In the homeland of Incas. Cultural trip to Peru

June 7, 2007 Thursday:
After visiting Bolivia in the luggage has literally soared, and despite the different geometrical variations experienced in trying to cram everything in the trunk of the Sentra, they refuse to quit. We have a little accentuated the camber of the trunk, but nothing doing. However, after various adventures we can reconcile the luggage space and repaired the puncture we leave Puno, where preparations are underway for the feast of Corpus Christi.
The road runs through valleys dotted with alpacas, we are always around 4000 meters high. About halfway between Puno and Cusco, a few kilometers before Raqchi, stop at the restaurant "Filipon", excellent buffet varied.
A Raqchi is being local festival of Corpus Domini, a number of local dance and folk bands playing in front of the church located at the entrance of the Inca ruins. Temple Raqchi was one of the largest in Cusco.
We're back to Cusco where we arrive at about 7 o'clock. All downtown streets are still blocked for the procession of Corpus Domini, one of the main events in the Catholic calendar of Peru. After traveling a series of labyrinthine streets conquer the Little Inn (Hotel Piccola Locanda Cusco, Calle resbalosa 520, Cusco. The inn is well located within walking distance from the center of Cusco, the environment is pleasant and has a very good Italian home cooking .
June 8, 2007 Friday:
For visits to museums and archaeological sites of Cusco and its purchase the boleto tourism.
Start with a visit to the Inka Museum, then move on to the cathedral, the museum precolombiao, the church of Santo Domingo and the Corikancha. In the afternoon we buy tickets for the train to Machu Picchu, be reserved via Internet. Cuzco is a really interesting city and we forgive easily through the narrow streets built within the walls Inka, stroll through the shops of handicrafts.
June 9 Saturday
Today's program provides for the transfer from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo, covering the entire Sacred Valley.
First stop at the ruins of Saqsaywaman where it is worth hiring a guide to be able to discover the secrets of the stones of the Inka ruins. The esplanade opposite the ruins are already ongoing preparations for the costume party in which the battle is commemorated with Pizarro.
Turning to Q'enqo and Puka Pukara, we reach Pisac. Although the famous market is held on Thursdays and Sundays, the Plaza de Armas is busy every day from stalls with handicraft items. Lunch in the Plaza de Armas, in the afternoon we depart for a visit to the ruins of Pisac, where he arrived a little too late for the kind of path that lies ahead. The ruins are scattered in fact on the wall and the crest of the mountain that dominates Pisac, a complete revolution of the ruins probably requires 3 or 4 hours. We have only a couple hours of light and therefore we limit ourselves to the anticipated reduced, however, which provides some suggestive passages and a little exposed. Regained its self after a couple of hours for a pó exhausted sgambato at altitude and the strong wind. Then we walk the rest of the Sacred Valley in the dark now. A Munay Tika Ollantaytambo poernottiamo Hotel situated on the road that leads to the train station. Dinner at a restaurant Kusiloyuor quite disappointing.
Sunday June 10:
Wake up at 6 for breakfast and to take the train to Aguas Calientes, local access to the ruins of Machu Pichu. The British company which operates the train to Aguas Calientes implements a real scam legalized. Because it is the most expensive train in the world, approximately one hour and twenty train for around 80 USD each! There being no plausible alternative (as hiking there is a little down training) we allow ourselves to "pluck" in this unworthy manner (in any case remember that tickets can only be purchased in Cusco at the ticket station and at least one day advance). The posts are numbered, and then look good when buying ask for seats on the left side of the car, allowing the best views and views of the river below.
Aguas Calientes is very very disappointing, almost nothing remains of the original village and everything is constructed and located in the light of the enormous flow of tourists who each day must pass to reach Machu Picchu. The theft for the visit to Machu Picchu is not yet over, the van for the trip from Aguas Calientes to the ruins costs 12 USD per person, this one must then add the entrance ticket to the ruins and if the cost of driving.
The show is still impressive ruins are located on a series of peaks dominate the valleys below are simply breathtaking and not just for the slopes and the trek at high altitude. The tour takes about two hours after which we enjoy the view from different angles. The view from the house of the guardian is still the most fascinating. We spoke with the gardeners quadrupeds (blade) that keep the grass in the archaeological area of carpet so always English (there will be some relationship with the company that manages the railroad?).
The return bus to Aguas Calientes is characterized by a race between the boys walk and the bus. The boys cut the switchbacks down into the forest and are able to arrive before the regular buses, in time then for a good tip.
Journey back by train up to Ollantaytambo. Change restaurant and the restaurant Mayupata proves a pleasant surprise.
Monday June 11:
On the way back to Cusco, we visit the Maras Salinas, an endless expanse of settling tanks, supplied by water from a subterranean stream rich in mineral salts. Then proceed to Moray for the visit to the laboratory for cultivation Inka, a sort of amphitheater terraces, where you can find a different microclimate in each terrace.
Then reaching Chincero, village typical of the Andes, visit the colonial church built as in most cases on the walls of the temple Inka. Chincehero does not offer many options for lunch, then we head to the Castro family's restaurant on the highway.
Return to Cuzco and dinner at the tavern.
Tuesday June 12:
Great transfer stage: 900 km, crossing the entire cordillera of the Andes.
Everyone was puzzled abbastanz could be transferred in groups of Cuzco in Paracas, about 900 km of roads with at least four passes over 4000 meters and as many runs in the valleys. We try! Dell'Apurimac down into the valley, traced to Abancay, get on and off every time there are about 1500 or 2000 meters in altitude. We climb back on the Cordillera Huanzu, falling to Puquio and again up to 4000 meters in the Natural Park of Pampa Galeras. The scenery is beautiful but the road is prohibitive, an endless series of twists and despite the traffic we encounter three small vehicles off the road, a car, a truck and a bus with all of its cargo of passengers. We are now at sunset when we reach Nazca, then at the end of the crossing of the Andes, about 12 hours to travel 700 km, almost without stopping.
There are now only 200 km to reach Panamericana Paracas where we arrive at 20. We risuciti! 14 hours as planned, very tired! Overnight and dinner at the Hotel El Mirador - Paracas.
Wednesday June 13: The excursion to the Ballestas Islands is scheduled for 8:00 departure from El Chaco in Paracas. The winter fog reduces visibility to p

 

Wednesday June 13: The excursion to the Ballestas Islands is scheduled for 8:00 departure from El Chaco in Paracas. The winter fog reduces visibility to a few meters centinais and then the departure is delayed while waiting for better times. After almost 3 weeks past at around 4000 meters, walking hours at sea level it feels much lighter. Can we go to the islands at 11h00. The trip lasts a couple of hours, a small paradise for sea birds. Many pelicans, cormorants, on, penguins and some sea lion. After returning for lunch you'll be spoiled for choice, beside dell'imbarcadero there is a number of small ristorranti which offer delicious dishes of "mariscos" and of course ceviche.
Around 15 again for that of Lima.

Thursday June 14: Last day will be dedicated to a visit to the center of Lima and then a race to the airport to return the car and to return to Italy with KLM flight.