We went to Peru for a couple of weeks in October 2006. We went to Cusco and hung around there for a few days (stayed at the Prisma Hotel) and we did a one day Sacred Valley tour. We did a too day jungle hike to Machu Picchu. After a couple for days of hanging around Cusco we went on our 6 day Ausangate Trek. We met many indigenous Quechua people and most were dressed in traditional costume. Ausangate is a sacred mountain to the these herders who believe this is where llamas & alpacas originated. We slept in tents for 5 nights(slept at 15000 feet 3 nights) and trekked passes over 17000 feet. We had lots of weather from hot sun, to rain, to snow. We were the only 2 tourists on the trek (and maybe the entire mountain) and we had a guide, a cook, and 2 wranglers. The food for all meals as unreal feeding us foods such as banana pancakes, trout with pineapple, homemade soups, and great snacks.
All our treks we did were via www.sunriseperu.com. They were very good and we highly recommended them. questions about the treks... email me ... david@botterill.com
When Carolin and her mom went to Peru in March they met Sabina. This is in the central square of Cusco called Plaza D'Armas where we spent many hours sitting and relaxing.
A church in the square.
Another view of the square. The balconies were a nice place to have a bite and a drink and watch the world go by.
At the market in Cusco. They sold everything you could imagine there.
In Peru many people make Chicha made from corn. When they have it ready to sell (out of their houses) they put up a pole with a red flag on it. We wanted to try it but they didnt want us to due to the way it is fermented. Chicha is a fermented beverage brewed by the indigenous people of the Andean region, dating back to the Inca Empire when women were taught the techniques of brewing chicha
Kids came running when they heard Carolin was giving out pencils and candies.
These little girls are wearing authentic outfits.
Kids in Peru like you to take their picture. They like to ask for a sole (35 cents)
When the train we were on stopped many locals came to sell to us. In Peru the corn is huge and sweet and served with a piece of cheese. We bought some from this lady.
This waterfall was on the jungle hile to Machu Pichu.
Our guide Coco gives Carolin some info about some Inca ruins called Wiñayhuayna.
Wiñayhuayna at a distance. The are many many terraces on the hills of Peru. The farmers would use every inch of land for their crops.
We were lucky to have sun shine when we went to Machu Picchu.
Carolin "hangs on" at the top of Huayna Picchu with over looks Machu Picchu.
Looking down at Machu Picchu from the to of Huayna Picchu.
IN case you wanted to go to the hot springs. (we didnt rent any!!)
We knew we were in for a good trip with a driver named Jesus and a bus named Bruce!
A local bus in Tinka.
In Tinka in the market the crowds gathered for this guy selling the "slicer dicer".
We took a few hundred Canada pencils, many candies, notebooks and clothing to give to the locals. The kids loved getting this stuff.
We were lucky to be in Tinka on Market day.
A local dressed in his traditional outfit. The dress up more on market days
In our kitchen tent our wranglers girls liked to get their pictures takes.
A local with a traditional foot plow that they have used for hundreds of years.
Carolin and David at the original Inca gateway to Cusco
Let the trek begin!!
Ausangate Trek http://www.sunriseperu.com/Ausangate.htm
We didnt meet many people on the trek. Most of the people we did meet were always knitting or sewing or making hats while watching their herds of Llamas and Alpacas
Carolin sitting in front of a sacred glacier.
This LLama surprised me when I was "at the washroom"!
Our guide Yamil and Carolin chat while waitng for the cook to make lunch
Our horses get a well deserved break.
We heard a large "crack" and then saw the some of the glacier avalanche into the lake.
Our guide, Jamil, and our wranglers daughter, Lidia take a break to see the sights.
At the top of the highest pass (17,300 feet).
Our guide Crispan really wanted us to take a picture of daugther and favorite horse.
Sometimes we needed a toque.
A local girl came to visit us with her lamb.
We were away for Hannah's 10th birthday so we made a tribute to her at the top of a pass.
A magical lake were the locals go for special ceremonies.
We went back to this lake at night and were in awe of the stars reflecting off it.
A local family came to our camp and sold us some of the good that they made.
THere were 2 hot springs on the trek our in the middle of nowhere. They came in handy after 5 days of no showers.
Our campsite. Carolin and I slept in the small tent. The other 4 slept in the kitchen.
A local selling Coca leaves in Tinka. Coca is an important staple in Peru. We had coca tea every day as well chewed it on the trek. It helps circulation, digestion, and reduces altitude sickness.
Carolin sitting down to a nice breakfast of banana pancakes in chocolate sauce.
A cow inspecting the guys putting up our tent.