Peru (Part IV): Cusco

After our our train-ride return from Machupicchu, we boarded our motorcoach for one last ride through the Sacred Valley, bound for Cusco (capitol of the Inca empire), stopping for a few last photo-ops.





In Cusco, we stayed at the Don Carlos Cusco Hotel, across the street from the the Sun Temple, and just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. I made an early night of it, after the full morning of hiking, and with a full day scheduled for Thursday, the 23rd (and a bit of laundry to do).

We were on our way by 7:30 on Thursday morning. Our first discovery was a visit to a local cemetery, where Marco shared with us the local customs regarding the memorial sites for loved ones who have passed on.

Our next excursion was a tour of Sacsayhuaman, an often-overlooked archaeological site when the great sites of the world (Pyramids of Egypt, Machupicchu, Stonehenge, etc.) are discussed, but in many respects, just as monumental.



After touring Sacsayhuaman, and the neighboring Cristo Blanco, with its panoramic views of Cusco,





our next excursion was just up the road for a healing ceremony with a curandero.



We enjoyed a group lunch at a rotisserie restaurant (chicken, not cuy) after a visit to a silver jewelry shop. After lunch we toured Qorikancha (the Sun Temple).



One last stop in our full day was a visit to La Vicunita alpaca factory for a weaving demonstration and shopping opportunities. That evening, we had one more surprise discovery -- a folk-dancing performance at a theatre 2 doors down from our hotel.

We had a free day on Friday, but Marco (joined by his namesake son) took us on a walking tour of the city that morning.



Afterward, a few of us did some exploring and shopping (and had lunch) around the Plaza de Armas.

That evening we gathered for a pre-dinner lecture about the unfortunate recent history of terrorism in Peru, and then we had a farewell dinner (including a music-and-dance performance) at the Pachacutec Grill & Bar, on the site (and with an original wall) of Pachacutec's palace. I enjoyed the best alpaca I have ever eaten.

Time for goodbyes on Saturday. Marco saw us off from the Cusco airport, as the group flew back to Lima at mid-day. We had one more afternoon in Lima, where we did a little more shopping and enjoyed an early dinner, and a sunset over the Pacific.