Winning Strategies

Sumaq- a Restful Sanctuary at the base of Machu Picchu

If you are looking for a restful, five star resort to rest in the tranquility below Machu Picchu, Sumaq is the place to be. http://www.machupicchuhotels-sumaq.com/   It offers incredible food to tempt your palate, a restful sleep, a spa, and the beautiful relaxing sounds and views of the raging waters in front of the resort.  It is only a hop skip and a jump away from the base of the Machu Picchu Mountain and offers easy access to the famed Machu Picchu Park.

We check into a room overlooking the waters and enjoy a fabulous view from our window.  We found availability at the spa and book 2 massages, just what our aching bodies need after climbing Machu Picchu Mountain.

The town is called Aquas Caliente and is home to natural thermal springs.  These hot springs are a great place for travelers to rest their weary bodies and enjoy a muscle repair after all the hiking and walking.  It is the reason that the town is named Aquas Calientes.

Our bodies are hungry and the food here is simply amazing.   We have a fresh fish, a delicious drink and rice pudding for dessert.  It is just what we needed to refresh and renew.  Were I to do this trip again, I would allow for a longer stay at Sumaq.  The town of Aquas Calientes is quaint and the handcrafts market has been the most enjoyable shoping so far while in Peru.   

This hotel cost close to half of what is charged at the Sanctuary Lodge- just a bus ride up the hill, and twice the relaxation, service and value.  The staff here is helpful and eager to assist.

A big THANK YOU to the staff and management at the Sumaq Hotel for a simply dreamy stay.  

Plan a stay at Sumaq when you travel to see Machu Picchu.
 

Climbing Machu Picchu Mountain

We are up and out of bed and heading for Machu Picchu Mountain. This grand peak sits adjacent to the ruins and is suppose to provide an amazing view from the highest point. Today, Michael and I will climb the mountain to see the view.

The evening before, the hotel sent a runner to buy a pass to get into the sanctuary and to climb Machu Picchu Mountain. There is an additional charge to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu is a faster and easier climb and it books up quickly. They only allow 400 climbers a day to climb Huayna Picchu. Very few people decide to climb the larger mountain- so it is usually available.

While in Peru, the US to Peruvian exchange rate has been around 2.5 Soles for every US dollar. Access to the park was 140 Soles per person (equivalent of 56 US) for the park that included an additional access for the mountain.

We come to the gate and sign our names in the log book. It asks name, age, country and time of entrance to the climb. There are 38 names ahead of ours in the book for today . It is 9:30 am on April 24th 2012. They want to make sure that those that go in- come out. Smile

The hike is steep. The sun is shining brightly and the day is warm. We begin to pant quickly as we sprint up the steps. The air is thin in this altitude. It becomes evident very quickly that we will need to pace ourselves. We will be climbing 2 miles across the trails that send us up into the air- almost straight up.

The steps are carefully crafted out of stones. They are narrow and tall. The path is well defined and constructed in switchbacks that zig zag up the mountain. Each corner that we turn returns to us a new view. The ruins very quickly reduce in size as we climb further up the mountain.

Now we require a stop every few steps to catch our breath. I begin to count subconsciously- step 1-2-3-4-5- rest-rest- rest- rest then step 1- 2- 3- 4- 5 and rest - rest - rest - rest. And that begins the rhythm of my steps as I ascend the mountain. Michael climbs past me to take pictures and then drags behind at times to stop and look around. He is both enthralled and energized by the breathtaking views.

Each corner we round brings a cold breeze from the valley below. The temperature today is probably 80- 82 degrees and the cool breeze is about 60 degrees. When the cool breeze blows past- it feels as though we have a natural air conditioning fan blowing on us. The cold air is a treat to our sweaty bodies climbing ferociously in the heat of the day.

We begin to pass people on their descent down the mountain. They started much earlier and are on the second half of their trek. They teasingly tell us how much further we have to go and one boy in his twenties tells us that we will pass his parents in awhile and that they are 'old folks'. We laugh. We are sure that our kids probably call us old folks as well.

It seems like time is moving slower now. Our legs are feeling a little shaky and tired. Our guide- Paulo- says that on the way down our legs will feel 'noodly'. I'm fully convinced that he knows what he is talking about.

We hired the guide for 150 Soles to take pictures for us on the hike. The hike is simple enough that you could easily do it without a guide. We found it fun to ask him questions and learn about the culture along the way.

We are now about 20 minutes from the summit and I feel like I've just climbed all the steps in the Empire State building. We've been climbing for two hours and ten minutes. Now it is definitely mind over matter as I must will myself up the remaining 20 minutes with every limb of my body aching and my water supply down to the last few sips. I can do it- I can do it- I can do it. I start to whisper to myself motivating phrases to get myself to the summit. I don't want to crap out and let the guide and Michael get the best of me. My competitive nature kicks in.

