10.00). I eat a sandwich with some good cheese and about 30 minutes late we move to Cuzco. The music is high and annoying, the back of my seat there is a Peruvian guy who knows all the songs and sings all ... just all ... Throw down! Francis uses the earphones and runs away ... others try to sleep, Serena is not worried because macchian finds his camera and unfortunately no longer be able to find it here .... Around 16:00, the curtain opens, enter low and a portly woman with a mountain of greasy paper and a knife, opened a small table and begins to cut the pork ... all this while walking bus .... all stink of pork! And the Peruvian singer gives me a piece ... edible! The journey is long and tortuous, slightly raining outside, the heaters are turned on and seems to be in an oven ... Elena and Gregory sleep, Martha does not feel right, laughs as always Claudia, Nicholas read the Lonely Planet Peru while Mark and Sonia tell us of their many trips past ... The arrival in Cuzco is at 22:00 ... Come Hotel Royal Hinte (USD 20.00), with its fine colonial-style courtyard, with rooms very high roof and above a central location, we are 2 steps from the Plaza des Armas. Tired but not dominant we decide to go to Cuzco and now we are bewitched by its extraordinary beauty, the square is lit, with its imposing cathedral and the fountain, there is a lot of people coming and going ... Cuzco is Peru! We stop in a room and eat a caprese hear hear ..... I too want to tomatoes ... Around 23:40 we go back to bed tired ... Tomorrow we face the wonderful Pisac.

Pisac, Cuzco

Tonight you sleep much better, returning to 3300 meters of altitude made itself felt, we have breakfast at 08:30 and depart for Pisac in the Sacred Valley. We arrive after about un'orae visit the ruins that are absolutely fantastic (there is a ticket of $ 45.00 that allows you to enter many sites) ... Located on a hilltop, the citadel of the Inca offers truly spectacular corners. .. this is a taste of the famous Machu Picchu are splendid ... its cultivated terraces that stretch along the slopes of the mountains. Personally at this point of the trip Pisac ruins with its conquest of the primacy of beauty, the emotions can give to a tourist ... simply superb! At about 14:00 we go and visit the famous market, colorful, colorful and safe (do not listen to those who say otherwise)! We remain impressed stalls where they sell many types of corn, potatoes, fruit, vegetables and clothes ... everything is just ... buy the shirt of Peru and a pair of socks for Giusy and around the 15:00 bus resumes for the return to Cuzco. Do not forget Serena who was lost and the fall of Helen ..... this is also part of a journey or not? We arrive in Cuzco and Nicholas and Claudia decide to go to the neighborhood of San Blas, but we remain in the center. La Iglesia de la Merced is closed and then we go to visit one of Compania, but here we have a nasty surprise, you pay 5 euros to enter (so much for ordinary Peruvians) ... we do not go even a little .... 'angrily pointed the Cathedral .... and here is the same music and same price, but the result changes as we decide to enter (you can not photograph or film). The cathedral is interesting, quite big, but heavy decisante in its style, style that reflects deeply the "vulgar" Latin American ... We leave the cathedral and take a tour of the old, taking pictures and scerhza, pity about the rain sometimes continues to drench the whole environment. At 19.30 we have an appointment to go to dinner, you go to Pachapapa, locally renowned for USD 12.00 where I take an assortment of potatoes and cheese and beef jumped very flavorful and tasty. Drink water and beer. At about 23:00 we return to the hotel, we are tired with all ambe sore from so much walking tomorrow ... the start is at 08:00 ... you visit the 4 Ruinas ...

4 Ruinas, Cuzco

Fantastic night! There's a party in all of Peru and there are explosions of firecrackers, fireworks at all hours of the night ... these are crazy! Is practically impossible to sleep at 4:30 my eyes are wide open, despite all asleep ... Francis I took advantage of a good shower, shave and completely new ... ready to devour other monuments and other history .... At 08:00 we are ready to quit, Nicholas, Gregory, Martha and Serena opt for the 4 escurisone Ruinas horse, me and the other foot .... at least going by taxi (€ 4.00) and return on foot (8 km). The first is Tambomachay Ruinas, tic consisting of a ceremonial bath with fountain mentor function, the second Pukapukara, with its tinge of red rock and the third is Q'enqo, perhaps the least interesting, this is a great rock on which were carved out niches and steps, and the fourth is fantastic Sawsaywaman, the walls consist of zig-zag shaped stones, some weighing 300 tons ... extraordinary! We remain open-mouthed ... one wonders how they could move like stones ... and take pictures and photos around 12:30 rejoin us too ... We go out 4 riders from the site and we go for a Walk to Cuzco, the neighborhood of San Blas, tourist place, characterized by narrow streets, squares, and various local restaurants. We stop for a pizza margherita (€ 4.00) to Tapino, edible but do not expect much .... During dinner the speeches are hot, there is talk of archaeological Inca and extraterrestrials, and other various mysteries, then The conversation turns abruptly on Italian women, about their condition and honestly I could not answer .... I'm tired of these pseudo-feminist discourse of frustrated women who do not know who to blame ... talk with any and the generic ... 'bad man woman saint ... but yet you believe it?? I stop at an internet point for some reassuring message and then send around this time alone to Cuzco by the church of San Francisco, where he is on a religious ceremony, then visit the Museum of Folk Art (ticket falls within ' subscription explained above), very simple and avoidable, I go into the Plaza de Armas and I enjoy the multitude of people passing in front of me, there is a group of Boy Scouts who sings and dances, a trapeze artist, vendors, various artists. ... in the plaza of Cuzco pass around the world .... are 19:00 to 19:30 in hotel and restaurant Cliffs where you go for 6 euro take a hot soup with vegetables and a delicious grilled beef steak , drinking water and a glass of red wine. Around 22:00, we are tired and we're already in bed, tomorrow will be another hard day as a tourist .....

