Monday, March 19

Sunday was spent heading to Cuzco and then onto Pisac, one of the two main towns in the Sacred Valley of the Inka. Sunday is market day in town, an enjoyable experience for sure, but the items being sold were clearly massed produced. It is also good to descent into the valley (2700m) for a time to acclimate to the elevation in Cuzco (3300m).

Monday included more exploration of the Sacred Valley, slowly moving from Pisac down to the important Incan city of Ollantaytambo, easily one of the greatest place-names to say. There are many NGO’s working in the Sacred Valley, often placing students in volunteer opportunities living with families. This was an opportunity to see some of this first-hand.

Wren-like Rushbird

From Ollantaytambo, the way to Cuzco passes through the village of Urubamba and then over the mountains. While there is a well-paved highway, there is also a detour on a dirt-road past two alpine lakes. The scenery was incredibly beautiful and the lakes held Silvery Grebe, Andean Coot, Spot-winged Pigeon, a female Yellow-winged Blackbird and a Wren-like Rushbird.