3- 2 - 1. We made it. We hike over to a seat covered by a gazebo made from bamboo. We sit and finish our water supply and have a protein bar. The breeze is blowing past and the view is indescribable.

We hike over to the flag at the summit peak and see three other climbers. Sitting on the edge and enjoying the view. One climber, Francesca, said that she had been sitting there for 3 hours enjoying the view.

We take a few pictures and begin our descent. Our legs shake as we try to convince our weary appendages that they want to climb down the mountain for another unidentified amount of time. Our calves are tight and our bodies are beginning to ache. I take a couple tylenol from my fanny pack and am reminded that I'm far from the spry 25 year old of days long past.

The flora, fauna, and butterflies and birds that pass us make the hike interesting and vivid. This is one of my all time favorite hikes of my life because of the views- followed closely behind by the hike we did on the great wall of China.

We finish the climb down in 1 1/2 hours making our total climb 4 hours. We slowly veandor over to the Sanctuary Lodge for lunch. Food- I'm in desperate need of food and water. I had to climb all the way down with no water since I used all my water on the climb up.

Amazing hike! I highly recommend it.

Hike Summary

Rank- Difficult -due to altitude and steep nature of the climb
Views- spectacular
Length- 4 hours
Notes- requires a permit/pass to climb

A Visit to Machu Picchu- One of the NEW 7 Wonders of the World

This week we visited Machu Picchu, the most famous citadel of the Incas. Located 8,000 feet above sea level, it sits on a ridge between two mountains, Machu Picchu and Huaynapicchu. The mountain named Machu Picchu is taller than Huaynapicchu.

Our full access pass to the Machu Picchu sanctuary (which came complimentary with our Hiram Bingham train tickets) let us into the park. The 20 minute bus ride from the base of the mountain up the switchbacks to the citadel is not for the faint at heart. The bus passes down very narrow roads that sit dangerously close to the edge of the steep mountain.

At the entrance, staff check passports and tickets. Once into the park, you meandor across a bridge that brings you to the mountaintop wonder. The citadel covers a wide breadth of land and takes several hours to transverse.

I sit and gaze out over the miraculous city that sits high on this mountain top.  There are others wandering around the magnificent view.  Ahead there is a doorway that leads into the city.  Through that doorway,  you can explore the rooms, land, and staircases that traverse around the hilltop. 

It is hard to imagine life back in the day that the citadel was in use.  The mere size of it is amazing.

We hike around the back side of the mountain top and come to a small railing and staircase that we transcend to a lower area inside the complex.  With each twist and turn, we discover a new discovery.  We find a new area to explore.  We walk into a cave, and in and out of areas that were once rooms.  One almost forgets that you are walking on top of a mountain until you come to an edge and veer down thousands of feet into the riverbed below.  Once you reach the side, you are quickly brought back to the reality of where you are, here, high atop an Andes Mountain- sitting on a ridge between two mountains- exploring an ancient Inca ruins that no one has ever been able to fully explain.

Around the next bend we see a grassy area with llamas grazing as if they don't notice the people all around them.

We climb higher and get to a high point and take some pictures.  We stand in awe of the view.  It is picturesque.  It is a blend of amazing colors, some blue, purple, surrounded by white clouds, brown mountains, green grass, and  the vivid colors awash your senses like a strong wind- surprising you with every turn.

Some just sit, soaking in the view and letting the picturesque scenery blaze a permanent branded image in their minds.

I wonder if I will be sitting in a business meeting, months, maybe even years from now and be brought back to this single moment in time, amazed and awash with the view, the vivid colors and the feeling of standing on top of the world gazing out over its wonders.

Will I at some point be able to 'let something go' that is bothering me, because I can return in my mind to this wonder and let the peacefullness of this moment cement itself forever in my mind?  I believe I will.

We continue around the summit until a light rain begins.  I pull up my hoody and cover my head as the droplets begin to fall more steadily now.  The sun runs and hides behind the clouds and we watch the rain slowly move in.  We duck under a wall, watching the weather change before our eyes.  It isn't long before the rain leaves behind a beautiful rainbow.  It is as if I thought it couldn't get any more beautiful, and it did.  
                                                                                


We  sit at our desks, busy with life and refuse to 'live'.  At this moment, I'm encouraging you to LIVE.  I'm asking you to map out a plan to discover somewhere in the world that you've always wanted to see, go- a place you've always wanted to visit.  I'm asking you to figure out a way and to plan your adventure.

We plan to revisit the park the 2nd day to climb Machu Picchu Mountain and discover the view from thousands of feet in the air- stay tuned, as I will fill you in on the adventure.  Think about what you want to see and do.  This moment is your life.

