Lima | Cuzco | Machu Picchu | Lake Titicaca
I took 24 students and most of my favorite adults on a grand adventure through Peru in 2019. We saw so much more than I can ever describe here. We started at the Pacific Ocean in the capital city of Lima and then flew to Cuzco. After adjusting to the elevation, we made our way to the Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and visited Machu Picchu and the remains of the Sacsayhuaman Fortress and the Raq’chi Temple. We traveled on to Puno to take a boat ride across Lake Titicaca, which borders Bolivia. There, we hiked Taquile Island and then hit the lake again to meet some of the Uros people that inhabit floating reed islands before returning to Lima and flying home. We plan to go back soon!
Beach in Lima
Pacific Coast
We visited the beach. Just like in L.A., we found the waters of the Pacific to be chilly but dipped our toes in anyway!
Pisac Market
Ragatear – Haggling 101
We learned to respectfully haggle, beginning at 50% of the original price (no lower!). Some of my kids walked away with great deals.
Presidential Palace
Lima
The city center is brightly colored and at sea level, which makes it an easier visit than Cuzco.
Cuzco
Town Square and Cathedral
The elevation was tough in Cuzco, where I learned that if you have an intrathecal medication system in your spine (which I do), you can get really sick above 8000 ft. I am much more prepared when I go now! Cuzco is a great starting point for exploration of Incan sites and the Sacred Valley.
Koricancha Temple
Incan site in Cuzco
This Incan temple was essentially destroyed and repurposed by the Spaniards in in the 16th century. It used to be covered in gold (700 sheets of it!), and it housed the mummified kings of the Inca (considered their greatest treasure).
Incan Rope Bridge and Stone Spanish Bridges
Sacred Valley
Cross the rope bridge if you dare! It’s well preserved, but only three people can cross at a time. These bridges are surrounded by newer stone structures and can be found along the Incan Trail.
Machu Picchu
Ancient Incan Citadel
This Incan city was built near the Urubamba River and high in the Andes Mountains but was later abandoned. To get here, you can take the train from Cuzco or hike the Incan Trail. Most of our route followed the trail but used a combination of train and motor coach.
Uros Floating Islands
Lake Titicaca
We managed to secure permission from the Uros people (some tour companies can help with this!) to visit a few different floating islands. Each island has about 5 family huts on it. Reed plants, from which the islands are formed, can be anything: material for a boat, a roof, medicine, or even toilet paper.
Puno
Near Lake Titicaca
This is one of my favorite pictures of all time, as it features one of my awesome teacher besties, Will, and his 360 camera, which has allowed me to create VR experiences for kids that cannot travel abroad. Behind this great photo bombing scene is a glacier at 17,000 ft elevation.
The Traveling Teacher 