Moray, Marasal, Ollayntatambo, Aguacaliente

The alarm clock is at 06:00, breakfast and departure at 07:00. We wait another day that will be wonderful .... a day full of things to see and do ... in addition to the three of us girls in Bolzano, Raffaella, Rita, Christine and their coordinator Antonio, is a another group "Travels and Adventures in the world." The day is beautiful, there's a bright sun and we finally takes off his jacket and is sleeved, the sky is deep blue, spotted only by a few clouds. It passes through a fantastic landscape, including mountains, glaciers and valleys .... for miles and km, not only human but no trace wilderness .... a landscape film. We arrive at the site of Moray, an Inca terracing move a bill engineering, the circles are pinpoint accuracy and even this site there are many possible hypotheses, from the practical to the more imaginative! The landscape that surrounds this place is magical, and even snap photos on photo also our guide Peruvian Isabel, sweet kind and professional photo shoot saying that he had never realized how beautiful this place was. We leave on the bus and after a few km we are to Maras, a small village that was home for Spanish nobles who left some good arcades here too .... but be fascinated by life, by the people .... bambbini running men grazing cows and donkeys, wild boars free on the street, dogs (I licked a whole hand), an elderly lady with a black cat next ... scenes of everyday life, scenes of a life far away for us ... eat two bananas in the main square of each natural site Marasali, a natural salt that is traversed by water rich in salt, which produced here is collected in industrial quantities. The place is beautiful, you walk through these white salt, in the mountains, under a cobalt blue sky .... another place to be framed! Back on the bus and around 12:30 we arrive at Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca fortress, located in the middle of the mountains, situated on the homonymous village. Before going to the fort, eat a sandwich for € 5.00 tomato, cheese, pesto and a bottle of water and then enter the fortress. Describe these places is to be repetitive ... but this place is beautiful, every corner offers ruins, breathtaking views, wildlife and dry ... wonderful! I take a walk to the market and for 10 euro bought as my costume, a book on the kitchen luogoda visited me: Peruvian Cuisine. At 15:00 we walk toward the train station of Ollantaytambo, the emotion you feel, it is clear ..... you're going to ride the train for the country Aguacaliente or Machu Picchu Pueblo ... We arrive at the station and the train is there, blue, number 217, still ahead, photo rite, laughing and joking .... Gregory says: "Tomorrow I think I fall for her eyes ..." At 15:40 we get on the train, my seat number is 7, and coach A. .. 16:03 ..... after a good siren is part of the journey .... I have often seen television, studied the books ... it was there, between present, future and past ... the group is happy, Claudia sits near a Peruvian who sleeps "the luck ..." Mark and Martha are sitting behind, I am with Sonia Francis and Christina, and Raffaella Serena, Nicholas and Anthony, Gregory and Elena ... The route passes edge of a river, below the beautiful mountains, through tunnels dug in rock, there are many photos, Serena again with my camera. Beautiful! At 18:00 we arrived at Agua Caliente, we arrange for USD 18.00 Quill Hostal offers the rooms are very beautiful and elegant! At 19:30 we meet in the lobby for dinner. It goes to the hostel restaurant and take 4 euros a soup with vegetables, trout and sweet chocolate (the worst meal of the holiday, for taste and quantity). Let's take a quick tour Aguacaliente, resort in all directions, local restaurants will follow to the main square. We buy water and biscuits for the day and at 22.00 we are in bed.

