Mountain Biking Adventures

Cusco 

After a 445 am start to go to the airport we made it to Cusco. Because of the altitude we had a tame day - we went to the Cathedral and the Jesuit Church. We also napped like pros. 

We had the briefing for the hike. It should be a great one. We reach over 4850 m at the highest point. Also the llamas carry the duffel bags. We're only allowed 7 kg of stuff on the trek. How much do you think that is? 

Mountain Biking Day 1 - Sacred Valley 

We biked. It was cool. They gave us specialized brand mountain bikes. It's interesting to see how many people have not been on a bike in years and signed up for this trip. I had a riot cruising down the Andes mountain range. 

Sacred Valley is better known as Urubamba in Peru. It's known for its great agriculture. Agricultural terraces, called andenes, were built up hillsides flanking the valley floor and are today the most visible and widespread signs of the Inca civilization in the Sacred Valley. It's just gorgeous views all around the area - highly recommend a visit to this; especially on a bike. 

G Adventures Site - Name Unknown 

Since we are on a G Adventures tour we had to go visit a local community to learn all about the process of making alpaca wool. They had alpaca and llamas on site which was the best part. We fed them! I'm sure y'all do not care about the process of wool so I won't spend the time to detail it. It's very detailed yet simple. 

Pisaq

We visited the ancient site of Pisaq. It's an example of the the Inka terrace agriculture. It's located in the Sacred Valley. It was a beautiful site and the highest I've ever been to this date of course - 3514 m above sea level at the top. Of course christina and I went all the way to the top while half of the group stayed at the bottom. I think you should always see the sites. 

Pisac is located 32 km from Cusco and at 2972 m above the sea level. It is located in the foothills Intihuatana, has the best system of terraces made by the Incas in the Andes. Near the village stands the Archaeological Park of Pisaq, Inca archaeological locations, constructions in polished stone, citadel, turrets, military fortresses, astronomical, etc. Stresses the Inca cemetery which is the largest in America. 

According to our guide, the Inka King Pachacuti erected a number of royal estates to memorialize victories over other ethnic groups. Among these royal estates are Písac (victory over the Cuyos), Ollantaytambo (victory over the Tambos), and Machu Picchu (conquest of the Vilcabamba Valley). Other historians suggest that Pisaq was established to protect Cusco from possible attacks of the Antis nations. It is unknown when Inca Pisaq was built. Since it does not appear to have been inhabited by any pre-Inca civilization, it was most likely built no earlier than 1440. Francisco Pizarro and the Spanish conquerors destroyed Inca Pisaq in the early 1530s. The modern town of Pisaq was built in the valley by Viceroy Toledo during the 1570s. 

Lunch at Huchuy Qosqo 

Because we were so far from the night hotel, we had lunch in a small place known as Huchuy Quoqo. It was a six course small plate meal. I ate plantains, quinoa with chicken, some weird potato dish, and two types of dessert. I looked at the ceviche and the stuffed hot pepper but decided to pass on them. 

Ollantaytambo 

It's the most adorable little town. It still runs on the Inka water system that runs through and under the town.  It is located at an altitude of 2,792 m above sea level. During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance. 

The valleys of the Urubamba and Patakancha rivers along Ollantaytambo are covered by an extensive set of agricultural terraces which start at the bottom of the valleys and climb up the surrounding hills. The andenes permitted farming on otherwise unusable terrain; they also allowed the Incas to take advantage of the different ecological zones created by variations in altitude. It's a neat site to climb all the way to the top to get views of the entire valley. 

The legend says that Ollantay (the titan of the Andes) of plebeian origin loved the princess Cusi Coyllor (Star cheerful) Pachacutec Inca king's daughter, who disagreed with this love. Pachacutec sent the princess to a house of Virgin, Ollantay attempted kidnap her from there, but failed and escaped. From the fortress commanding Ollantay had rebelled against Pachacutec, and after bloody battles was defeated, but the generosity of Pachacutec made Ollantay spare his life.

Moray and the start of mountain biking day 2 

In Moray we saw the greenhouse or Inca agricultural laboratory, consisting of four platforms amphitheaters or overlapping concentric circular stones and a depth of 150 meters, like rings that are expanding as they ascend. Locally adapted plants into new ecosystems. According to the guide, some argue that these buildings may have served as a theater for religious and civic ceremonies not only for agricultural purposes.

This is also where we started the second day of mountain biking. SO MUCH FUN. We were given elbow pads and shin guards today because it was much steeper and more intense today. I had so much fun ripping down hills at wicked speeds. I was the third in line and christina was fourth. We had two guys in front of us who I don't think could have handled us being in front of them. I have never felt so alive other than going down hills at 40 km an hour. I only flipped over my handle bars once on a tight u-turn corner. I've only got a bruise and a pinky nail size cut. Not bad for a front flip! 

Maras

The importance of this town is originated by salt extraction, since the time of the Incas was very important for the mineral, in colonial times continued its importance, is demonstrated by the large installed Jesuit community in the area, today you can see the beautiful carved doorways in houses that belonged to the priests. 

The Maras Salt Pools is an impressive complex of salt exploitation, located in the area known Qoripujio. It has salt mines, which were already exploited since Inca times as a means of economic exchange and securities. The salt is derived from the naturally salty water found in the area. The locals fill the 5000 pools every 30 days then harvest the salt for exportation and animals. The pools have three layers - brown salt for animal skin hides, pink salt, and white fine salt for human consumption. I tried the salt - it was pretty good.