After the Ice Maiden, views of volcanoes, cathedrals, and an
amazing market in Arequipa, we were off to Cusco, the Inca capital. From Cusco, we were going to hike the
Salkantay trek to Macchu Picchu.
We arrived in Cusco in the evening, found our hostel, ate at a little local place for next to nothing, then our heads quickly hit the pillow for lights out! The next day after getting information about the trek, getting our free T-shirts form Peru hop, John getting his zipper on his jacket repaired and a hearty cheap lunch at the market, we headed over to the Plaza De Armas for a free walking tour of Cusco. We were 20 minutes late but it was okay. We witnessed a Catholic procession and took in the sights of the beautiful square. The tour was really good for free (the guides make their money off tips so it’s not completely free but still cheap). The last stop on the tour was a nice little bar where we got free pisco sours (the drink of Peru consisting of Pisco, lime juice, sugary stuff, and an egg white). Life was good! The San Pedro Market in Cusco is an amazing place to get cheap food.
Hawie and I then headed off to
find small backpacks. Our day packs were
too small for a week out and back.
Often you will use a place as a home base for your things and do a few days
or a week away and the hostel will store your extra stuff for free then you
don’t have to lug all your life around with you. We did not have packs that
were big enough or sufficient enough to do so, therefore we were on a mission
to find some. We found a great local place that sells and rents gear. The man
who ran the place obviously had a passion for trekking and the mountains! We
had a long talk about his passion, the Himalaya Mountains and his love over all
for the beauty of nature. We got a great
deal on some nice packs and were quite pleased.
A few days later we booked our trek for Salkantay! We had a few days of
rest in between where we applied for jobs and did some maintenance. The trek
is booked, we have one more day to get all our stuff ready and at 4:30am on
Sunday morning we depart!
Cusco is a beautiful! It’s like a mix between old Europe and modern Inca culture. There are Cathedrals and woman in traditional Inca dress walking around to cobblestone streets. The atmosphere is amazing.
Housing: Atawkama Hostel Dorm 25 Soles/bed and private shared bathroom 29 Soles/person
Food: Cheap and set menus if you eat at local places. Tourist places are pretty expensive. Best food and deals are at the San Pedro Market!
We arrived in Cusco in the evening, found our hostel, ate at a little local place for next to nothing, then our heads quickly hit the pillow for lights out! The next day after getting information about the trek, getting our free T-shirts form Peru hop, John getting his zipper on his jacket repaired and a hearty cheap lunch at the market, we headed over to the Plaza De Armas for a free walking tour of Cusco. We were 20 minutes late but it was okay. We witnessed a Catholic procession and took in the sights of the beautiful square. The tour was really good for free (the guides make their money off tips so it’s not completely free but still cheap). The last stop on the tour was a nice little bar where we got free pisco sours (the drink of Peru consisting of Pisco, lime juice, sugary stuff, and an egg white). Life was good! The San Pedro Market in Cusco is an amazing place to get cheap food.
Hawie and I then headed off to
find small backpacks. Our day packs were
too small for a week out and back.
Often you will use a place as a home base for your things and do a few days
or a week away and the hostel will store your extra stuff for free then you
don’t have to lug all your life around with you. We did not have packs that
were big enough or sufficient enough to do so, therefore we were on a mission
to find some. We found a great local place that sells and rents gear. The man
who ran the place obviously had a passion for trekking and the mountains! We
had a long talk about his passion, the Himalaya Mountains and his love over all
for the beauty of nature. We got a great
deal on some nice packs and were quite pleased.
A few days later we booked our trek for Salkantay! We had a few days of
rest in between where we applied for jobs and did some maintenance. The trek
is booked, we have one more day to get all our stuff ready and at 4:30am on
Sunday morning we depart!Cusco is a beautiful! It’s like a mix between old Europe and modern Inca culture. There are Cathedrals and woman in traditional Inca dress walking around to cobblestone streets. The atmosphere is amazing.
Housing: Atawkama Hostel Dorm 25 Soles/bed and private shared bathroom 29 Soles/person
Food: Cheap and set menus if you eat at local places. Tourist places are pretty expensive. Best food and deals are at the San Pedro Market!
I love cobblestone streets! Amanda www.livinginafrica.net
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