El Valle Sagrado de Los Incas

Hi all, it's great to be back and blogging our adventures through South America and Europe. I have to say this trip has started to a much different tune than the last ... As a starter no tears at the sight of our hotel (thank you Taipei) and if there had been it would have been tears of joy. The Tambo Del Inka is absolutely incredible, we arrived after 6 hours of sleep on an overnight flight and a morning of touring in Cusco and we were pretty wiped out. After an hour and a half drive we arrived in Urubamba which is the lowest point of the El Valle Sagrado de Los Incas (sacred valley). We were greeted by a wonderful staff and the largest fireplaces I've ever seen (see below). It's definitely a favorite spot in the hotel for me. Another perk, the offer coca tea in the lobby which I think has kept Will and I from suffering from any type of altitude sickness. We had attempted to take Diamox a prescription altitude drug and we both had some weird reactions and decided to do what the locals do and drink coca tea. We literally have like 5 cups a day and thankfully haven't gotten sick.

To get an idea of the altitudes we're dealing with: Right now we are around 9000 feet, Cusco is at 11,500 feet, Machu Picchu is around 10,000 feet, Pisac Ruins are around 10,500, and Ollantaytambo is around 9500 feet ... Thankful for the Coca Tea.

In front of the most amazing fire our first night at the hotel.


Dinner in Urubamba at this tiny little place Tres Keros. Will ordered a Peruvian dish which was a filet with a coffee sauce.


We made friends with the owner who was this cute Peruvian man and he made me my first Pisco Sour. It was delish.


Will in front of the terracing system used by the Incans. They literally built these giant stairs int the sides of the mountain to grow their crops. It's really incredible how they are able to do this. Al, throughout the sacred valley you can look up in the mountains and see these terraces.


Almost to the top of the Pisac Ruins. We're around 10,000 feet and you really forget how hard the altitude can make climbing, we were both winded within minutes.



Pisac Ruins.


Getting ready to hike down to the ruins. It took us about an hour to hike to the ruins and 45 minutes to get back. Over Will's shoulder to the right I'd the tone of Pisac, we had a great lunch there and checked out the market. Everything is made from Alpaca Wool and it was cook to see the types of textiles the locals sold.


During the afternoon we hiked the Ollantaytambo Ruins. I love this picture with the cop posing behind Will. At this point we were about half way up.


Another example of the terracing.


Will amazed at how the Incans were able to get these massive rocks to the top of the mountain.





The Ollantayambo Ruins behind us.





Part of the original irrigation system, the water coming down from the mountains. The Incans built these amazing waterways through every street that funerals water down from the mountains throughout the town.


Great end to the day. Having a beer on the patio at our hotel overlooking the Urubamba River.

Headed to bed, 4:30am wake-up call to catch our fight from Cusco to Lima and then Lima on to Buenos Aires. Be looking for our Machu Picchu post tomorrow.

Location:Peru