Quick Update

Hello Family and Friends!  We returned to Cusco from Machu Picchu late last evening (Monday 5/29) after accomplishing the entire 28 mile Inca Trail.  What an unbelievable experience!  We are absolutely thrilled, sore and exhausted.

Today (Tuesday 5/30) we had a guided 3 hr tour of Cusco (to be detailed in another post), drank Pisco Sours, had tapas and enjoyed a massage.  Tonight we will be having a farewell dinner with the entire group before everyone heads home tomorrow (Wednesday 5/31).

Due to the amount of digital imagery and video we have assembled thus far, the posts for the last 5 days will have to wait until we get home to our production studio so the data can be parsed.  Until then we leave you with an image of Carol performing a Reverse Warrior pose at Machu Picchu, and yes that is a Bottoms Down logo shirt!

We’ll be back soon - Best to All!

Tour Days One and Two - Wednesday May 24 & Thursday May 25

It has been a busy two days touring as we travel to our lodging destination near the trailhead for the Inca Trail.

Day one the entire group packed up and departed the Novotel Hotel.  We met our guide Caesar and his lieutenant Ronald and they began immediately pointing out sights and historical facts as we drove through the city on our way to Sacsayhuaman Fortress.

There we walked up, through and around the very impressive site for over an hour.  One stop was an impressive overlook of the city of Cusco.

And this is the first of many group shots at the overlook:

Then we headed to the Museo Sulca which is a working textile factory, museum and education center preserving and advancing the Peruvian heritage of fine woven textiles.  Most of their work is with baby alpaca and llama wool.  One highlight was meeting and feeding a number of their wool production team.

Mickey seems to have a special affection for this one!

Afterward we drove down the mountain into the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the town of Pisca.  There we strolled through the market and enjoyed Empanadas.  They were fantastic and yes cooked in the oven in the background by the chef and her assistant daily.

Finally we arrived at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley Hotel, where we will stay the next two nights and prepare.

Day two was a free day for organizing gear, adventure and rest. Carol and others decided after breakfast to tour the salt mines.  On the way they passed by a tiered depression along the hillside which was used by the Incas to bring low altitude agricultural seeds and plants up to higher elevation in order to acclimate them for production in the Sacred Valley. 

Afterward they hiked the salt mines, there is much to this story and we will detail in another post.

Others spent the day riding bicycles, reading in hammocks, configuring and testing electronics and relaxing.  Tomorrow we begin the Inca Trail and will be offline for all four days.  Expect the next post Tuesday May 30th.

Until then, Be Well!

Addendum to Travel/Recovery Day in Cusco - Tuesday May 23.

This is a bit more detail for the day.  It started at 1:00am in the Lima Airport with one of the best Ceviche dishes we have ever had.  Those are seasoned and roasted kernels of corn in the lower left, FANTASTIC!

After a five hour layover, literally trying unsuccessfully to rest/snooze sitting on an airport terminal chair (were unable to get to the Priority Pass Lounge - don’t ask!), we boarded the short flight to Cusco with our packs nearly on our laps.  LATAM Airlines has very restrictive luggage and carry-on policies.

Once arriving in Cusco’s Airport we caught a taxi for a very adventurous and hair-raising ride to the Novotel Hotel, arriving around 7:00am.  Upon arrival we mentioned to the check-in desk attendant that we had been traveling for 25 hours straight and asked if it would be possible to check-in early.  

The response was no, normal check-in was at 3:00pm but a room might be ready around 11:00am or noon.  We asked if we could just hang out in the atrium area and he said certainly.  We went ahead and did all the paperwork and after paying for the room an offer was presented - an upgraded room was available immediately and the additional cost would be waived if we paid a $45 “early check-in fee” (read bribe).  The bribe was paid and we got to the room around 7:30am, where we immediately crashed.

Then came rush hour and as our room was facing the street we experienced a cacophony of honks, bleeps, shouts, engines and screeching brakes, just five feet and one story below our room’s floor to ceiling windowed balcony for about 90 minutes.  Carol and I actually only listened for about 10 minutes then slept, proving that even the dead are hard to wake up!

As mentioned the rest of the day was recovering, a couple excursions around the neighborhood and meeting most of the group joining us on the hike.  On one of our excursions we toured a famous square with a statue representing the paw of a panther.

That evening we dined at a little tapas bar specializing in making and teaching how to make Pisco called Museo del Pisco.  Pisco is the national liquor of Peru and a Pisco Sour is the national drink.  Every bar will tell you theirs is the best, similar to Bloody Marys in the US.

Of special interest at Museo del Pisco was a wall mural describing the ingredients, origins and process for making Pisco.  It is in Peruvian Spanish but the diagrams help to make out most of it.