Thank you for accompany me on my journey.  As always, I'd love to hear from you.  Thank you all for writing in.  I enjoy your comments, letters, and emails.  More to come...

The Hiram Bingham Train- Cusco to Machu Picchu

It feels as though you are traveling back in time, back to a time when train travel was the way to travel, and trains had dinner cars, bar cars, and observation decks.  From the town of Cusco, Peru, you can board the Hiram Bingham Train for a three 1/2 hour trip whose destination is the train station close to the base of Machu Picchu. 

This is traveling in style.  From the moment you arrive at the train stations, your every care is catered to and the red carpet is rolled out for each guest, complete with orange juice and champaign waiting for you outside the car.

To top it off, the views are amazing.  The train winds its ways throught the Andes Mountains, running across its green hilltops and valleys and eventually you come across the mighty Urumbumba River.  Passerbyers see the sights and sounds of each town as the train passes through.  It feels as though it is a day and age long passed by.  Time seems to have stood still, you have been transported to a time  a hundred years in the past.

Inside the train, passengers enjoy entertainment, delicious drinks from the bar car and a fabulous lunch served in the dinner car.  The observation deck allows spectacular views through the glass sides and ceiling of the glass encased car. It was the popular area as all those with cameras were there to catch the views and glimpses of the raging waters of the Urumbumba and the hilltops of the Andes Mountains.  

We met  a nice young gentleman named Felipe, from Miami Florida, working for TLC (The Learning Channel) taking numerous photos for television. I can't wait to see the photos that he captured on this trip.  They will be fabulous.

Off to the side, about half way through the train trek, we began to see the Inca Trail.  High above us are hikers walking their way into Machu Picchu.  The trek takes 3 days with the 4th day opening into the exploration of Machu Picchu.  The trip comes with tour guides and locals that carry the kitchen supplies, food, tents, and other equipment necessary for the hike.  The locals carrying supplies were easy to spot with their bright yellow packs.  Some hikers do the hike without tours guides and locals to carry their packs.  These were the serious hikers and we met many of them in Cusco preparing for their hikes.  Cusco is loaded with Hostels full to the brim with hikers about to make the trek to Machu Picchu.

Their were quite a number of hikers that we spotted throughout the train ride.  This is a popular spot for hikers seeking adventure.

Once you've landed, busses take you to Machu Picchu.  The train ticket comes complete with a full access pass  to enter the Machu Picchu park.

Dropped off at the entrance, you are now free to roam the ruins, taking in the grand views and enjoying the hilltop ruins.  Young and old alike flock to the park to see its wonders.  Languanges of all kinds are being spoken here.  This destination draws a wide variety of people from all areas of the world. 

Some visitors were planning a tour for the day, others stay at a nearby hotel at the base of the mountain in Aquascalientes and spend a second day touring.  Come, see Peru and enjoy the sights and sounds of Machu Picchu.

 

 

 

Cusco, Peru

Today the weather is a bit cloudy, but this is our only real full day to explore the city of Cusco, Peru.  Set in a valley, surrounded by the Andes Mountains,  Cusco sits atover 11000 feet elevation.  We are experiencing less altitude sickness today.  Yesterday we struggled a bit as our bodies tried to accommodate the high elevation.  It feels a bit like you've just ridden a merry go round a little too long or maybe been out drinking too much. 

On our walk, we are intrigued by the locales.  The still dress in their native clothing and life, it seems, for them has not changed in centuries. 

We wanted to see the market, and we walked around in circles for awhile in an attempt to locate it.  The streets change names often, even if you stay on the same street.  We began to use landmarks to find our way around, ie 2 blocks after the church.

The market was interesting.  It had a combination of flowers, fruit, nuts, vegetables, restaurants, and even raw meat.  I saw a pigs head, chicken feet, and all sorts of interesting cuts of meat.

 

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Walking through the city leads us to an interesting array of sights and sounds.  At one point, a lady bumped into Michael and stole his Iphone.  It was a good thing that he was paying attention, because he quickly interogated her and located his phone in her stuff.  Poor lady, she never knew what hit her.  Laugh.

Tomorrow we will be taking a train from the Porroy Station to the Machu Picchu Station.  It is a 3 1/2 hour train ride.  More to come...

 

Exploring Cusco

With not much time left of our day, we started off on a quick walking tour of Cusco. Soon into our walk we happened upon some baby llamas. The locals were allowing the gringos (locales here refer to the white people as gringos) to take pictures with the baby llamas for a small price.

The cobblestone streets are hilly, and with the shortage of oxygen, walking is more difficult than anywhere I've ever walked before. If you add a steep walk to the mix, you are panting and gasping for breath like an aged person with poor lung capacity.

