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    <trip id="107" created="2009-09-08 09:21:27" creator_id="825984" creator_name="Footprint" creator_status="100" default_for_user_id="" description="You could spend one or two weeks in southern Peru, which offers a very rewarding short circuit covering the most important and popular sites in this part of the country. Trips to Cuzcoand Machu Picchu the crown jewels of the Inca Empire, frequently comprise a week (or less), but if you plan to hike the Inca Trailor any of the challenging alternatives, you need to consider two weeks in the region. Beautiful Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world, and the white city of Arequipacan be combined with Cuzco into a fortnight, using air, rail and road travel." marked_deleted="0" modified="2009-12-11 12:18:56.374561" modifier_id="825984" privacy="1" static_map_url="http://maps.google.com/staticmap?hl=en&amp;maptype=roadmap&amp;format=png&amp;markers=-13.517838,-72.051086,reda%7C-9.189967,-75.015152,redb%7C-13.175437,-72.493286,redc%7C-13.335507,-72.553711,redd%7C-16.003576,-71.779175,rede%7C-15.305380,-70.817871,redf&amp;key=ABCDABCD&amp;size=123123123x123123123&amp;path=rgb:0x0000ff,weight:5|-13.517838,-72.051086|-9.189967,-75.015152|-13.175437,-72.493286|-13.335507,-72.553711|-16.003576,-71.779175|-15.305380,-70.817871" status="0" sum_locations="6" sum_votes="3" title="Cuzco and Machu Picchu   " triplocation_id="616" />
    <tripitems id="765" created="2009-09-08 09:21:27" creator_id="825984" location_id="575039" modified="2009-09-08 09:21:27" modifier_id="825984" position="1" trip_id="107" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="766" created="2009-09-08 09:21:27" creator_id="825984" location_id="646093" modified="2009-09-08 09:21:27" modifier_id="825984" position="2" trip_id="107" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="767" created="2009-09-08 09:21:27" creator_id="825984" location_id="7044" modified="2009-09-08 09:21:27" modifier_id="825984" position="3" trip_id="107" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="768" created="2009-09-08 09:21:27" creator_id="825984" location_id="605394" modified="2009-09-08 09:21:27" modifier_id="825984" position="4" trip_id="107" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="769" created="2009-09-08 09:21:27" creator_id="825984" location_id="575041" modified="2009-09-08 09:21:27" modifier_id="825984" position="5" trip_id="107" tripitemtype="0" />
    <tripitems id="770" created="2009-09-08 09:21:27" creator_id="825984" location_id="575040" modified="2009-09-08 09:21:27" modifier_id="825984" position="6" trip_id="107" tripitemtype="0" />
    <triplocation name="Peru" avg_rating="3" content_source="2" created="2007-07-11 21:53:17" creator="154" hidden="0" id="616" inherited="0" latitude="-9.181352" longitude="-75.002365" ltp_level="0" merged_to="" modified="2007-07-11 21:53:17" modifier="1" style="1" type="4" votes="10" zoom="4" />
    <triplocations name="Cuzco and the Sacred Valley" description="It’s not surprising, therefore, that this is the prime destination for the vast majority of Peru’s visitors. In fact, what was once an ancient Inca capital is now the ‘gringo’ capital of the entire continent. And it’s easy to see why. There are Inca ruins aplenty, as well as fabulous colonial architecture, stunning scenery, great trekking, river rafting and mountain biking, beautiful textiles and other traditional handicrafts – all within easy reach of the nearest cappuccino or comfy hotel room. 

The Spaniards transformed the centre of a magnificent Inca civilization into a jewel of colonial achievement. Yet the city today is not some dead monument; its history breathes through the stones. The Quechua people bring the city to life, with a combination of pre-Hispanic and Christian beliefs, and every visitor is made welcome.
Starting your visit to the Cuzco region outside the city has many advantages. Staying a day or two in the valley of the Urubamba river will give you time to acclimatize to the shortage of oxygen at these altitudes. And, as nowhere is very far from the city, you can easily nip into town for any necessities. At Ollantaytambo and Pisac you will see Inca ruins and terraced hillsides without the overlay of the Spanish conquest. Then, when you are fit and ready, you can make your own assault on Cuzco and all its churches, museums, pubs, clubs and shops, not to mention the many festivals that are held throughout the year. If city life is not for you, there is no shortage of adventure. The huge influx of visitors has encouraged the opening of new trails, some for walking, some for biking, the latest hot spot being the ‘lost city’ of Choquequirao." favorite="" full_name="Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, Peru" googled_path="Peru/Cuzco-and-the-Sacred-Valley" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/575039/Peru/Cuzco-and-the-Sacred-Valley" id="575039" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, Peru" language="ENG" latitude="-13.5178376748907" longitude="-72.0510864257812" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Peru" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="Cuzco stands at the head of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and is the jumping-off point for the Inca Trail and famous Inca city of Machu Picchu." teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;Cuzco stands at the head of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and is the jumping-off point for the Inca Trail and famous Inca city of Machu Picchu.&lt;/b&gt; It’s not surprising, therefore, that this is the prime d..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;Cuzco stands at the head of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and is the jumping-off point for the Inca Trail and famous In...&lt;/b&gt;" type="6" type_id="6" type_name="region" votes="3" zoom="5">
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    <triplocations name="Lake Titicaca Region" description="This gigantic inland sea covers up to 8500 sq km and is the highest navigable lake in the world, at an average 3810 m above sea level. Its shores and islands are home to the Aymara, Quechua and Uros peoples. Here you can wander through old traditional villages where Spanish is a second language and where ancient myths and beliefs are still held. 

