Machu Ruins
Returning from the hike from Huayna we took a short rest alongside one of the terraces near the sacred plaza. After resting for 15min. we started exploring the ruins in the early afternoon sun. During the midday hours the amount of people in the park begins to swell. But even with all the people, the 360 degree views and amazing ruins makes Machu Picchu one awesome place to visit! The architecture alone is something that one has to just marvel at. Its no wonder that it was chosen as one… Read More
Temple of the Moon
In order to get to the Temple of the Moon a guide finally told us that we needed to go back towards the summit and connect to the trail there. So after heading back to the summit we found the trail and began a steep descent down into the cloud forest. Passing a few ladders and dense forest we finally arrived at a clearing and some ruins. When we arrived at the Temple of the Moon there were only a few other people… Read More
Huayna Picchu
The steep climb up is definitely worth the effort as the views on top of Huayna are spectacular! In every direction you look you can see the dense cloud forest and steep mountain walls. I was hoping to do a panorama on the summit but it was too crowded with other visitors. The side facing M.P. was probably my favorite area to explore as the steep stairs made for some great overlooks. After exploring for a little longer we went in search for the trail… Read More
Hike up
After waiting in line for a little bit our turn finally came to enter the mountain. Once we signed in we started climbing up the steep Inca stairs leading to the summit. As we climbed higher and higher the ruins of Machu Picchu looked less and less familiar. The size of Huayna Picchu is pretty deceptive while hiking due to the dense vegetation but it towers over 1000ft above M.P. Along the way there are many steep drop offs and for people afraid of heights,… Read More
Machu Picchu
We arrived in Aguas Caliente late last night and after finding our hostel decided to try and hike up Huayna Picchu this morning. Huayna Picchu is the iconic mountain that serves as a backdrop to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Today the park limits the number of passes to the mountain to only 400 a day (200 per group, 1 early/1 late). It being a weekend we knew we had to be one of the first at M.P. to be ensured of a pass. After… Read More
Pinkuylluna
While exploring the town we noticed a sign that read Pinkuylluna. The sign pointed towards a trail the traveled up the mountain and a few ruins. Knowing that sun was setting soon we got up there as fast as we could. Once there we had a wonderful view of the sunset, ruins, and town beneath us. It was if everything went silent and you could almost feel the Incas. These buildings were used by the Incas to store grain which was farmed on the terraces to the west. Before it started to… Read More
Ollantaytambo
Arriving in Ollantaytambo a few hours before our train departure we decided to grab some dinner and explore parts of the town. While my group ordered some food I decided to head towards the ruins on the west of the town. When I got there I noticed that they were charging a steep fee at the entry gate. Seeing I didn’t want to spend any extra money, I decided to take a few pictures and walk back to the restaurant. Once we finished… Read More
To Ollan
We found a taxi/van that would take us to Ollantaytambo only a few blocks from our hostel. As we left the Cuzco we can see the Andes looming over the horizon, which reminded me of the San Juans in southern Colorado. After passing many small towns we eventually dropped down into the sacred valley where one could see the Urubamba river. Following the river we started to see more and more of the Incan ruins dotting the hillsides. About two hours after leaving… Read More
Old Walls
Walking down from the Christo Blanco we encountered a couple of llamas milling around the stone paths. Up close they are rather interesting looking animals, and to me they were very similar to a camel minus the long hair. Along the streets we also saw a few locals with their pet alpaca. The alpaca has a smaller stature and softer hair than that of a llama. Arriving in the Plaza de Armas we ate some comfort breakfast food at McDonald’s, albeit with a Peruvian flavor that tasted much better than in… Read More
Christo Blanco
Before leaving Cuzco this morning we thought we’d visit Saqsaywaman and see some of the ruins without the hoards of people from the day before. Instead of walking up the hill we took a small taxi up to the entrance to the park where we realized that they had a steep entrance fee. The fee would also cover other parks but since we didn’t have much time to spare we decided to venture on to the Christo Blanco which was nearby… Read More
Plaza de Armas
After sitting down for a nice dinner, pizza topped with alpaca meat, we wandered around the plaza until the sun began to set. The rainbow flag flying high above the plaza is the official flag of Cuzco, which supposedly has its roots during the Inca reign. Leaving the plaza we headed to a local supermarket to gather a few items and snacks for the next few days. Afterwards we retired back at the hostel and relaxed for our last night in Cuzco.… Read More
