| The Nasca lines, Choquerirao and back to Cuzco |
|
|
|
| Friday, 25 July 2008 | |
|
At Santa Teresa we sleep in a hostel from where we organise our visit to the Machu Picchu. The following day, we get up at 03.30 to take the train up to Aguas Calientes. On the train there are only locals. We enjoy this 1-hour morning ride before starting the ascent on foot of the mountain where the site stands. The show offered by the Inca marvel is astonishing: one of my dreams is coming true. We walk back for 3h following a railway to get back to Santa Teresa where we make the most of hot springs to relax before carrying on our adventure. Elise only has a few days left before going back to France. We decide to make the most of it to go and visit the town of Nasca. 2 days later we meet Percy Pizzaro, a friendly character who offers to be our guide. We are really lucky because we had decided not to by a flight ticket to see the lines from above. Percy shares his knowledge and makes us discover his culture. We thank him by offering an official H2 Project shirt. The next morning, the car breaks down on a little track on our way to the Pacific ocean and we need to have it towed for many km by a local. Unfortunately, in contrast to the kindness of our guide in Nasca, the mechancs don't seem to know much (and on the top of it are drunk) and are only thinking in how much they can get out of our pocket although I find myself the problem (a bad connection). Very disappointed I decide to quickly leave Ica and try to organise a trek to Choquequirao. In Cachora, we find a guide who owns a few mules and who accepts to take us for the next 4 days. We eventually reach the site of Choquequirao 2 days later. If you are looking for adventure in Peru, I highly recommend this archeological site: 50 tourists a day on average, 1 day walking or mule-riding, accommodation in tent or "kitchen"… Elise and I are really enjoying this trek and I eventually decide to book the full trek (from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu) with the same guide for in a week time, with Mema. We drive back to Cuzco and Elise gathers some info about getting back to La Paz. She has to leave the following day, just when Mema is arriving to accompany me for the next 4 months... |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