The main city on the lake is Puno, where chilled travellers gather to stock up on warm woollies to keep the cold at bay. The high- altitude town is the departure point for the islands of Taquile and Amantaní, as well as the floating reed islands of Los Uros. But while the latter may not be to everyone’s taste, having acquired a reputation for tourism overkill, a trip to Taquile and Amantaní provides a real insight into traditional Andean life, especially during one of the festivals. Apart from the obvious attraction of the lake’s islands, Puno is also well placed to visit the remarkable funeral towers of Sillustani. 
Even if you’re feeling a bit ruined-out by this stage in your Peruvian odyssey, Sillustani is well worth the effort. For community-based tourism, the Capachica Peninsula is similar to the islands, but quieter, and you don’t have to take a boat to get there. When it is time to move on, there is the beautiful but expensive train ride from Puno to Cuzco, and the opportunity to reach the parts of Peru that other travellers rarely get to, by exploring the remote eastern shore of the lake, an area that is only just beginning to welcome curious visitors" favorite="" full_name="Lake Titicaca Region, Peru" googled_path="Peru/Lake-Titicaca-Region" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/575040/Peru/Lake-Titicaca-Region" id="575040" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Lake Titicaca Region, Peru" language="ENG" latitude="-15.3053795304367" longitude="-70.81787109375" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Peru" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="Straddling Peru’s southern border with landlocked Bolivia are the deep, sapphire-blue waters of mystical Lake Titicaca, everyone’s favourite school geography statistic." teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;Straddling Peru’s southern border with landlocked Bolivia are the deep, sapphire-blue waters of mystical Lake Titicaca, everyone’s favourite school geography statistic.&lt;/b&gt; This gigantic inland sea covers ..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;Straddling Peru’s southern border with landlocked Bolivia are the deep, sapphire-blue waters of mystical Lake Titicaca, ...&lt;/b&gt;" type="6" type_id="6" type_name="region" votes="5" zoom="5">
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    <triplocations name="Arequipa Region" description="Spanish churches, mansions and the 19th-century Plaza de Armas all shine with this stonework. In contrast, the city’s most famous colonial jewel, the Santa Catalina convent, is painted in bright colours, a gorgeous little city within a city. This is only one attraction in a region of volcanoes, deep canyons and terraced valleys. The perfect cone of El Misti and its companions Chachani and Pichu-Pichu overlook Arequipa itself. Active Sabancaya and frequent earth tremors are reminders that this is a very unstable region.

