Travel and Inca Trails

I can hardly believe it, but I'm going to Peru! It's something I've been wanting to do for a long, long time, and that I didn't think would even be possible, thanks to the increasingly inflated airfare currently plaguing the world. But thanks to a wonderful travel agency, I'm on my way.

We leave this Saturday morning for Lima, where we'll be staying for a day. Then we'll head off to Cusco (which means "Navel of the world" in Quechu) for a few days. From there we'll make our way to the Valle Sagrado, or Sacred Valley. Valle Sagrado is embraced between the towns of Písac and Ollantaytambo. It has wonderful landscapes where its inhabitants, native of the Quechua ethnic, conserve many customs and ancestral rites. The foundation of Ollantaytambo, where we'll be headed, is attributed to Ollántay (the titan of the Andes), and the military fortress that protected this area of the valley prevails strategically located between two mountains. This fortress, and also the rich Inca archaeological locations, conformed by the temple to Inti (god sun), the icamisana, the spas of the Ñustas (princesses), the chullpas of Cachiccata, a group of terraces symmetrical and steep stairs in the slope of a hill, are all on our list of places to see.

Then, of course, for the piece de resistance, we're going to Machu Picchu. I'm most excited about this part. We're staying in Aguas Calientes, the nearest town, overnight, so that we can return up the mountain on the second day. I've read so much about it recently, and I've gotten so many first-hand accounts from people that have traveled there, and it seems like a beautiful, mystical, breathtaking place to visit. I can hardly wait! I've charged up the camera and packed my comfy shoes, so hopefully many pictures will follow. Wish me good travels!