Day 6 - Cusco
Woke up at 4:45 to have our luggage picked up, get breakfast and leave for the airport by y6:00am. A morning flight brings us into Cuzco. This city is at an elevation of 11,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains.
Landed in Cusco!
Our bus took us further up the mountain to Saqsaywaman (pronounced “sexy woman”). Just as we entered the historic site, it started to rain and the wind picked up. Our guides decided to change plans and take us to our lunch spot, just 5 min down the road. It was 1:30 and most of us were hungry since we had breakfast at 5:30. Lunch was pretty good. We had a buffet style lunch with chicken, soup, veggies and fruit for dessert.
Lunch restaurant
After lunch, we returned to Saqsaywaman. This is a large area built by the Incas that really highlights their architectural skills with massive, precisely fitted stones weighing up to 125 tons. Once a vital ceremonial and militant site for the Incas, it also provided a great stronghold against the Spanish invasion.
Saqsaywaman
Check out the intricate cutting done to fit these massive stones together.
Our bus then took us to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and a the town of Pisac, once the largest fortress complex of the Incas. It was designed with terraced fields in the shape of a partridge (or pisaca, hence the name sake).
We stopped at the Mercado Artesanal market where we were able to shop for Peruvian crafts and souvenirs. Sandy was able to fulfill her dream of holding a baby alpaca. I got a nice Silver bracelet and Sandy got a silver ring with orange and purple shells inlaid into it.
The Market place.
Sandy and a baby alpaca.
The town also features statues of Guinea pigs everywhere. Here they raise them for food not pets!
Guinea Pig statue in Pisa
Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
After shopping, we caught our bus to our hotel, the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness.
It was a long day and most of us just crashed after eating dinner at the hotel. Time to rest for the next day.