Two famous canyons are within relatively easy reach. To arrive at these great gorges, you must take rough roads at high altitudes. Cotahuasi Canyon is the deepest in the world at 3354 m, but it has not yet achieved the same popularity as its neighbour, Colca. And it was only recently that the ancient peoples here, the Cabana and Collagua, had their villages and farms exposed to the gaze of tourism. There is excellent trekking and riding on the terraces of Colca, accommodation is improving all the time and the calendar is full of festivals. Above all, Colca also happens to be the best place in the whole world to get a close-up view of the majestic condor rising on the morning thermals. On the 'altiplanos' of this region there are herds of alpaca and vicuña and, at the World Heritage Site of Toro Muerto, the largest field of petroglyphs in the world.
There’s an individual feeling to this southwestern corner of Peru which, in part, stems from the stubborn pride of its people who have continuously attempted to gain more independence from Lima. Fellow Peruvians will jokingly refer to this region as the ‘Independent Republic of Arequipa’." favorite="" full_name="Arequipa Region, Peru" googled_path="Peru/Arequipa-Region" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/575041/Peru/Arequipa-Region" id="575041" inherited="0" is_poi="0" item_name="Arequipa Region, Peru" language="ENG" latitude="-16.0035757338813" longitude="-71.7791748046875" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Peru" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="The distinctive volcanic sillar used in the building of the city of Arequipa, has given it its nickname of the ‘White City’." teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;The distinctive volcanic sillar used in the building of the city of Arequipa, has given it its nickname of the ‘White City’.&lt;/b&gt; Spanish churches, mansions and the 19th-century Plaza de Armas all shine wit..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;The distinctive volcanic sillar used in the building of the city of Arequipa, has given it its nickname of the ‘White Ci...&lt;/b&gt;" type="6" type_id="6" type_name="region" votes="2" zoom="5">
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    <triplocations name="High inca trail" description="The second route, often referred to as the High Inca Trail, follows the same route up to the base of Salkantay before turning east across the Inca Chiriasca Pass at approximately 4900 m. This route then descends via Sisaypampa, from where you trek to Pampacahuana, an outstanding Inca ruin. The remains of an Inca road then go down to the singular Inca ruins of Paucarcancha. Paucarcancha is also an important camping site on the Ancascocha trek, described below. On the third day you join the classic Inca Trail at Huayllabamba (see page ), before continuing to Machu Picchu. Because the route follows the Km 88 trail in its second half, permits are required and thus booking in advance is highly recommended. It is not possible to trek this route without a registered Peruvian guide. There is also an obligatory change from animals to porters before you reachHuayllabamba. If you dont want to join up with the classic Inca Trail, an alternative is to go to Huayllabamba, then down to Km 88, from where you can take the train to Aguas Calientes, or back to Cuzco. It is also possible to walk the 30 km from Km 88 to Aguas Calientes, but the authorities are not keen on this, especially from Aguas Calientes to Km 88. There is an entrance fee of US$50.55 for this hike, but it does not include the entrance to Machu Picchu. If you combine this route with the short Inca Trail from Km 104, you have to pay the US$50.55 trail fee (see above for full details on prices)." favorite="" full_name="" googled_path="Peru/High-inca-trail" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/605394/Peru/High-inca-trail" id="605394" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="" language="ENG" latitude="-13.3355070565372" longitude="-72.5537109375" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Peru" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The second route, often referred to as the High Inca Trail, follows the same route up to the base of Salkantay before turning east across the Inca Chiriasca Pass at approximately 4900 m. This route th..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The second route, often referred to as the High Inca Trail, follows the same route up to the base of Salkantay before tu..." type="39" type_id="39" type_name="tour / activity" votes="1" zoom="13">
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    <triplocations name="Machu Picchu ruins" description="(Daily 0600-1730. Entrance fee is US$43.45 (S/.122), to be purchased in advance from the INC. Students with a valid ISIC card pay US$21.75. It is only possible to pay in soles. You cannot take backpacks into Machu Picchu; leave them at the entrance for US$1. Guides are available at the site, they are often very knowledgeable and worthwhile, and charge US$20 for 2½ hrs.)

For centuries Machu Picchu was buried in jungle, until Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it in July 1911. It was then explored by an archaeological expedition sent by Yale University. Machu Picchu was a stunning find. The only major Inca site to escape 400 years of looting and destruction, it was remarkably well preserved. And it was no ordinary Inca settlement. It sat in an inaccessible location above the Urubamba Gorge, and contained so many fine buildings that people have puzzled over its meaning ever since. Historical note Research published in 2008 by Carlos Carcelen, Paolo Greer and others shows that Bingham was not the first non-Peruvian to know Machu Picchu. A German explorer and trader, Augusto Berns, ran a sawmill and had a concession to mine in what is now Aguas Calientes and clearly knew about and looted the ruins.

Once you have passed through the ticket gate you follow a path to a small complex of buildings that now acts as the main entrance (1) to the ruins. It is set at the eastern end of the extensive terracing (2) that must have supplied the crops for the city. Above this point, turning back on yourself, is the final stretch of the Inca Trail leading down from Intipunku (Sun Gate) . From a promontory here, on which stands the building called the Watchman’s Hut (3), you get the perfect view of the city (the one you’ve seen on all the postcards), laid out before you with Huayna Picchu rising above the furthest extremity. Go round the promontory and head south for the Intipata (Inca bridge) . The main path into the ruins comes to a dry moat (4) that cuts right across the site. At the moat you can either climb the long staircase that goes to the upper reaches of the city, or you can enter the city by the baths and Temple of the Sun.

The more strenuous way into the city is by the former route, which takes you past quarries on your left as you look down to the Urubamba on the west flank of the mountain. To your right are roofless buildings where you can see in close up the general construction methods used in the city. Proceeding along this level, above the main plazas, you reach the Temple of the Three Windows (5) and the Principal Temple (6), which has a smaller building called the Sacristy (7). The two main buildings are three-sided and were clearly of great importance, given the fine stonework involved. The wall with the three windows is built onto a single rock, one of the many instances in the city where the architects did not merely put their construction on a convenient piece of land. They used and fashioned its features to suit their concept of how the city should be tied to the mountain, its forces and the alignment of its stones to the surrounding peaks. In the Principal Temple, a diamond-shaped stone in the floor is said to depict the constellation of the Southern Cross.

