Cusco, Altiplano, Peru 4-7-2010

 

 

 

 

Cusco, Altiplano, Peru 4-7-2010

Odometer: 9139.2 miles

Cusco is a beautiful city. We use it as a base to work on the bikes and to go to Machu Picchu. The tour operators ask for astronomical amounts of cash for the tours offered. We start asking the locals about alternatives. One waitress suggests we ride up to Santa Teresa and continue to the hydro-electric plant. From there you can walk into Aguas Calientes, and from there to Machu Picchu.

After another days study, we put together enough info, off-load our long riding equipment , pack the bikes with the minimum, and head off to Santa Teresa, the hydro-electric plant, and the back door to Machu Picchu. It is hard to say what was better. Machu Picchu or the ride to get there and back. Wow.

Uncle Walter

Flash Details:

Hydro-electric plant: 7-7-2010 Odometer: 9296.1 miles, leave the bikes with Doña Chino
Train to Aguas Calientes: 8 kms
Bus to Machu Picchu 8-7-2010, climb above the ruins to the top of Mt Machu Picchu, bus down and train back to Hydro-electric plant, bike to Santa Maria: odometer: 9318.2 miles
Arrive Cusco 9-7-2010 Odometer: 9454.5 miles
Off to Nasca