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Peru; South America 2006

Spent 8 days taking the gringo trail through Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu.

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High Above the Andes
Oct 2, 2006

We flew out of a dismal, dark and gray Lima to rise above. Changes in attitude followed with the changes in altitude. My first view of the Andes was everything I had hoped for and more! I was in love! Big, bold, beautiful and spectacularly phenomenal! The intense indigo-blue skies, bright Incan sun and crystal-clear, cool air of Cusco infused me with new hope, energy and wonder.

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Peru Panoramas
Oct 3, 2006

Panoramic views from the many spectacular vistas in Peru! From Cusco to breathtaking Chinchero (and I mean that literally) to Urubamba and onward to Machu Picchu.

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Cusco; Peru
Oct 2, 2006

Full moon is coming and it is time to go! We flew into Cusco and then traveled through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. From there we took the train to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Don't forget to read my Peru Journal for a better idea of our trip's itinerary. Click on My Journals to the left.

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Coricancha; Peru
Oct 3, 2006

Coricancha is in Cusco, which was the capital of the Incan Empire. Coricancha was the "Temple of the Sun" during the Incan reign and highly sacred, reserved to only the Inca and his high priests. It was lined entirely of gold, and was quickly looted and ravished by the greedy Conquistadors.

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Sacsayhuaman; Peru
Oct 3, 2006

Sacsayhuaman sits just above Cusco and is within walking distance of Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. All are easily accessible from Cusco and all four can be explored in an afternoon.

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Chinchero & the Sacred Valley; Peru
Oct 4, 2006

Leaving Cusco, we journeyed our way through the Sacred Valley, stopping at Chinchero for a bit before we headed on to Ollantaytambo.

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Ollantaytambo; Peru
Oct 4, 2006

Ollantaytambo was the last refuge, the fortress sought by Manco Inca after he was defeated at Sacsayhuaman and driven out of Cusco. He came here and summoned up more of his people. Together they successfully fought off the Conquistadors for a time. They diverted the Urubamba River causing the valley below them to flood. The Spaniards' horses floundered in the bog and they retreated, only to rally forth more troops and return. It was here the Spaniards captured Manco's favorite wife, tortured her, stripped her of her clothes and then killed her. They then sent her body down river on a raft as a message to the Incan people. Manco's men found her body and retreived her from the river. Manco Inca fled into the Amazon jungle where he lived for 7 more years, constantly resisting the Spanish conquerors.

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Machu Picchu; Peru
Oct 5, 2006

Aaahhhh...Machu Picchu! Words cannot describe it. Look at the pictures and try to imagine being there....Such heights and such sights!!! Incredible!!!

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Mandor Waterfalls; Peru
Oct 6, 2006

A peaceful little waterfalls tucked back in off the train tracks, which wind their way through Aguas Calientes and the Urubamba River valley. About an hour hike from Aguas Calientes. Turn right and walk west till you see the tiny wooden handwritten sign. Ask the lady who lives there to let you in, through the gate. For 3 sols (.30) you can walk the path back to the falls.

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Aguas Calientes; Peru
Oct 5, 2006

The bustling, tiny little town of Aguas Calientes sits 6km below Machu Picchu. Thousands of people pass through on their way to view the spectacular ruins. Dipped deep between the many mountain ranges and nestled along the Urubamba River, it is a wonderful little misty-mountain village.

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Landscapes from PeruRail
Oct 7, 2006

All these shots were taken while traveling PeruRail's Vistadome train. We followed the Urubamba River the whole way from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then onward to Cusco. It was a 4 hour train ride, but the scenery was beautiful and the ride was relaxing.

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Lima; Peru
Oct 8, 2006

Miraflores district of Lima and the Lima zoo.

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