PERU

PLAZA MAYOR DE (Central Square) CUSCO, PERU. Today was my day to Recuperate after the quite difficult 2-day HUCHUY QOSQO adventure. I checked in to my Hostel that I bumped into on my second day in town. $35/night including a full breakfast contributed to keeping the budget for this trip LOW – about $3,000, door to door, including Air. My plan was to Tour CUSCO and figure out how to get to RAINBOW MOUNTAIN the next day, a very popular destination from CUSCO, and now second only to MACHU PICCHU itself. Though a 3 ½ hour drive on rough roads to get there, it is not a far hike, but the summit is a tough climb at 17,060’.

I would recommend CUSCO to anyone. It is a clean, safe, and inexpensive city, with rich history everywhere. I took a tour, and I learned a lot. Some of the historic architecture was from Spaniard reconstruction. I had no interest in their occupation. Only the original INCAN foundations unchanged in some 600 years and who’s stones of gargantuan mass display amazing accuracy. I even had GUINEA PIG for dinner and liked it! There are only two places in the world that serve GUINEA PIG: CUSCO and AREQUIPA, PERU.

Turns out my strategy worked well by coming in the “Shoulder” season to avoid crowds and I only had advance hotel booking for my first two hotel nights. I visited dozens of tour offices and showed my phone with the Spanish translation “Montaña Arcoiris. Saldrá mañana a las 3 a.m., viajero solitario.” (English translation “Rainbow Mountain. Leave at 3AM tomorrow. Solo traveler.”) Most said “4:30 – 8AM only.” I kept looking. Some said, “Private tour, $500.” KEEP LOOKING! Then I checked my phone to find a reply from a previous inquiry that looked Good. I bolted to their office and cut the deal. Pick me up at my hotel at 3AM tomorrow, $95 including breakfast and lunch. “I’m in!” I asked, “How many others will be joining?” “One couple.” He answered. Score! Spontaneity again prevailed. I only advance booked my SALKANTYAY Trek with tickets to MACHU PICCHU because I chose to climb MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN, requiring a special permit that is hard to get. That will happen on my last day. All other activities were arranged after I got there by wheeling and dealing with the hundreds of service providers within walking distance from this square.