Cuzco Off The Beaten Path

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The only organized tour we took in Peru was a day trip to the valley. The information office in Cusco recomened a cheap tour operator that charged us $10 for a 9 hour trip thru the valley. The highlight of the day was probably Ollantaytambo which they say you should visit if you do not have time for Machu Picchu. The stones had to be brought in from a quarry that was much further away than that of sister site MP. They are not certain on the exact method of transport other than the fact that they do believe logs were used to assist with the movement of the stones. This place is up at around 12,000 ft so take your time going up. Our guide stopped the group three times to rest and keep everyone together.

This is a monument to the founders of Cusco, located at Avenida del Sol (which connects the train station to Plaza de Armas).

The legend says that the city was founded by Manco Capac (the legendary first inca leader) and his wife Mama Ocllo after God Sun has revealed them the site after a long pilgrimage through the Sacred Valley.

Historians and archeologists, however, point to a slow and organic occupation of the site during the XI and XII Centuries.

There are not many tourists around here, but it didn´t seem a dangerous place to me.

Native people of Peru are everywhere in the Colorful Ponchos it may however cost you a soles or two to take there Pictures so just be aware of this also when stopping on the bus trips the will take you to a store to buy things that are much more expensive .Know you prices before buying . i found a lot of same stuff in Lima For Cheaper than in Cuzco.

This was actually offered at our tourist agency. The cost was 25 soles for 4 hours of horseback riding. Since I am no expert , they gave me a calm horse, who actually may have been a little too calm for me =P. But I was able to ride in the countryside while being able to stop at a few ruins. Our 16 year old guide was semi-helpful.

This isn't OFF THE BEATEN PATH... but it's definetely less croweded and less explored...i really not sure how it's nowadays, cos as i said, lot of changes happened since i did the trail, in 1998...anyways, this was very nice and at dawn the view was superb !!!