Machu Picchu

One of my favourite places in the entire world, all my friends think I am mad but honestly anytime I get the opportunity I am off. I dont do Huayna Picchu anymore (got a touch of vertigo) but I have walked the length and breadth of Machu Picchu more than once and still love doing it.

Many people that come to see Machu Picchu do a bog standard tour of about 3 hours, which seems ridiculous to me as you have to travel 8 hours (total) from Cusco to get to it. So here at Tika Trek we like to offer our clients a different tour of Machu Picchu, either arrive at night so you have a whole day to visit or come for 2 days, there is really enough to see and do to spend the 2 days. I personally enjoy sitting in the Industrial Zone with my shoes off looking out over the Urubamba river. (nobody really goes to this area so you feel completely on your own).

I also enjoy a short walk to the Inca bridge which is well worth a visit just to see the amazing engineering feat of a bridge and walkway carved into the mountain, not sure I would want to walk along it though.

You can also take off upto the Sun Gate or for the more adventurous a trip to Machu Picchu mountain, how about a visit in March as the orchids are out in full force.

So remember when you want to visit the citadel of Machu Picchu, we at Tika Trek are ready to assist.

www.tikatrek.com   www.tikasoapperu.com

Azul Wasi boys home

As always on the search for new things to do, see and experience in Cusco we went off to see the Blue House (Azul Wasi) in Oropesa. A few friends had recommended it to me so we jumped on a bus and headed south to  the bread town (they are famous for their bread) and into the country to the 3000ms2 area that is Azul Wasi. 

The home is quite unlike many others as for a start it doesnt have walls which is great means the guys are not forced to live there. There are 15 boys between the ages of 8 and 15 that live in the house andt hey have been sent here either via the court system or a family member has brought them. They have a variety of reasons for being there and are all happy with the treatment they recieve. 

The house was set up about 5 years ago by an x policeman as a safe refuge for boys from all over the South of Peru. The are schooled, fed and looked after but this can sometimes be a struggle as it costs approximately $1300US per month to look after the boys. 

They have a greenhouse and gardens to help with the feeding but this is sometimes not enough, how would you like to come and volunteer here. If there are only one or two of you there is room available, if there are more you can bring (or rent) your tent or set up camp in the TV room, and you can share meal times with the boys. 

Maybe you would like to do an event at home so that they can do some more building, their office is pretty much falling down. or what about just coming for a visit and getting to know the boys and using your time in Peru doing something a bit different. 

Peru Scotland.

Lesser known sites in Cusco

Good morning world, thought it might be nice to blog about some lesser known sites in Cusco as I wait for the arrival of our coconut oil from the jungle.

One of my personal favourites (apart from Machu Picchu) is the delightful water temple of Tipon. Situated approximately 23 kms from Cusco at a height of 3500ms .

At present to arrive at the site you must take a 5km drive up a very bumpy road.  This is being rectified and will be a proper road in June 2012 which should assist tourism to the area.

Upon arrival you can begin to enter the park by the stairs passing small waterfalls until you enter the site which is a remarkable engineering feat with a myriad of water fountains and 12 terraces.  It is thought that the water that runs through the entire park comes from an underground lake.  A true delight to visit.

There is also the possibility of walking up an original Inca trail which is located on the north side of the site. This is a little harder but well worth it.

Another interesting thing about Tipon is the village which is on the main highway. Known as the place to eat guinea pig (locally known as CUY) the village is full of small family run restaurants that dedicate their time to preparing the Peruvian delicacy. It’s a very popular place for local people at the weekend and probably the best place to try authentic guinea pig.

For the opportunity to visit Tipon and some other sites in the Southern Valley have a look at http://www.tikatrek.com/en/program/96/southern-valley-1-day-tour  

And remember to get some soap www.tikasoapperu.com