Day 29 -- Sacred Valley

Tonight I am in Calientes, a 30 minute bus ride below Machu Picchu and the end of the train line up the Sacred Valley.  Has been another hectic day, and the first marred a little by light rain.

Started out at 7.30 am, and after hotel pickups were changed into buses by language groups.  Headed north out of Cusco over the high pass we visited yesterday, and descended into the Sacred Valley.  This runs for some 200 km between towering Andean peaks, and the rivers that runs through it empties into the Amazon as its largest tributary.  First stop was Pisaq archeological park.  Here are many Incan ruins.  It was a place of purification, and the water baths and canals still exist.  The hills nearby are intricately terraced, not so much for agriculture but to provide protection for erosion.  At the peak of the terraces they built their food storehouses which needed protection of watchtowers and safety from landslide.  In the cliff faces of one of the hills are many caves.  This is the local Incan cemetery.  Originally after burial they would have been sealed, but the Spanish turned grave robbers looking for valuables that by tradition were buried with the Inca. 

Next we visited a village noted for its weaving and metal work... The usual mandatory factory stop!  We had a demonstration by silversmiths of the artistry, using high grade silver mines nearby, with polished stones from the river.  Beautiful work, but also a beautiful price.  Medallion and matching ear rings $600 minimum. Lunch was further down the road at a hacienda where they had a semi-enclosed buffet BBQ set up.  I dug in, planning to skip having to go out to dinner tonight!

Next stop, and by now it was raining lightly, was the Ollantaytambo archeological park.  This involved a very intricate set of stone terraces leading up to the watchtowers and fortification at the top.  267 steps.  I walked to the lower platform to listen the the guide's historical and features talk, then went back to a cafeteria where I warmed myself with a hot chocolate while I waited for the rest to do the climb and return.  No way would I have made more than 20 steps without collapsing in a coughing fit.  Even without the oxygen starvation of altitude I am now unable to handle steep climbs.  Know thy limits!

Was 4pm by now, so I was dropped off at the Ollantaytambo rail station for the 4.30 Inca Rail run to Calientes.  Executive class in plush leather seats with a snack service provided.  Spectacular views of the Andes looming overhead as we traveled west.  Was met at station by my "personal" guide, a plesant local with good English.  He will take me by bus to Machu Picchu in the morning, then give me a personal guided tour for 3 hours.  We have negotiated to head off at 8 am (I think he would have been happy with 6 am, but I need to be sensible about how long I can keep walking).

I have reasonable wifi tonight, so will put up yesterday's and today's photos, but the captions will have to wait till I am a little less weary.  Take a look Here.