We almost bailed. The plan to hike Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point was to drive down to the Sangre de Cristo range then up the 4wd road towards Blanca Peak. We’d drive the jeep as far up as we comfortable, backpack the rest of the way, and camp at...
Pisac Inca Ruins
The Inca ruins of Pisac are scattered on a large and narrow ridge that descends into the Sacred Valley, terminating at the town of Pisac which is also from Inca times. Pisac is a royal estate founded by the first great Inca king, Patacuti. He also founded the royal...
Tambomachay -> Cusco Walk
There are two reasons to walk from Tambomachay to Cusco. 1] It’s a nice day out on an easy walk where you get to see a good number of ruins under your own power and timing. You visit the popular bus tour sites, as well as others that have...
Visiting Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo Town Ollantaytambo has a good vibe. If I had to put my finger on it, I think I like it because it feels like an Inca frontier town. Even now. Ollanta (the shortened local name) sits at the end of the Sacred Valley: upriver lies plentiful farmland, roads,...
Día de Muertos – Oaxaca, Mexico
A few years back we did a too-short long weekend in Oaxaca, Mexico, with our friends Amity & Antonio. (Same trip as the places covered in this post.) We went to experience Dia de Muertos in a city renowned for their celebrations. Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead)...
A Hike from Pumamarca
The Pumamarca ruins lie about four miles up the Patacancha Valley northeast of Ollantaytambo. You go here for two reasons: to see the ruins and to hike back to Ollanta. And the hike back from Pumamarca might be the better reason. Pumamarca Ruins We got a taxi in Ollanta....
Annapurna Circuit: Part 4, Up & Over
Most folks stay in Manang for their acclimatization day - it's a bigger town with more trekkers, shops, and a number of German bakeries (yes, German bakeries). We stayed in Bragha, preferring the proximity of the Milarepa's Cave trail and the old village. But Manang does have its charms....
Annapurna Circuit: Part 3, High Valley of Manang
Heading out of Chame we encountered shopkeepers opening their shops. In addition to sweeping and setting out goods, most lit sprigs of juniper in small burners. We encountered this natural incense of smoldering juniper sprigs all along the Buddhist part of the AC.
Chinchero Ruins and Market
Chinchero Ruins After breakfast at Pension Alemana, our hotel in Cusco, we took a a shared taxi, or collectivo, to Chinchero. We went to a courtyard in the city where the collectivos to Chinchero wait, and got in a seven seater car and waited for it to fill up....
Visiting Huchuy Qosqo
12 Apr 2017 In reading up on Inca sites in the Sacred Valley, Huchoy Qosqo was occasionally mentioned but usually as an overnight trekking option if at all. Since we would be trekking the Inca Trail a few days after, I didn’t feel like dealing with a guide —...