Machu Picchu

There are two options: awake and comfortable base for the site of Machu Picchu alarm or painful to 03:30 and get in line for the climb to Wayna Picchu, which is the mountain that overlooks the site of Machu Picchu. To access data on this mountain are only 200 tickets for the round of 07.00 and another 200 to that of 10:00, then applies the law of first come, first .... Secono you as a group our spacious and comfy and a character as What would my choice? Undoubtedly, the second hypothesis ... and then woke up at 3:30, have breakfast and go down as automation, even though the time we Arzilli and eager to cross this great new adventure ... at 04:00 we are waiting in the square the first bus leaving at 5:30 in front of us 38 people ... we should do it, we become more pessimistic when we say that some have already gone on foot, the line increases as the eye, but they are all behind us , the first bus arrives at 05:30, then immediately another, we enter the second ... it's off to Machu Picchu! 20 minutes by bus route through a small bush, and we get there we lined up ... maybe ... we do it in front of us a hundred people, the mass is all behind. You enter the site and the people behind us began to corere to arrive before the gate of Wayna Picchu ... we run ourselves but when we enter the site of Machu Picchu is amazed ... it is an incomparable beauty ... wonderful! ! We are under the gate of Wayna Picchu, which opens at 07:00 (7 will be many giocare9? Managed to get everyone in our group as we see many people who remain outside ... gentlemen bird catches the worm! Let's go (I I'm number 82) and start one by one to climb the steps, dirt roads, in an imaginary landscape, devouring meters and as we see the site of Machu Picchu below us, with its unique form of Condor .. ... a brown patch in the middle of a lush dark green vegetation. In the sky the sun rises to illuminate the tops of mountains, the climb is difficult but not dangerous, the important thing is never feeling safe and not be distracted. After about a 'hours of climbing, between puffs, taking pictures, toil and sweat (the most difficulty was Serena), we arrive at the point and the view is extraordinary, the top of the mountains, the lush green vegetation, blue sky and the earth tones of the archaeological site merge forming a unique place in the world: Machu Picchu! We stay on top for about 30 minutes, sometimes in silence, broken only by one click of photos ... ... Gregory was right eye There are waterfalls! Back down at 10:30, we are tired but happy, knowing that they had seen something special. We are shooting for the site, fascinated and amazed, shot many photos, but tourists are not even many .... and what makes the place even more beautiful ... We visit with the guide, the Main Temple, the Temple of Three Windows, the window in which enters the first ray of sunshine on June 21, a surprise in every room , every corner a surprise ... Machu Picchu! Time flies and around 13:00 we decided to salute this wonderful place, Raffaella and Cristina, Marta and Serena decide to return by bus, me, Nicholas, Claudia Francis Gregory and Helen, do not forget anything to opt for a long walk ... other steps and gravel roads .... hiking and trekking. We walk along the Urubamba River and the scenery here is very beautiful. After about an hour one arrives at Agua Caliente and go get something to eat, I opt for (7 euros) for a pizza margherita. In the afternoon after aer sent messages on the Internet takes off the light for about three hours and arrive in complete darkness .... Besides this there are also problems with water and are forced to have a shower Iceland frosty style ... just not wanted! Esco and here in the middle of Agua Caliente, I see something beautiful, red and yellow of the shirt great Rome, worn by a young Peruvian ... Viennese Hermano para a photo? He said: "Totti Totti ... great captain's face who wants you bad! appointment at 19:30 for dinner, you be Urupi wing restaurant where for € 12.00 a tortilla to eat the vegetable and a mixed grill, water to drink. We decide to do a little turn in the center and help a group of children to place a network between the trees to play volleyball. ... thank you so much! tired at 22:00 at check back tomorrow ...? another round ... another race ...

Ollayntatambo, Chincero, Cuzco

The alarm clock is at 4:30, have breakfast under the table and pops a giant rat that runs away .... who start the day! At 05:30 we have the train that takes us back to Ollayntatambo and then the bus that takes us to Cuzco vuovamente. We stop for a break of about two hours in the village of Chinchero, a quaint little village with a beautiful colonial baroque church, the Inca ruins and a beautiful market. We walk a little to this landscape that brings us back in time ... in the late morning departure to Cuzco. Today we devote the entire day to walk through the market, let the middle and pay only 2 euros for a bisteca with rice and egg, then go to the craft center and back in the San Blas, where you taste a piece of apple pie, good. ... At 19:30 we leave to go to the restaurant, you go to Los Armas, where for € 5.00 eat asparagus and ham and a pizza margherita, today I really exaggerated! At 22:00 return to hotel, tomorrow we fly to Lima.

