Our trek in Peru starts here (1 Viewer)

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jumartoo

jumartoo

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Adam selecting his trail mix before we set off for our last day.

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Llamas on the trail
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Terraces built for growing food. Soil was transported up from the Sacred Valley.

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The "monkey steps' just before the Sun Gate.

And a view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.
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It was still a long descent!
 
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We descended down towards Machu Picchu. Our permit was for a visit the next day but we took a couple of photos before queuing for the bus to take us down to Aguas Calientes and a hot shower and a comfortable bed. Guess who had a headache all night again?

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We quite liked Aguas Calientes although its very touristy. We met Jose to go for a meal and we chose pizza!

The next morning we were on an early bus back up to Machu Picchu. José gave us a guided tour.

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Restored buildings, probably to store grain.

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The Earth Temple, underneath the Sun Temple.
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The Sun Temple has two windows. One, hardly visible here at the left of the temple which faces the Sun Gate. On 21 December the sun shines from the Sun Gate through this window and forms a triangle in the temple. The same thing happens on 21 June but the sun shines over the mountain of Wayna Picchu and through the window at the front.

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Sun dial and compass.

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The Temple of the Condor. The wings are represented by the rocks behind José and the neck and head are carved on the ground.
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Macchu Pichu doesn't look too busy - I had always imagined it would be heaving with tourists.
 
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Hagstrom

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Who had the headache? He who didn't take the Diamox?

N&R
 
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Macchu Pichu doesn't look too busy - I had always imagined it would be heaving with tourists.

It was busy as far as we were concerned! Its early in the season though and we went early in the morning. Apparently in July and August it's heaving.

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After many hours of flying and waiting we are now back in Totana and I can now post on my tablet instead of the phone.

We can say that, despite the headaches due to the altitude, we thoroughly enjoyed our trek.

We saw many things that we didn't expect. We saw humming birds and many orchids. We saw the way the country people live, even now in 2016. We heard, but didn't see, a Toucan and we didn't see a Condor.

A short anecdote from José about the courting protocol of young "country" people.

The young boys carry a mirror. When they see a girl they fancy they shine the mirror at them. If they get a positive response they will go to talk to her. Another scenario is that they throw small stones at the girl they fancy and hope for a positive response :Eeek:. If the two like each other they then spend some months talking (no touching or kissing). If they want to stay together they then have to follow the following.

(Because Peru is mostly a Catholic country, divorce is frowned upon, so to prevent divorce they don't get married!)

When the two want to get together the boys parents gave to go to meet the girls parents. The date for this is set and they have to arrive at midnight! If the girls father approves of the boy and he has his house built, then he will allow the union. A meal and drink is shared and the two youngsters then go to live together!

Don't know what happens if the father doesn't approve!

If in later years the couple want to get married then they have to fund a party (with co-operation of the parents) for the whole village. This used to take these days but now is held over one day.

A couple of last photos sent to me by José.

A group photo of us and our porters. A photo of us being dressed up by the weavers in Ollantaytambo and a photo of us at Machu Picchu.

I have many more photos of food and orchids amongst others but I think enough is enough.

Thanks for reading.

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Jun 16, 2013
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Throughly enjoyed reading your posts. My sister lives in Lima and has done for 10 years. We have not been able to visit so far because of very expensive air fares. But now BA go direct from LGW at a reasonable price its not impossible. Your photos make me want to go even more now. :)
 

Mikey RV

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Thanks for the pics and info, really enjoyed this thread.

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Throughly enjoyed reading your posts. My sister lives in Lima and has done for 10 years. We have not been able to visit so far because of very expensive air fares. But now BA go direct from LGW at a reasonable price its not impossible. Your photos make me want to go even more now. :)

Go when you can, it's a fantastic place and the people are so friendly. We are certainly doing South America again sometime. We didn't see Lima, only the airport, but I watched a video on the plane and it looks a nice place also.
 

Jenben

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Looks like an amazing trip @jumartoo , I have loved all the pictures and your descriptions have been so informative. Welcome back.

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Jun 16, 2013
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Go when you can, it's a fantastic place and the people are so friendly. We are certainly doing South America again sometime. We didn't see Lima, only the airport, but I watched a video on the plane and it looks a nice place also.

We are planning to :). My sister comes over here every couple of years and we help with airfare, cheaper for one than four. But she now has a baby and a partner so our turn. We retire in 3 years and we can then go when we like. July and August are their winter so not the best months to go. Mind you April/ May looks nice especially from your photos. Do you mind me asking who you contacted to do the trek?
 
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We did the trek through KE Adventure Travel based in Keswick but they sub contracted out to Lima Tours who made all the arrangements. We arranged our own flights because we went from Madrid. Lima Tours can organise any type of tour you want, within reason! They speak good English.

July and August, even tho' winter months, are the busiest because winter is the dry season. Your sister will know all about that! We had an almost perfect two weeks, a bit of low cloud when we went over Dead Woman's Pass. The forecast we were watching in the two weeks leading up to our trip was still rain every day!
 
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Hagstrom

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Pleased you're back safe and have enjoyed it. Our phone app says it's 28C in Totana - well it's not here. May see you later in the summer in UK.

N&R

(Dead Woman's Ass. Is that a PrissMint?)

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Anthea M

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Welcome back and thanks for posting such beautiful photos. It makes you wonder how the community lived there and built quite large communities . A fascinating place . Our friends must have been one week ahead of you and thoughly enjoyed it , but came back exhausted and full of cold!!
 

BJKD

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Just seen your posts.A great read with fab photos.Glad you are back in one piece.Sounds like you had an interesting trip.
 

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