The Andean town of Cusco, the continent's oldest continually inhabited city, was once the Incan empire's foremost strong hold and qosq'o 'the navel of the earth'. It is now a base for planning treks to Machu Picchu or for recovering from treks to Machu Picchu.
The 800 year old streets are lined with shops selling gloves, hats, socks, blankets and jumpers not only made from alpaca wool but with alpaca patterns on too. The balconies over hanging the fountain and statue filled plaza (a supposed rival to Arequipa's) are home to cafes and restaurants and even a Starbucks. If an establishment is not a cafe or souvineer shop, it is a tour agency selling trips to... Machu Picchu.
Alex and I meet up with Jack and Claire from our Uyuni tour, having previously agreed to trek to Machu Picchu together. The most famous tour is the Inca trail, which uses many of the original Incan paths to the ancient city. It is very expensive and, because only 400 people (including guides and porters) are allowed on the trail a day, it has to be booked weeks in advance. We opt instead of the more varied and increasingly popular 'Jungle Trek' - three days of moutain biking, rafting, trekking and zip lining before a final fourth day at Machu Picchu itself. Reservations about mountain biking aside, I can't wait!
Above: The view of Cusco from my hostel
The 800 year old streets are lined with shops selling gloves, hats, socks, blankets and jumpers not only made from alpaca wool but with alpaca patterns on too. The balconies over hanging the fountain and statue filled plaza (a supposed rival to Arequipa's) are home to cafes and restaurants and even a Starbucks. If an establishment is not a cafe or souvineer shop, it is a tour agency selling trips to... Machu Picchu.
Above: Limonada frio over the Plaza de Armas
Above: One of the many local women who trawl the streets dressed in
traditional clothing and charging five soles (£1) for a photo. Many, like this one,
have a baby alpaca or lamb with them for the extra authenticity/cute factor.
Alex and I meet up with Jack and Claire from our Uyuni tour, having previously agreed to trek to Machu Picchu together. The most famous tour is the Inca trail, which uses many of the original Incan paths to the ancient city. It is very expensive and, because only 400 people (including guides and porters) are allowed on the trail a day, it has to be booked weeks in advance. We opt instead of the more varied and increasingly popular 'Jungle Trek' - three days of moutain biking, rafting, trekking and zip lining before a final fourth day at Machu Picchu itself. Reservations about mountain biking aside, I can't wait!
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