Cuzco Afternoon
With the main Inti Raymi ceremony over we walked back towards the city. While heading down the curvy road we encountered quite a few people selling goods and local cuisine. One of my favorite things about walking around Cuzco is seeing all the wonderful old architecture and cobblestone streets. It seems wherever I look I see history upon history, something that rarely happens back at home in Colorado.… Read More
Saqsaywaman
Upon arriving at the entrance to Saqsaywaman we followed the festival participants towards the main plaza. The Inti Raymi, “Festival of the Sun”, was a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti, one of the most venerated gods in Inca religion. Today it is observed in Cuzco on June 24 which is a few days past the Winter solstice. To learn more about the festival and ceremonies visit here: Inti Raymi info. Since we didn’t… Read More
Inti Raymi
Waking up early I decided to take a morning walk around the Plaza San Francisco. The plaza was bustling in anticipation of the Inti Raymi festivities, the Incan festival in honor of the sun god (more about this later). After my walk I headed back to the hostel and met up with the rest of the group. An hour or so later we walked to the Plaza de Armas and caught the procession of the festival. We followed the procession from the main Plaza up towards Sacsayhuamán. On the way… Read More
Corpus Christi
When the afternoon arrived we decided to venture out to the Plaza de Armas and take in the Corpus Christi festivities. Not really knowing what to expect beforehand I was surprised at the amount of people out and about. It was slow going but we eventually made it to the Plaza de Armas. Knowing that we needed to get higher to have a great vantage point we found an Irish pub, Paddys, that faced the Plaza. The majority of photos and panoramas were taken from this… Read More
City of Cuzco
After catching a taxi/van from the Velazco Astete Airport we soon arrived at the Plaza San Franciso. The plaza was getting things ready for a large market and the first thing that caught our attention were the roasted guinea pigs. Passing the market we arrived at our hostel, The Point Hostels Cuzco, which was located a block south of the plaza. After getting situated at the hostel we explored a few markets and eventually found ourselves near the Mercado Central de San Pedro. Before entering the… Read More
Headed to Cuzco
Years of thinking I’d get my passport I finally went ahead and submitted my application this past April. I figured that I’d get it so when the opportunity to travel abroad arose I’d be ready. Little did I know that I’d get the chance only a couple of months later. At my sisters graduation party my cousin, Phil, asked if I wanted to join him on a trip to Peru this June. I had to think about it for only a second before I jumped at the… Read More
San Isabel Ntl Forest
After being frustrated with the mechanics yesterday I decided to get out of town for a bit. I woke up at 5am and left the house at around 6. I decided to head on down toward La Veta and check out the area along highway12. After passing the small town of La Veta the road begins to wind up the hills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The changing autumn colors were really in full swing and after a little… Read More
Amicalola Falls
This weekend I traveled back to Georgia and arrived last last night. Early this morning my dear friend and I decided to check out Amicalola Falls State Park. The falls are located in the Chattahooche National Forest in Northern Georgia and tumble a few hundred feet down the mountain. We started out by hiking through the gate and up toward the restaurant and lodge on top of the mountain. After eating lunch there, we walked down the numerous staircases along side the waterfall. It was a very beautiful hike… Read More
Santa Fe
Before my friend’s wedding today I decided to check out Santa Fe for a bit. The last time I was here was during the winter and I must admit…it looks a lot better in Summer
5-day Trip Total: 1337.3 miles and 27hr 34min driving… Read More
Hummingbird Morning
Early this morning I was writing a letter and I noticed a couple of Hummingbirds feeding on the flowers just out the window. I quickly grabbed my camera and shot through the glass and shades. I didn’t think they’d come out well..but I was surprised they did!… Read More
Bandelier Ntl Monument
So after leaving the Eastern portion of the park we entered the main part of Bandelier. There were some pretty cool ruins and areas only accessible by a number of ladders.… Read More
Tsankawi Section
My friends and I headed out from Albuquerque to check out Bandalier National Monument (just east of Los Alamos) . Before we hit the main portion of the park we stopped at the Tsankawi section of the park. There are many cool petroglyphs, pottery pieces, arrowheads and old ruins just laying about. The temperatures were starting to heat and we were glad to get back to the car and water.… Read More
Taos Pueblo
Once I crossed into New Mexico I decided to venture down to the Taos Pueblo. I visited there back in Feb. and I wanted to see it during the summer. The people were once again really down to earth and I spent quite a few hours just talking with them.… Read More