I had the most awful night of the trip. My stomach was on fire, my head was aching and I could not sleep. When I finally vomited all my lunch and dinner out, I could find a bit of rest. The car picked us up and brought us to the train station from where we took a bus to Ollantaytambo. There we changed into a luxury train service (Vistadome) to Aquas Calientes.
We left a part of our luggage in a restaurant and took another bus up to Machu Picchu (20 min). Several times we had to show our passports already, the entrance was another check point. We followed the path and then stood on a terrace looking out on Machu Picchu and Huyana Picchu.
We made some initial pictures and moved forward to the next check point and entrance to the hike up Huyana Picchu.
The top view should be amazing. Our special ticket was for climbing up between 10 and 11 am (the last for the day, an earlier one starts at 7 am). We started first down, then up, down and up again. In between, the rain started. Soaked through to our skin and still far from the summit, we decided to turn around. The stone steps back were already slippery enough and the summit was clouded. We waited in a covered area for the rain to cease. When it became lighter we exited to the Cafe and toilets and drank the most expensive tea ever. We returned to Aquas Calientes, dried off, ate lunch. In the afternoon, we bought another bus ticket (24 USD) and went back up in sunshine.
We stayed till the sight closed and as we had to wait for a bus to bring is down, we nearly missed our train. The attendants served us a small dinner and put on a cultural and fashion show. In Ollantaytambo, we were exhausted and fell right into bed.
Vistadome in Ollantaytambo
We left a part of our luggage in a restaurant and took another bus up to Machu Picchu (20 min). Several times we had to show our passports already, the entrance was another check point. We followed the path and then stood on a terrace looking out on Machu Picchu and Huyana Picchu.
We made some initial pictures and moved forward to the next check point and entrance to the hike up Huyana Picchu.
Machu Picchu and Huyana Picchu
The top view should be amazing. Our special ticket was for climbing up between 10 and 11 am (the last for the day, an earlier one starts at 7 am). We started first down, then up, down and up again. In between, the rain started. Soaked through to our skin and still far from the summit, we decided to turn around. The stone steps back were already slippery enough and the summit was clouded. We waited in a covered area for the rain to cease. When it became lighter we exited to the Cafe and toilets and drank the most expensive tea ever. We returned to Aquas Calientes, dried off, ate lunch. In the afternoon, we bought another bus ticket (24 USD) and went back up in sunshine.
Touching the top of Huyana Picchu
Better weather in the afternoon
Coca plant - the leafs should help with the altitude
The lama does not like me,
but Heidi.
I woke up the next morning with a cold that got worse and both of us struggled with altitude sickness. Nonetheless, we started our trek later on horses to Laguna Ipsayqocha. After another sleepless night (this time in tent above 4200 m) and both feeling bad, we returned to Ollantaytambo instead of continuing. The last hour walking down, sun came out and I got an sunburn. The spent of rest of day eating chocolate and sleeping.
Start of the Trekking
Rain started before we left the valley
Up the mountain we ride
our camp at Laguna Ipsayqocha
Feeling better the next day, we went by car to see some Inca sites. We did not make it to the thermal springs as a road block by local people blocked us, Instead we drove to the Salinas de Maras, walk to the salt pools and bought salt to bring home.
Our cook and driver prepared a delicious lunch in the front yard. We returned to Cusco visiting a small zoo with condors and bears and a textile store.
Las Salinas de Maras
Our cook and driver prepared a delicious lunch in the front yard. We returned to Cusco visiting a small zoo with condors and bears and a textile store.
Spectacular bears
natural dyes
condor flying
After a day of relax in Cusco, we went for another trek to Vinicunca - or the rainbow colored mountain. We got horses to carry us most of way, but the altitude, my cold and exhaustion were getting to me. I could not smile above 5000 m and due to the clouds and rain the colors were not really visible.
Vinicunca - I cannot smile above 5000 m
The next 36 hours we spent in Cusco exploring the city, wool stores, getting my Mac charger repaired and devouring Peruvian food.
Heidi in baby alpaca wool heaven
Tasty
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