Cusco

In preparation for the Inca Trail, our tour company suggested that we spend 2-3 days in Cusco City at 3350m to acclimatize to the altitude. Cusco was the historical site of the Inca Empire and was declared a world heritage site in 1983. The architecture has Spanish and Inca influences, and the original cobbled streets are very narrow and busy. 

Our unofficial restaurant club made our time in Cusco very enjoyable.  The members were Chris (Aussie), Jeremy (British, but lived in Nambia for sometime) and Monika (Swiss), and Neil (Brit). We met outside the cathedral each day to start our restaurant search, be it for lunch, tea and cake, or dinner. The one day, a few of the club members hiked up to the Cristo Blanco, a white statue of Christ that overlooks the city. The view was an adequate reward for our efforts!

We weren't able to do the original Inca Trail, as it had sold out months ago, but there were some great alternatives. We chose to do a 3 day trek called Huchuy Qosqo, which ends in Machu Piccho, one of the 7 wonders of the world. But more about that in the next post...



Cusco Main Square and our hostel

The Main Square



A local festival



Dinner at a Peruvian Restaurant (Bottom right is Guinea Pig, their local delicacy)

Top of Christo Blanco, with Monika and Jeremy



The locals love their fresh juices here. Bottom right: traditional ladies holding baby Lama´s



Another evening of great dining