near Cuzco, Peru: Bridge at Q’eswachaka; things to do

The Bridge at Q’eswachaka 

near Cuzco, Peru is made out of grass.  Every year since the time of the Incas, it has been rebuilt across a canyon high above the Apurimac River  This annual job takes three days. 

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All about visiting Machu Picchu, Peru

All about visiting MACHU PICCHU in Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

There are times for roughing it and times for not.  Peru, with its Third World plumbing, is one of those places where a comfortable hotel room is greatly prized.  I’ve heard about freezing temperatures at some of the less expensive hotels in densely populated Cuzco and more primitive Aguas Calinentes.  Bear in mind that in Cuzo (at 11,000-foot altitude), Machu Picchu (at 8,000-foot altitude), and in Aguas Calientes (at 6,000-foot altitude), nights are usually cold and altitude sickness also enters the mix.  Read more . . .

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image courtesy of venue

Guest Post: See The Amazon in Peru with Aqua Expeditions

Guest Post

See The Amazon in Peru with Aqua Expeditions

story and images by Suzanne Flores

Travel professional and daughter of mine, Suzanne Meyers, recently returned from a trip with Aqua Expeditions on the Amazon in Peru.  Here are some of her observations:

During a recent trip aboard M/V Aria in the Peruvian Amazon, our group made a visit to a local village where we were greeted by a large group of eager children.  They were ecstatic to see us and hopeful that we had gifts in tow.  The village is one of about 20 in the area that Aqua Expeditions supports and visits on a regular basis.  

This girl was very adamant to have her picture taken, and she was ready to strike a pose!

A rare opportunity occurred.  The village shaman was present when we visited and agreed to teach us about the properties of various medicinal plants (he spent 10 years in the Amazonian rain forest in order to become an official shaman).  I lucked out and was given a spiritual cleanse!



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Cuzco, Peru: Hotel Monasterio; hotel review

Hotel Monasterio  

Calle Palacio 136, 1 blk. from Plaza de Armas, 800-223-6800, +51 84 60 4000.

Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco, Peru

Converted from a Spanish monastery built in 1592, the magnificent Hotel Monasterio features weathered stone arches sheltering the halls and original religious paintings decorating the walls. At hotel check-in we were offered coca tea, which eased our discomfort from the altitude. In the morning we feasted at the buffet in the cheery golden breakfast room of the El Tupay Restaurant, drinking electric-colored fruit juices and sampling tasty local Kiwicha biscuits and Andean cheese; Inca dinners are held here on Saturday.

Read my article about Machu Picchu.

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Lake Titicaca, Peru; hotel review

Lake Titicaca, Peru

Perhaps you've heard of Lake Titicaca in Peru, and perhaps you've seen images of the famous reed boats that float there.  But have you heard about the spectacular new Titilaka hotel that opened recently nearby?

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The Amazon, Peru: Aqua Expeditions; hotel review

 

Aqua Expeditions  

12 guest suites; all have outward-facing picture windows and en-suite sitting areas. 3-, 4-, 7-night itineraries.

Beginning in the area where "Fitzcarraldo" (one of my favorite movies) was filmed, this 5-star luxury Aqua Expeditions cruise ventures through rarely-seen areas of the Peruvian Amazon. This is the Royal Scotsman meets the Amazon, with sophisticated cuisine on the menu as well as Latin classics. Guests leave the boat on a launch daily with a naturalist guide. Animal viewings might include the pink Amazon dolphin, three-toed sloth, black alligator, and giant river otter. All itineraries include a visit to the Manatee and Dolphin Rescue Center, and in November guests can participate in releasing newborn turtles into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve.


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