Into the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Trip Start Nov 26, 2007
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Trip End Jul 14, 2008


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Flag of Peru  , Sacred Valley,
Monday, May 26, 2008

We had decided to save a bit of money by getting our train tickets from a place called Ollyantaytambo (nearer to Machu Picchu) rather than Cusco (we saved about $70). So, we left Cusco after 3 days, leaving our big rucksacks with the hostal, and headed up to Andes and into the Sacred Valley via Chinchero, and two local buses. The journey was very scenic over the high plains with views of snowy peaks, and down deep into the Sacred Valley, where the Rio Urubamba flows. We got a nice cheap wee hostal by the river, and with views of the Inca ruins here. Exploring, we came across lots of wee narrow lanes with open drainage, and climbed worn paths to find other ruins overlooking the village.

Later in the day, we wandered into the main ruins site without being stopped for a fee, and found some nice ruins to look at below the massive fortress, with its spectacularly steep terraces. We agreed this lovely wee place was a good change from Cusco, and its throngs of tourists.

We took a walk down to the railway station to get our bearings for our early departure next day to Machu Picchu, and found a train waiting to leave. One arrived from the site too, so we were excited wee trainspotters for half an hour!!!

........post Machu Picchu, we left Ollyantaytambo early the day after our trip, and returned to Cusco via our two local buses again. In Cusco, we checked back into Marlonīs House, and generally spent the day trying to stay warm in the sun!!!
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