These Peru Photos were taken in 2013. I got a cheap flight with AirEuropa via Barcelona and Madrid to Lima. As I had six days there, I booked another flight from Lima to Cuzco with StarPeru, as I wanted to explore the old Incan ruins of the country and take many Peru Photos. I flew in spectacularly over the Andes and checked into my hotel, Encantada Casa Boutique Spa. This small, but very nice hotel with a friendly staff served as my home-base to explore the sacred valley of the incas over the next days. I planned two day trips and got a driver (“Fidel”) for each of them. With my little Spanish knowledge from university I managed to communicate with him and had two great trips. On the first day I travelled to Pisac Ruins and the famous Pisac Market, where I spent some hours hiking and exploring the city. Afterwards I went to Sacsayhuaman ruins on top of Cuczo, and had great Alpaca steak in the evening to end that great day. On the second day I made a trip to the famous Moray ruins and the Salinas de Maras, where salt is produced just like in former times. It’s a must-do sight if you want to take typical Peru Photos. Make sure to have a great camera at hand, like the ones recommended by me in my travel camera guide!
The real highlight of the trip followed: I got a ticket to Machu Picchu and even one to climb Huyana Picchu, which is limited to 200 hikers per day. I went by train to Aguas Calientes, the base camp of Machu Picchu. After checking in to my little hostel (served me great for that night) I explored the little (touristy) town and prepared myself for the next day and bought supplies. At 5am, my day at Machu Picchu started. I went to the top with the shuttle bus and got there very early – only a few fellow tourists in sight, as all daytours arrive at 10am. The whole area was foggy, which created a very special, intimate atmosphere on top of the Andes. I went to Huyana Picchu, the big mountain behind Machu Picchu, and prepared myself for the climb. As the elevation is about 2.700 meters, the air is very thin and the climb very strenuous. I arrived at the top after one and a half hours and waited for the clouds to clear. Suddenly the clouds broke open and the most spectacular view on Machu Picchu was revealed! I took plenty of these typical Peru Photos from the top and then hiked back to Machu Picchu to explore the area. The next day I had to travel back to Lima and take some great Peru Photos there. I explored Miraflores and had a typical “Pisco Sour“, before flying back home.
Hans’ Tips for your own Peru visit:
1. Very good Lonely Planet travel guide for Peru
2. A great Machu Picchu guidebook to plan your visit
3. Great book about Hiram Bingham’s discovery of Machu Picchu
