Peru - Salkantay Trek (6)

FINALLY! My favorite part of my trip was spent up in the mountains on the Salkantay Trail. We hiked for four days, reaching 15,000 feet, and hiked down to the beautiful Incan archeological site, Machu Picchu. This was truly one of the most challenging and physically demanding things I have ever done. Yet, I had the time of my life and experienced some of the most beautiful sites that I have ever had the opportunity to see! 

Starting our journey! 

The top of the mountain! 

Peru - Cusco (5)

My third week in Peru was spent in Cusco and on the Salkantay Trail! Since I would be hiking so high up, we had to arrive two days early to start adjusting to the altitude. So, we had lots of time to go explore the beautiful city of Cusco! 

The first day was spent walking around the historical district in Cusco and at the Pre-columbian Art Museaum...

LOTS of street performers! 

Drinking lots of Cocoa Tea (to help with altitude sickness)

The second day was spent on a 10 hour bus tour... thats right TEN HOURS! The tour took us through the mountains, to a Peruvian market, and to some of the most important historical Incan archeological sites. 

Joanna trying to talk down prices to a 10 year old girl

Sacred Valley

Pisac

Random "religious" parade 

Amazing Peruvian buffet up high in the mountains
outside of Cusco

Ollantaytambo

Peru - Lima...again (4)

After our week in Trujillo, Chiclin, Chicama, Pampas, and Sausal, we headed back to Lima for a few days. These few days were SUPER touristy. Our first touristy thing was going to a traditional Peruvian restaurant that had authentic food including anticuchos (cow heart) & alpaca meet AND traditional Peruvian dancing!

Authentic Food

Traditional Peruvian songs!

Dancing with an old Peruvian man haha

After the crazy/hilarious dinner, we took a three hour bus tour around Lima. Our tour bus first took us to a fountain park that was beautiful and very cool! They had a ton of really cool ones, but my favorites are below:

The bus tour also took us to this historical part of Lima. There was a ton of really beautiful buildings that I am sure have a lot of historical significance, I just don't know too much about them.

This was a really awesome way to end our visit in Lima. Although I spent a whole week there, I didn't feel like I really got the opportunity to see much of it, since we were mostly in hospitals. So, although touristy, I think it was a great way to finish up our time in Lima.