Now for a real night’s sleep so we can begin our actual tour tomorrow.  

Goodnight!

Arrived in Cusco…

…and are recovering from over 25 hours of travel.  We stay tonite at the Novotel Hotel.

Tomorrow we begin our 7 day guided tour, the first two being spent at The Sacred Valley of the Incas. The entire group is resting and getting to know everyone.  This will be FUN!

More to Come…

Adventure One - Less than 24 Hours Away

We are excited to begin our Peru Adventure travels tomorrow with four flights over nearly 24 hours before we finally arrive in Cusco. While living in Grand Junction has amazing lifestyle advantages, especially our training grounds…

...however, international travel is not one of them.  Our airport does however connect with international hubs such as Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.  Best of all at GJT airport (https://gjairport.com/) TSA Security is such a low volume that if you wait more than 5 minutes, the checkpoint is not open.

Direct flights to Peru have limited departure locations unless one wants to connect through Mexico City or Bogata.  We have chosen a direct flight from Miami to Lima, knowing that we get to experience a number of extended layovers.  ALL GOOD!

With that being said we leave everyone with this iconic travel song from the 1960s. While not necessarily an expression of our Adventure travels, it is still an incredible classic!

Peter, Paul and Mary - Leaving On A Jet Plane (25th Anniversary Concert)

All, Keep Well!

Adventure One - Hiking the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu

The Sacred Inca Trail is a controlled 4-day, 26 mile hike that requires special permits in order to gain access.  Here is the profile and yes we do hike just shy of 14,000 ft elevation:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Appx Hrs	5.5 hours	8 hours	9 hours	3 hours
Distance	7.44 miles	6.82 miles	9.92 miles	3.72 miles
Min height	8856 ft	9840 ft	8692 ft	7872 ft
Max height	9840 ft	13825 ft	13120 ft	8856 ft
Appx Chng	1148 ft	6491 ft	6195 ft	1178 ft
Elev Gain	1148 ft	4149 ft	1784 ft	147 ft
Elev Loss	0 ft	2342 ft	4411 ft	1031 ft

Total:  27.9 miles   Total Elev Change: 15012 ft     Elevation Gain: 7228 ft     Elevation Loss:  7784

Our trip has been organized by Adventures for Solo Travelers (https://www.afstravelers.com/), which a good friend of Carol’s has coordinated many other trips over the years.  This particular trip is an over 50 adventure and a number of us are sexagenerians.  At 66 Mickey suspects that he will be the oldest in the group.  Originally our group had 20 participants but due to the previous unrest in Peru, half have canceled and we are now just a small group of 10, which will be great!

These are a couple videos of the Sacred Inca Trail experience:

youtube.com/watch?v=yAbEedMLVc4&t=18s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD6HGqGLhEA

Here is our specific trip itinerary:

May 22 (Tuesday) Depart USA - via Lima to Cusco. Arrive 6:25am. 

Stay at Hotel Novatel Cusco and acclimate to altitude for two days.

May 24 (Wednesday)  CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY ARRIVAL You will be transferred to your Sacred Valley hotel, on the way you will visit the Sacsayhuaman Fortress built of enormous stone blocks expertly shaped by the Incas it is strategically located at the top of a hill overlooking the city of Cuzco. Continue to the town of Pisac to visit its lively market, where local artisans sell their wares, from alpaca clothing and accessories to silver jewelry, pottery pieces, and the like. Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel in Sacred Valley.  Overnight at Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley Hotel.

Accommodations:  Casa Andina, 5to Paradero Yanahurar, Cusco, Peru  Phone: +51 984 765 501

May 25 (Thursday)  SACRED VALLEY B

Breakfast at Hotel. Enjoy a day at leisure.

Hike Day 1: May 26 (Friday) YOUR TREK BEGINS! INCA TRAIL HIKE - SACRED VALLEY- HUAYLLABAMBA B, L, D

Breakfast at the hotel and then this morning group will start their 3 night/ 4 Day Inca Trail Hike

INCA TRAIL - You will be picked up from your hotel in Sacred Valley and transferred to Ollantaytambo, where you will have time to do some last-minute shopping before starting your trek. You will then head to Piscacucho community, at Km. 82, where you will find the starting point of your excursion. You will take the course and walk about 3 hours along the Urubamba River, enjoying unparalleled landscapes and beautiful wildlife along the route. You will arrive to Willca  Racay at the archaeological complex of Llaqtapata, where you will have some time to enjoy and appreciate the ruins have lunch and rest before continuing with your walk. You will resume the journey to ascend to the community of Huayllabamba, where the camp will be established. 

Hike Day 1: 5.5 hours approx. 

Walking distance: 12 km / 7.44 miles 

Min height: 2700 masl / 8856 feet   

Max height: 3000 masl / 9840 feet

Difficulty ranking: 2 of 5. 

