Archive for December, 2014

Peru – Day 8 – Moray, Chinchero, and Inca Musuem

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

Moray Agriculture Panorama
Moray Agriculture Panorama

Outside Chinchero Walls
Outside the Chinchero Walls

Chinchero Panorama
Chinchero Panorama!

On Thursday, we said goodbye to the folks heading to hike on the Inca Trail and then headed back to Cusco. On the way back, we stopped at the important Inca Agriculture center at Moray and then visited the ancient Inca settlement at Chinchero.

El Paisa - A Sampler of the Sea
When we got back to Cusco, we went out to eat at an amazing locals restaurant, El Paisa , where we enjoyed live music and ate until we were completely stuffed!

Inca Museum Courtyard
Clare, Dennis, Laura, and Larisse at the Inca Musuem
Then, we walked off the huge lunch with a visit to the Inca Musuem.

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Peru – Day 7 – Corcoro Village Cultural Experience

Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

Laguna Piuray
Laguna Piuray, on our way to Corcoro

Corcoro
Corcoro Ladies

Wool Cleaning Demonstration
Process of Cleaning and Dying Wool

On Wednesday, Dennis and I joined the rest of our Intrepid Travel group on a cultural visit to a small mountain village called Corcoro. Dennis was still feeling under the weather, so I was hoping today’s activities weren’t too taxing.

On the schedule, was a trip to the mountain village where we would learn traditional field plowing methods, the art of weaving, experience a traditional country lunch, play some soccer, learn how to make Chicha (fermented corn drink!), and end the day in Ollyantaytambo.

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Peru – Day 6 – Cusco Walking Tour

Tuesday, December 16th, 2014

Hotel Warwari Room 503
Hotel Warari – Room Number 503 – An excellent interior room, with 3 beds, on the 5th floor (quiet)!

Cusco Panorama from Hotel Warwari Rooftop Patio
View of Cusco from Hotel Warari rooftop!

Convent De Santo Domingo - Entrance
Convent De Santo Domingo Entrance

The Coca Museum
Our Tour Group in The Coca Musuem

On Tuesday, Dennis was not feeling well. He had major stomach problems, so he slept in while I enjoyed breakfast. We had to check out of the hotel and move to the Hotel Warari, to start our Intrepid Travels tour. We later met our tour group and took a walking tour of Cusco, which included a tour of the Coca Musuem. Then, for dinner, we went out to eat as a group and called it an early night.

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Peru – Day 5 – Mountain Biking to The Salt Mines

Monday, December 15th, 2014

Mountain Biking in Peru
Dennis Mountain Biking in Peru

Tiobamba Town Monument - Moray
Tiobamba Town Monument. The Green circles represent the Inca crop experimentation site at Moray!

Peruvian Mountain Biking
Sacred Valley View

Ready To Drop Into Single Track
Descending to the Salt Mines

The Salt Mines
The Salt Mines

I was sick the entire day, following the rafting adventure. I was sad to miss out on the mountain bike ride to the salt mines; as I had heard it was a classic. Dennis ended up going without me and he had a fun time. The mountain bike ride lasted for ~4 hours and was a combination of dual and single track. Dennis said he had to get off the bike once or twice, but other than that it was a very moderate level.

Peru – Day 4 – River Rafting the Urubumba

Sunday, December 14th, 2014

Ready to Raft!
Suited Up!

Group Rafting Shot
Rafting Groups Ready to Ride the Waves

Rapids on the Urubumba
We Battle the Urubumba

On Sunday, we joined a rafting group, through Peru Rafting company to ride the waves of the Urubumba River. We wanted to ride upstream of the more polluted parts of the Urubumba and supposedly, the spot we went to was cleaner. It may have been cleaner, but it was still brown and muddy looking…The rapids were a lot of fun, but not as exciting as the Brown’s Canyon rafting in Colorado, or the Kicking Horse River, near Banff, Canada. It was mostly class 3 rapids with one section of class 4.

Also, both Dennis and I got sick after rafting and I’m not sure if this was from the river water or from the food they served us. So, in the end, while we had a fun time that day, I don’t think I’d recommend rafting. Better to stick to Mountain Biking, Hiking, or other Cultural things.

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