We walked in the direction of The City Centre and Plaza de Armes. People were gathered around the City Centre. It was abuzz with activity.

Across the street from the Plaza de Armes was an upstairs coffee shop, with a great view of the activity below. We settled in for a latte and a sandwich. There we met a sweet couple from Chicago here on holiday, John and MaryAnn. We enjoyed a delightful chat, excited to communicate with another english speaking couple while surrounded by mostly spanish speakers. More to come... stay tuned.

Arrival in Cusco Peru

We took an overnight flight from Miami that departed at 11:55 PM and arrived in Lima at 4:30 AM. We then caught a connecting flight to the mountainous town of Cusco, Peru. The Scenery from the plane was amazing. I could see mountain ranges all around with snow-capped peaks off in the distance.

A driver was waiting for us to take us to the Liberador Hotel http://www.libertador.com.pe/en/2/1/2/cusco-hotel. This Inca Palace has been turned into a beautiful hotel. The stark combination of Inca walls and modern glass encasing is a very unique look. We have some coca tea to help our bodies acclimate to the high altitude of Cusco. The weather is sunny and 70ish with a chilly wind. We are anxious to explore the city of Cusco.

A Journey of a Lifetime- Hotels We'll Stay at in Peru & Galapagos

As we busy prepare for our journey of a lifetime, we are reviewing the hotels that we will stay at while away.  I'm excited to update the blog with our adventures.

We will be visiting the following amazing resorts & hotels while away:

Libertador (http://www.libertador.com.pe/en/2/1/2/cusco-hotel) in Cusco Peru is our stopping point before we began our trek to Machu Picchu.  This hotel is number 12 in South America according to Conde Nest Traveler and is considered one of the best places to stay in the city. 

The Sanctuary Lodge (http://www.sanctuarylodgehotel.com/web/omac/machu_picchu_introduction.jsp) is the only hotel located adjacent to the Inca citadel,  Machu Pichu. 

Sumaq (http://www.machupicchuhotels-sumaq.com/) is located in the town of Aquascalientes, Peru, a town at the base of the mountain of Machu Picchu. 

Novatel- in Cusco Peru ( http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-3254-novotel-cusco/index.shtml) is a 16th century building  located in the historic center of Cusco Peru, not far from the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral. 

Westin Hotel in Lima Peru (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3286)

Finch Bay in the Galapagos Islands (http://www.finchbayhotel.com/)


Sheraton Quito Ecuador  (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=766)

Stay tuned....I can't wait to update all of you on our stays and the details of each hotel.

A Journey of a Lifetime

We are embarking upon a journey to see a unique testimony to the Inca civilization, Machu Picchu. The ruins stand 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in the beautiful setting of the Urubamba. It is found on the eastern slopes of the Andes in the upper Amazon basin surrounded by flora and fauna. Over 1 million people visit the ruins each year.  This year- 2012- Michael and I will join the many visitors that travel by foot, plane, or rail to see this amazing ruin.

From the beautiful mountainous jungle region, we will fly to the Galapagos Islands to see this dramatic and beautiful world of volcanis landscapes and fearless animals:  Fur Seals, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises, Sea Iguanas, and many species of birds.  This impressive wildlife santuary will create a memorable experience for us nature lovers. 

The Galapagos are located in the Pacific ocean approximately 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador.  Because of its isolation, there are life forms found only in the Galapagos.  We will fly from Peru to Quito Ecuador to catch our flights to the Galapagos Islands. 

Vacation Dreaming

Every now and again, when work, kids, bills, and the monotony of life send me into a doldrum, I begin vaccation dreaming.  In my mind, I begin to dream up the next far away destination that I could run off to, leaving my bills (and my kids and job) far behind.

The excercise itself is refreshing.  Watching a travel video, travel show, or even reading about a journey can bring me out of my mental state and help me prepare for another day.  I do plan to take a vacation, as often as life allows.  My next destination of choice is Machu Picchu.  I'm dreaming of running away to Peru to see the ancient ruins of old.  The pictures seem simply amazing, and one wonders if in fact it is THAT amazing in person.

I enjoy hiking, and the thought of a long hike (actually, I have no idea how long the hike is) to the top of an ancient ruin with an amazing view holds MUCH appeal to my deadened senses and overworked and under relaxed body and mind.

I mentally think about the steps to move towards the goal.  Start with 1) order book on Machu Picchu (that should be easy with Amazon my trusted online order friend.  2) watch a travel video on it.  Searching the DVR now to see if Machu Picchu or Peru brings up any shows, yup, press red record button for upcoming show on Peru (it is on, of course, during working hours, so I'll have to record for later viewing).

Well, 2 steps in a process is a good start.  I'll keep you posted.