Lima

We are running out of our trip, the appointment is at 06:00 for breakfast, there's Serena who has had stomach problems for most of the trip ... bread, jam, butter, milk and orange juice to boiling with coffee and again, this time the direction is the airport of Cuzco, where we expect the company Starperù flight departing at 07:40 and finish at 08.50. We are a little tense and nervous, the news that the same flight a few years ago to sichiantato on a mountain concerns us slightly ... They mask the tension with jokes ... "by which we review today Machu Picchu, the most excited is that Gregory has a great fear of the plane. The flight leaves on time, the hostesses eager to talk with us talking in Italian, we are punctual in Lima at 08:50. The sky is clear, the gorge is just harsh ... Lima, a megalopolis of 10 million inhabitants ... it says that there are two possibilities or you love or hate ... we'll see which side I line up ! We expect a minibus and we dive into the chaotic traffic of the Peruvian capital. The first stop is the Miraflores district, where you can stroll beside the Pacific Ocean. The conflicting opinions in the group are initially ... I am still attracted to this city, are in fact the beautiful waterfront. We visit the Park of Love, with two statues of a man and a woman who tenderly kissing and writings of various poets left on the walls as the only argument it ..... love w love! Snap some photos and share it with the bus, this time towards the center. The traffic seems crazy ... the truth is I love that too of a capital cross and delight of every nation, two opposite feelings at odds with each other and hug each other constantly. The group is silent and see pictures of Lima scroll the window. Let davati the Estadio Nacional in football, in Peru there are two great teams, one academic and one in Lima and Cuzco most years contending the league ... We will pass the Parque de la Exposicion, green lung in the middle of town. Download our backpacks Hostal Bonbini we took a room and then left for the center of Lima. We begin our tour from the Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas, the central square of the Peruvian capital, with its Archbishop's Palace to the left, the Palacio del Gobierno on the north-east and the Cathedral. See the changing of the guard and more than a military parade seems to show a full-time with a band of soldiers and ballet, the group is not interested in the cathedral, I divide and remain with Sonia and Marco, classic pair of North Italy that best goes on in the trip and buy more points. The interior (€ 2.50), offers an impressive corcho and an interesting museum with relics of Religious leader Pizarro. Leaving the cathedral, we go to visit the beautiful monastery of San Francisco (€ 1,50), complex famous for its catacombs and a rich library of thousands of ancient books. The crypts are filled with bones, it is believed that the number of people buried in the catacombs is around 70,000. Monstaro came from lunch with an ice cream ... very far from the Italians and with Marco and Sonia opt to visit the Museo de la Inquisicion (admission free). Here you can get in the basement where prisoners were tortured. Interesting but very bare and with guides who go too fast .... but is free and those who complain? ' At 15:10 I go back to the hotel for a shower, today we turn to and I was the first, I went out again around 16:00 and I walk all the footpaths that leave from Plaza de Armas, so I find myself visiting the Iglesia de la Merced and then I get lost on the trade routes of the Peruvian capital. Many are the people who crowd these streets and I never ever had the feeling of danger, have to be careful but do not believe all the hype around .... say that again meets Sonia and Marco and together we decided to visit the 'ennemisa Chesa, San Pedro. Time passes quickly and leaves the impression that a visitor to Lima is a city of drab, gray, confusing, offering little for tourists but still leaves strong emotions ... here is the life, is seen in gestures of people in the eyes of children ... we all come together in the hotel around 18:20, laughing and joking thinking at all hours of flying ahead. The last dinner at the Vista al Mar, elegant restaurant built on top of a cliff ... I pay € 13.00 per bottle of Chilean wine, a plate of fish and seafood paella to ... delicious! Among the various projects we start already ... who dreams of future trips Black Africa, who China, who the U.S. ... then go back to Gregory us all with his feet on the ground when we remember his bag full gear! Come to Lima airport, we salute our driver and we fly .... but this is another day ....

Atlanta

The flight to Atlanta leaves at 0:20, airline Delta, arriving in Georgia at 08:25 local. The flight is on time, but I confess that several times wobble of this aircraft has made me suffer and pray! Once in Atlanta, we have a half day, then the group is divided, the majority goes to the Museum of Coca-Cola, Nicholas and Claudia decide to rest in the park, and Francis I opt for the aquarium, but when we see the row that is to go give up and we throw in the various shopping malls in the American city. Lunch with a salad in the mega-mall CNN and Francis "American" also try the famous Donut, a donut to Homer Simpson to let you know .... At 13.00 we meet others in the group and the subway back to the airport , which controls the past, Americans are fussy about those long, boring ... We find ourselves on the plane again, this time starting at 16:45 local time and arrive at Rome Fiumicino airport at 08:25, Italian time. Salute before leaving Sonia and Mark, they take flight to Milan will start two hours after us, come the first tears are those that moved us greets Sonia Marco smiles .... and embraces us. Our flight leaves on time and as much in advance, took the luggage is finally coming to greetings, hugs and kisses for everyone, with the promise to see you soon .... who knows!

The Final

Our journey and my story ends here, something to add? The
Peru rests lightly on your body, light as a feather, like a soul, a spirit ..... imperceptibly enters your skin .... you .... you shakes you wonder .... moves .... I wonder .... leaves you breathless ..... but when it enters your blood is ...... when overwhelmingly in your heart that you realize that will not leave you never !!