Salkantay Lodge and the 4 hour hike up to the glacier lake

The hike to the lake (starting at 12, 500 ft altitude) was exhilarating and more than I could handle with my altitude sickness. For most of the climb, I rode a lovely little white horse who was amazingly sure-footed (for a horse). Once I turned my fate over to equine savior and learned to not look into the sheer drop-offs, I began to enjoy myself immensely. In fact, I reached the summit ahead of everyone else making me feel as though I were the only human on top of this mystical world above the clouds. Loved it!




The gorgeous turquoise glacial lake which, by the way, several of the most daring among our little tribe, dove in and swam VERY briefly. Gene got his ankles wet!!!



































A mating pair of Condor flying above the trail!








A rest stop dwelling (local farm hut). This evening after David's lecture, we had a demonstration of the proper way to make a Pisco. Gene was the volunteer guinea pig. He didn't know how to separate the yolk from the egg white! Wow!

Cusco to Salkantay Lodge 12,500 ft. elevation

We were picked up from our lodgings at 7:00 am and met our first fellow travelers on the trek adventure, two very witty Australians who hailed from the province of Taizmainia!



En route we saw some Inca ruins at Limatambo and then took a short break at the mountain village of Mollepata where we drank cocoa tea and saw the guinea pigs in the nearby pen being fattened up for someone's dinner!



Then we ascended a very steep and winding mountain road to Marcocasa where the trek to Soraypampa began. The trail was an ancient route called "Camino Real" or Royal Path.





David' (pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable) was our guide. He is a descendant of the Inca people and very knowledgeable. Sidebar: 60% of Peru is rain forest. 80% of the population lives along the coast. Peru has 80% of the micro climates of the world; 1800 bird species; and 3,000 rivers that start in the mesa and flow through the rain forests to converge in the mighty Amazon River (largest in the world).


Getting the first glimpse of our isolated mountain lodge in the shadows of the Andes was a welcome sight. This is the view of the glacier from our lodge window!

Walking around Cusco/ Enjoying the sights

Today, we continue to explore the gorgeous city of Cusco. Everywhere we see the juxtaposition of the traditional and the modern, Inca descendants strolling with their babes held snugly across their backs while cars make their way up the narrow, ancient streets.

Look who's grinning now!

Exploring Cusco and Acclimating to high altitude

Photos in order are:
Scene from our hotel window of a small, impromptu parade that seems to be carrying an effigy of the Virgin Mary. This image of the Virgin can be seen throughout the city!

Catholic Church in the plaza
Cusco Market place
Fountain and Inca Warrior
Climbing streets that go to the neighborhoods where the locals live
Garden in the plaza
Art museum

Butterfly Botanical Garden/ Puerto Moldonado and Cusco, Peru altitude 11,000 ft.

We bid adeau to our camp site on the river and said adios amigos to Percy, Roberto, and Tony then boarded the boat for an hour long ride back upriver to Puerto Moldonado.

At the check out center we were able to spend a few minutes in the butterfly garden/ botanical garden which was magical.




Off to the airport and then we arrived in Cusco one hour later. Our impression of this lofty place is that it is beautiful village surrounded by the sweeping grandeur of the magestic Andes mountains. The drive took us down streets lined with quaint shops/ restaurants and businesses all very orderly and inviting. There were several plazas throughout, each boasting its own Catholic Cathedral and gardens. Everywhere local women (often with babies tucked in slings across their backs) sold trinkets to tourists.

My greatest joy was when we opened the door to our suite in Casa Andina that overlooked a small plaza Las Nazarenas surrounded by a Precolumbian art museum and Catholic cathedral. The hotel is housed in the oldest house in Cusco (built in the16th century) by a prominent Spanish family. The room is breath taking with its stucco walls adorned with fresco paintings and plaster beams. There is a cut stone fireplace which the staff will come and light on the chilly nights. Furniture is comfortable and in the style of Spanish Mediterranean. These are views from our hotel room overlooking the courtyard and the plaza.

I'm suffering from altitude sickness and some stomach ailment from the camp water so it was a tremendous relief to be in this place. The staff brought cocoa tea to help us acclimate and we ate dinner in the hotel restaurant that night with soft music playing and candle light on the table. I believe that this is one of the most romantic places we've stayed in for a while.

Day 3 Amazon Monkey Island

Monkey Island is a 10 minute boat ride across the river from our camp. We went around to the far side of the island away from the main current of the river and proceeded down the trail about 100 yards into the forest. Monkeys began chattering at us and Percy threw bananas at them to get them to come down from the trees. The alpha monkey ended up getting the snack as the others watched and became very aggressive with the smaller monkeys. Watching the monkeys, it became apparent that, like humans, they will create all kinds of diversionary tactics to get at the food. Monkey Island is a man made sanctuary for these creatures to keep them out of the surrounding villages.

Day 3 Amazon Jungle Lake Sandoval

The next morning began with a sunrise boat ride back up the Madre de Dios (one of many very wide rivers in the Amazon). Today our destination is Lake Sandoval, a place of tranquility that is all about bird watching!







Sidebar about the birds: In the Amazon Jungle, the female birds tend to be more colorful than the males!



Lily pads



Bird photos: social flycatcher, secretary bird, parot, (rare) harp eagle, and red tail squirrel