Peru is NOT for the Faint of Heart: Part III - Cuzco and Lake Titicaca (PLUS some helpful hints)

Peru is NOT for the Faint of Heart

Part III – Cuzco and Lake Titicaca 
(PLUS some helpful hints)

After Jeff and K.C. finished their hike to Huayna Picchu, we traveled via the Vista Dome train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.  We took our private transfer to an amazing lunch at Wayra. We dined family style on traditional Peruvian cuisine with gorgeous views of the Sacred Valley. During lunch, we watched a horse show and saw Peruvian dancing.

After lunch, we met the Callanaupa family (see next pic below) for a traditional weaving demonstration. This was definitely one of my highlights of this trip. The Callanaupa sisters have organized local women into a weaving cooperative to help them support their families. They have rediscovered traditional weaving patterns that have disappeared over time. We watched the women dye the wool using traditional methods of using natural dyes.  Of course, I had to buy their amazing, colorful products! 

After our weaving demonstration, we drove to the Orient Express, Monasterio Hotel (see next pic below). The Monasterio Hotel is housed in a 16th century monastery. It has maintained its original Spanish colonial architecture. This is a lovely hotel in the best part of Cusco. Beware: they drive crazy in Peru and the driver has the right of way, not the pedestrian.

For dinner, we had a wonderful surprise at the MAP museum. We had a private dinner with 5 courses after the museum had closed. What a great experience!

The following morning, we had a general tour of the highlights of Cusco. This included the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral which had 400 canvasses of the distinguished Escuela Cusquena. Our group left for the States and Jeff and I stayed 1 more night in Cuzco dining across the Plaza at the Inketerra hotel.

To get to Lake Titicaca (see pic above), we had to take a 7:20 am flight…OUCH! It was worth it!

We flew to Juliaca which is a horrible city with a decent airport. We drove 1 hour through Puno to get to visit our first excursion….another highlight….the Uros People living on Lake Titicaca in reed houses on their 27 floating islands. This was a complete wonder! We sat with a family and learned about their distinct culture with our fantastic guide, Julio Cesar. It turned out that Julio Cesar’s family lived on the floating island. After our visit, we continued driving to our destination, the Lake Titilaka Lodge which was directly on Lake Titicaca. The Lodge is located on its own private peninsula with amazing views. Lake Titicaca is the highest of the world’s large lakes at 12,500 feet above sea level. This was the only destination that both of us required oxygen. All meals are included with the Lake Titilaka Lodge. We had the corner suite which had views of sunrise and sunset. Our room was minimalistic and interesting. It was one of those Zen moments…

The following morning we went to visit Taquile Island via a one hour boat ride. We met local people and saw the way that they lived. They made us quinoa soup and served us tea. They also danced for us and showed us the way that they wove their handicrafts. Their technique was different from the Callanaupa sisters…the weaving is tighter. This is not an easy way of life to say the least. We hiked up to the Plaza which was at the top of the Llacastiti peak….yes, I hiked! THEN, to return to the boat, we had to walk down over 500 rocky steps.

The next morning, we relaxed and drove the 2 hours back to Julica to begin our journey home.

HELPFUL HINTS:

Hiking shoes are a must!

Discuss altitude medication with your doctor

Take your camera – you will need it.

Stop and listen to what the different people have to say. Their way of life is simple and hard and definitely worth listening to.

Enjoy a Pisco sour.

Visit Peru…it will amaze you!