Our worst ride so far!

We eventually left the altiplano and had our worst day on the bike travelling to Nazca. Riding in the rain and hail at over 4000 metres, traversing hundreds of hairpins on roads made of 50% tarmac and 50% overbanding! We were glad to descend to the warmth of the desert.

We visited the Nazca Lines from a hill and viewing tower. Its amazing how little they know about them. We would liked to have seen the dog, which is only visible by plane, so had to make do with a copy in the plaza. Up the coast a bit we went to Paracas where many elongated skulls have been found and there is a Candelabra geoglyph on a hill overlooking the sea, more than 2000 years old, which we saw on a wildlife boat trip.

We enjoyed a chill out for a few days at Paracas too as it is set in a nice bay.

We escaped back up the mountains soon after though, as travelling on the Panamerican highway on the coast is a dusty, grim route full of trucks...not our idea of fun!

The lush Lunahuana valley we escaped up.

We see hundreds of 3 wheeled bikes, mostly used as taxis.

This lorry might be overloaded!

Poor old Mr Pig!

Los Animales

Some of the animals we have been photographing, domestic and wild....
Dee particularly loves seeing the donkeys and we have seen many very cute baby ones too! We have seen loads of very tropical looking birds lately, but we can't get any photos....maybe we will have to go on a bird watching tour!

Some wildlife that we saw recently on a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands.

Perros de Peru

There are lots of friendly dogs all over Peru, some of who are even wearing collars. A lot are in good condition although plenty are not. We saw one yesterday strutting along with his lampshade on...fresh from his trip to the vets!
We have seen a few hairless dogs too, the Peruvian Hairless Dog, ugly but friendly! We tried to get a pic of a puppy of one but he was a wriggler!
Sometimes we get chased by dogs that appear from nowhere when on the bike; Phil has to keep an eye out for these characters! Some have a half hearted run but others really mean it and run at unbelievable speed alongside us, the odd one bearing his teeth!

What a comfortable place to sleep!

The Sacred Valley

We based ourselves in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco which itself and surounding areas, have plenty of perfect Inca stonework. The blocks fit so closely together without mortar you can't get a fag paper in between! Or in our case, our guide leaflet!

We booked on a 5 day "Salkantay trek" -  4 hard days hiking 60 km with the 5th day spent at Machu Picchu. We were a group of 11 hikers, 2 guides, 3 porters/ assistants, 1 chef and 3 horsemen with their mules.

Hiking over a pass at 4600 metres with the impresive Salkantay mountain in the background.

Mules carried our tents to our first and second nights camp.

The second day was hard...

Part of the trail had been washed away so we took a detour over the river on a zip wire. The wire rope looked a bit dodgy! We passed through coffee plantations and lots of tropical fruit trees.

We camped at Llaqtapata on the 3rd night overlooking Machu Picchu - a really beautiful place.

A friendly dog that we named El Tigre - his owners had some fun with a razor!

Our porters relaxing after a hard days work.

Machu Picchu emerged like magic from the early morning rain and mists.