Campsite: Huayllabamba at 9,840 ft. Terrain: Plains and valleys

Included in the Inca Hike: Camping gear: Brand The North Face tent Four Season Mountain 25, Inflatable mattress Therm-a-rest, Personal duffle bag 7kls / 15.43 lbs., Dinning, tent, cook tent, bathroom tent, Kitchen dishes Bilingual speaking guide (Spanish – English) Entrance fee to the Inca trail, Private transportation to Piscacucho (where the trek begins) Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Sacred Valley hotel or Cusco hotel. (Fourth day), Bus one way (fourth day), Vistadome train until Ollantaytambo (Fourth day), Full meals during the trek (3 Breakfast, 3 wake up tea, 3 snacks, 3 Lunch, 3 Teatime ,3 Dinners) Filtered and boiled water, Chef and supporting staff, Porters for passenger’s luggage and camping equipment First aid kit, walkie-talkies, oxygen and sleeping bags

Hike Day 2: May 27 (Saturday) INCA TRAIL HIKE - HUAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO B, L, D

After a healthy breakfast, you will begin to ascend towards the first and highest pass of the Warmiwañusca route (4215 m.a.s.l./ 13825 ft), from where you will have a spectacular view of the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota Mountain ranges. This ascent will take you almost all morning, arriving at Lllulluchapata at lunchtime. After having time to rest and eat, you will continue your walk (see note below) to Pacaymayo, where the camp will be set up at 3600 masl / 11808 ft, basically the most challenging day of the walk.

Hike Day 2: 8 hours approx. 

Total walking distance: 11 km / 6.82 miles

Min height: 3000 masl /9840 ft 

Max height: 4215 masl / 13825 ft

Difficulty ranking: 4 of 5

Campsite: Pacaymayo at 12,500 ft  Terrain: Valleys, mountains

Hike Day 3: May 28 (Sunday) INCA TRAIL - PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA B, L, D

Your third day of trekking will begin with an ascent to the second step, Runcuracay, which is a little lower than the first one (4000 m.a.s.l./ 13120 ft). Then, you will descend for a couple of hours to Phuyupatamarca, where you can rest and have lunch surrounded by the beauty of the place. At the end of your lunch, you will continue your journey to Wiñaywayna, enjoying the view of the snowy mountains and the valley as you go. Finally, you will arrive at the area where you will camp. This day is the longest of the entire walk, passing through cloud forests and visiting a few archeological sites built by The Incas.

Hike Day 3: 9 hours approx. 

Total walking distance: 16 km / 9.92 miles

Min height: 2650 masl / 8692 ft

Max height: 4000 masl / 13120

Difficulty ranking: 3 of 5

Campsite: Winayayna at 9,200 ft   Terrain: Valley, mountains, tropical mountains, woods

Hike Day 4: May 29 (Monday) INCA TRAIL - WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO B, L

Your last day will also start very early and with an energetic breakfast. The journey will start towards Inti Punku, or Sun Gate, from where you will have an impressive view of Machu Picchu. You will walk a little more and you will find yourself inside Machu Picchu, where after a short break your guide will explain the history, organization, and mysteries of the place. At the end of the almost 2-hour tour, you will board the bus that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have lunch and some free time. Then, you will board the Vistadome train that will take you back to Ollantaytambo station, from where you will be taken to your hotel in Cusco to check-in. Overnight at Novotel Cusco, Standard room (2 Nights) www.novotel.com

Hike Day 4: 3 hours approx. 

Total walking distance: 6 km / 3.72 miles

Min height: 2400 masl / 7872 ft

Max height: 2700 masl / 8856 ft

Difficulty ranking: 2 of 5 Distance.

May 30 (Tuesday) CUSCO – HALF DAY WALKING TOUR B, D

Everyone always loves Cusco. Breakfast at hotel and today enjoy a half-day private walking tour through the streets of Cusco. Take a tour of Cusco, the imposing Imperial City, an example of the harmonious coexistence between the Andean and Spanish cultures. You will start with a visit to the Main Plaza, where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city. Then, you will continue by foot until you reach the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, on which the order of the Dominicans built a church, which remains standing to this day. Your tour will finish with a visit to the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, also known as “the artists' district”, the cradle of well known folk artisans, with its narrow and winding streets and its popular art and knick-knacks shops. Incredible retail therapy here. Later at night, you will be transferred to Tunupa Restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner. Tunupa is in the heart of the majestic Inca city of Cusco, offers you an impressive view of the main square and its surroundings. We toast each other goodbye with a journey well done until next year.

Overnight at Novotel Cusco

May 31(Wednesday) -  Transfer to airport for flights home.

More to come -