Continue on the path behind the Sacristy to reach the Intihuatana (8), the ‘hitching-post of the sun’. The name comes from the theory that such carved rocks (gnomons), found at all major Inca sites, were the point to which the sun was symbolically ‘tied’ at the winter solstice, before being freed to rise again on its annual ascent towards the summer solstice. The steps, angles and planes of this sculpted block appear to indicate a purpose beyond simple decoration, and researchers have sought the trajectory of each alignment. Whatever the motivation behind this magnificent carving, it is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Machu Picchu.

Climb down from the Intihuatana’s mound to the Main Plaza (9). Beyond its northern end is a small plaza with open-sided buildings on two sides and on the third, the Sacred Rock (10). The outline of this gigantic, flat stone echoes that of the mountains behind it. From here you can proceed to the entrance to the trail to Huayna Picchu . Returning to the Main Plaza and heading southeast you pass, on your left, several groups of closely packed buildings that have been taken to be living quarters and Workshops (11), Mortar Buildings (12; look for the house with two discs let into the floor) and the Prison Group (13), one of whose constructions is known as the Condor Temple. Also in this area is a cave called Intimachay (14).

A short distance from the Condor Temple is the lower end of a series of ceremonial baths (15) or fountains. They were probably used for ritual bathing and the water still flows down them today. The uppermost, Principal Bath (16), is the most elaborate. Next to it is the Temple of the Sun (17), or Torreón. This singular building has one straight wall from which another wall curves around and back to meet the straight one, but for the doorway. From above it looks like an incomplete letter P. It is another example of the architecture being at one with its environment as the interior is taken up by the partly worked summit of the outcrop onto which the building is placed. All indications are that this temple was used for astronomical purposes. Underneath the Torreón a cave-like opening has been formed by an oblique gash in the rock. Fine masonry has been added to the opposing wall, making a second side of a triangle, which contrasts with the rough edge of the split rock. But the blocks of masonry appear to have been slotted behind another sculpted piece of natural stone, which has been cut into a four-stepped buttress. Immediately behind this is a two-stepped buttress. This strange combination of the natural and the man-made has been called the Tomb or Palace of the Princess. Across the stairway from the complex which includes the Torreón is the group of buildings known as the Royal Sector (18).

The famous Inca bridge – Intipata – is about 30 minutes along a well-marked trail south of the Royal Sector. The bridge, which is actually a couple of logs, is spectacularly sited, carved into a vertiginous cliff-face. The walk is well worth it for the fine views, but the bridge itself is closed to visitors. Not only is it in a poor state of repair, but the path before it has collapsed.

Note Camping is not allowed at Intipunku, or anywhere else at the site; guards may confiscate your tent. However, there’s a free campsite down beside the rail tracks at Puente Ruinas station" favorite="" full_name="" googled_path="Peru/Machu-Picchu-ruins" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/646093/Peru/Machu-Picchu-ruins" id="646093" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="" language="ENG" latitude="-13.162849" longitude="-72.515821" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Peru" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; (Daily 0600-1730. Entrance fee is US$43.45 (S/.122), to be purchased in advance from the INC. Students with a valid ISIC card pay US$21.75. It is only possible to pay in soles. You cannot take backpac..." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; (Daily 0600-1730. Entrance fee is US$43.45 (S/.122), to be purchased in advance from the INC. Students with a valid ISIC..." type="13" type_id="13" type_name="sight" votes="21" zoom="7">
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    <triplocations name="The Inca Trail" description="An incredible trek in Peru, and one of the world's famous." favorite="" full_name="" googled_path="Peru/The-Inca-Trail" hidden="0" href="http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/show/7044/Peru/The-Inca-Trail" id="7044" inherited="0" is_poi="1" item_name="" language="ENG" latitude="-13.1754369392826" longitude="-72.4932861328125" ltp_level="0" parents_name="Peru" rating="0" recommended="" status_description="4" status_name="1" status_tags="0" status_teaser="2" teaser="" teaser_or_description="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; An incredible trek in Peru, and one of the world's famous." teaser_or_description_short="&lt;b&gt;&lt;/b&gt; An incredible trek in Peru, and one of the world's famous." type="39" type_id="39" type_name="tour / activity" votes="3" zoom="12">
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    <user id="825984" email="footprint@tripwolf.com" facebook="" fbsession="" language="ENG" lc_username="footprint" password="2c5e79f25a2526ce90042ffdc5e8a92e" profilepic="0" status="100" username="Footprint" />
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