Machu Picchu

So we finally got to walk around where the Incas created one of most amazing cities in history and abandoned 500 years ago...wow.

Trek to Machu Picchu

We started out four day trek at 3900 meters and hiked up to Mt. Salkantay at 4625 meters the first day. 50k in 3 days. Quite a workout at this altitude. Then descended into the valley ´cloud forest´and river hopped. On the second day we entered the jungle, the third day up a mountain to see Machu Picchu from distance and the last day we found ourselves on the legendary city of the clouds. A breathtaking trek made fun and educational due to our superb guide ´Big Willie.´

We got dirty

I'm sitting on that rock above...

In Cuzco

After a brutal 10 hour nighttime bus, we arrived in Cuzco, the city of way too many steps. Just a day to recover before the big trek.

Smile!

This guy creeped me out.

Mountain biking a volcano

We headed down Mt. Chichani the last day in Arequipa. From 4900 meters up we cruised down 60 k in 2 hours. Awesome.

Santa Catalina

We visited the santa Catalina monestary in Arequipa and were quietly awed by atmosphere. I also had altitude sickness, so was a bit out of it the entire time, not sure if it added to the mystique...

Arequipa and Colca Canyon

We arrived in Arequipa Peru and headed out to Colca Canyon for two days. Elevations of 5000 meters plus and altitude sickness hit hard. But we got to see one of the deepest canyons in the world. At some points it dropped 2k behind us! Huge condors circled overhead and the vistas were stunning.