Peru: The Summary

Plaza de Armas in Arequipa, Peru

Days in Peru: 14 (Lima 5, Cusco 3, Puno/Lake Titicaca 2, Arequipa 3, Aguas Calientes 1)

Peru Pt. 3: Lake Titicaca, home stay with a family and floating islands!

Allie and Nelson dressed as locals on the Uros Islands.

Hola! We traveled 8 hours by bus from Cusco to Puno, a small town right next to Lake Titicaca. We spent 2 days exploring the islands on this large lake. The Uros Islands (floating islands made of reeds), Amantani Island (where we stayed with a local family for a night), and Taquile Island. We had a great time and gained a new perspective for the way these Peruvians live. We were thankful for a hot shower and running water when we left but we were so glad we took the opportunity to step into a whole new world in order to better appreciate our own. Next up will be Arequipa, Lima, and our Peru Summary!

Peru Pt. 2: Machu Picchu- disclaimer pictures DON'T do it justice!!

Allie and Nelson with the classic view of Machu Picchu. Behind the morning clouds is Huayna Picchu which we later hiked to the summit.

Everyone we spoke with about our travels to Machu Picchu stressed how beautiful and breathtaking this place was, but once we got there we realized that words or pictures did this place NO justice. Machu Picchu was built in the 1400's by the Inca empire, it was built as an estate for the Inca emperor. Located 50 miles northwest of Cusco, situated on a mountain ridge high above the Urubamba river. The site was abandoned 100 years later during the conquest of the Spanish. The advanced empire was slowly phased out by multiple factors including diseases brought by the Spanish.  In 1911 the site was rediscovered by an American archeologist Hiram Bingham. This site is located 8,040 ft above sea level. The city sits between two mountains Machu Picchu (old peak) & Huayna Picchu (young peak). The peak of Huayna Picchu is 8,920 ft above sea level, making it a perfect place to view the entire city of Machu Picchu as you can see in our pictures. The site is truly an archeological marvel. We were taken back by the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, the ingenuity of the Incan people and the peacefulness of the entire site. Enjoy our pictures of this truly amazing and unbelievable site! Next up is our home stay with a local family on Amantani Island in the middle of Lake Titicaca! Another truly unique experience!

Peru Pt. 1: Cusco- Our culture shock experience

Allie and Nelson at Inca ruins outside of Cusco, Peru

When we arrived in Cusco, Peru we were amazed at what we saw. There were so many people, a fairly large city, and we experienced some culture shock! Women carrying their children on their backs, people walking sheep down the road, and alpacas staring you in the face. It was quite the experience. Its a beautiful city rich in pride and history (and tour companies). We visited old churches built by the Spanish when they conquered Cusco and the Incas in the 1500s. They would tear down the Inca temples and build Catholic churches in their place often leaving the original Inca foundation. We flew high over the Andes, tried homemade ceviche, alpaca, and coca leaf tea, and visited some nearby ruins. Enjoy the pictures! Next to come, a whole post dedicated to Machu Picchu! (too many pictures to fit it in here!)