Tiny Indian Girl Up A Mountain

Ollantaytambo

By tinyindiangirlupamountain / January 5, 2015 / Peru, Travel / 2 comments

Sacred Valley

Sunday 5th October 2014 ~915am

Ima su tiki?

Su timi Nathasha.

Quechua for what is your name and my name is!

Today is Cusco acclimatisation day. It’s also election day, so we are waiting for Alexis our guide to make his way to us.

6kg is really not very much for our ‘main bags’. I’ve ended up leaving more and more clothes in storage here…

…1830

What a lovely wee gentle day. I only have half an hour to write so I will try my best. Let’s work backwards. We are currently at Ollantaytambo. I’m actually not sure of the elevation. <2,800m it turns out>

But this is what it looks like from above…

And up close…

It reminds me of a mixture between Mussoorie and Namche. Mussoorie because of the rippling hills, like water has carved them. Same kind of green colour, a little arid at places (perhaps not like Mussoorie in that way) but not that rock like moonscape of the higher altitudes – yet.

Chinchero

Namche because of the streets. Not elevated per se but windy and tortuous, though making sense to our driver. I suspect it’s more like a spider web, a network of alleys and gullies.

Streets

Election day fever has hit. So much music, so many people. Did you know if they don’t vote they have to pay a fine? I think that’s pretty awesome.

Election fever at Ollantaytambo

Speaking of awesome, I stole the front seat of the bus and was privy to some amazing views. I didn’t really want to siesta after lunch (absolutely delicious by the way) as I wanted to keep looking out the windows.

We visited The Sacred Valley today. Again some great photos ops. I also learnt that jumping for photos is disrespectful. Not that I did it or anything but it’s interesting how it’s been flagged as the one majorly culturally insensitive thing to do…

…Better go. 5am start tomorrow and that’s just breakfast…

Sacred Valley

Vilka Mayu River in The Sacred Valley

We visited a few spots that day- Moray, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Pisac. Various archeological sites.

Pisac

Aww

And besides that had lunch at one of their sustainable development project sites- Parwa Restaurant. A peaceful, idyllic place to rest with the most delicious meal.

Paw Paw

Earlier on in the day we met Jesus and an alpaca.

Jesus-glows in the dark and everything!

Alpaca

And saw many potato fields.

Potato fields

I am told there are coal mines also.

Ollantaytambo gave us a little chance to hike in the searing heat. And our first chance to just wander and not be hopping on and off a bus. It was my favourite part of the day by far.

We were told of some granaries where back in the day they used to store their food and produce. Some of the group made it their mission to get up to them before the sun set, the rest of us went half way, took our snaps and then turned around. Still, it was well worth it.