Barbera (late 60’s) and her niece Marion (late 20’s) were looking for a last-minute opportunity to visit Peru, a destination that had been on their bucket list for some time. Barbera created a WhatsApp group and after several delightful conversations we created a journey with joint and individual elements. For example, Marion visited Rainbow Mountain, while Barbera went on a hike with a llama herd that same day. It is highly rewarding to craft truly tailor-made trips in this way. This is their story:
Suddenly, the opportunity arose, and the question was, “Shall we go?” We have two weeks; it should be doable, but how do we arrange it? A few years ago, we attended the Special Travel Fair in Amsterdam and spoke with Peru specialist Marianne Salmans from Aves Travels. Machu Picchu had been on our wish list for a while, but we hadn’t gotten around to it yet. We took some brochures, and now they are coming in handy! We contacted Marianne via email, and she responded quickly. In three weeks’ time, a fantastic private trip was organized for us! And so, “never” became “now,” and we departed on Tuesday morning, April 30th, at half past ten in the morning from Schiphol towards Lima.
We experienced so much! We saw and heard so many things! From Lima, we took a domestic flight to Arequipa, then continued with a “private taxi bus” to the Colca Canyon, Cusco, Misminay, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and back to Cusco. From Cusco, we took a domestic flight to Lima for the return flight on Monday, May 13th, to Amsterdam, arriving on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024.
Just a few of the many impressions from an unforgettable trip!
On May 1st, our guide Juan showed us the city, both on foot and by a crowded metro bus. It was a public holiday for the Peruvians, and everyone was out and about. It was quite a push to get on the bus… but we managed to get a standing spot!
After visiting Miraflores, where Juan made sure we could taste exotic fruits that were so delicious, we still had time at the end of the day to go to the Barranco district, which we were very glad not to miss. Barranco is an artistic neighborhood where you walk from one street full of picturesque art and street art to another. Everywhere you look, there are beautiful artworks and artistic, poetic, and cheerful people. What a creative and cozy atmosphere!
In the evening, we ate at a nice little restaurant. By then, we had realized that it is quite normal in Peru to share a single menu!
Our hotel in the heart of the city featured a flower-filled courtyard that provided such tranquility, making you feel far removed from the hustle and bustle. But nothing could be further from the truth. As soon as you step outside, the traffic horns blare past you, and you walk along the wall of the Santa Catalina Monastery, beautifully renovated, a city in itself where you can wander for hours. Listening to the stories about the cloistered life of about 450 nuns is like stepping back in time. You marvel at what went on within these walls, sometimes even smiling at the tales. The eldest daughters of wealthy families entered the convent at fourteen, accompanied by their own servant, and could eventually choose to stay in the convent for life or return to the outside world.
A handful of nuns still live in the monastery.
A remarkable journey over a mountain pass nearly 5,000 meters high. We made several stops along the way to see a wildcat (spotted by our driver among the bushes and grass), alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and guanacos. The mountains and volcanoes, with one still emitting steam, showcased the typical Peruvian landscape for this season: slightly marshy, where the animals could still quench their thirst. And then, the magnificent view from the highest point!
We continued to our lodging in the valley to discover condors through a narrow path in the canyon the next day. Even our guide Eduardo was a bit nervous because, of course, nature is unpredictable. Would the condors show themselves? Absolutely! Many, both young and old, soared from their nests in the rocks, aided by the warm air of the sun, gliding above us. It was a special experience. It seemed as if they wanted Marion to take lots of photos—there were so many to choose from!
We took the bus to our next destination: Cusco. It was a long journey, but not only did we see the landscape, mountain lakes, and more pass by, we felt it as well. What could be better than experiencing that?
Perhaps the Rainbow Mountain, which Marion climbed two days later? Her reaction when we saw each other again was, “Nature is truly amazing!”
We learned and saw more and more about the Incas and their culture. That in itself is a wonder. How they observed nature and based their strategies on it. The sun, the earth, light and dark, the circle of life—parts of their religion that can still be found in modern-day beliefs, just as their language Quechua is still spoken. Centuries ago, they lived and ruled; Cusco was the center, and many of their structures—fortunately—are still visible. Buildings that allowed sunlight to penetrate and were resistant to earthquakes. Ingenious people who figured out how to convey messages using knotted ropes. You ‘make do’ with what you have.
We experienced firsthand that time has not stood still during our stay with this local family. The community, high in the mountains, uses mobile phones. However, they still weave using traditional looms.
From morning till evening, these men and women are busy with their daily tasks. Very early, they peel potatoes harvested from their land, grind corn, chop vegetables, and so on. Once that’s done, the men cook while the women engage in handicrafts. The children played games with us, and later we played a game of football with them. We had already discovered that this sport is very popular here. Guides spoke about a championship Peru once won and easily mentioned names like Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong, and many more.
At night, we went to bed with hot water bottles. In the morning, we had the rare luxury of deciding what time we wanted to wake up. We simply enjoyed the unbelievably beautiful view of the mountains surrounding the valley.
We wondered if we could and would want to live like this. Just asking the question was our answer.
We were getting closer to the (literal) ultimate goal of our trip. But first, a visit to the village of Pisac, near the silver, gold, and copper mines. The streets were lively, yet Pisac exuded a certain tranquility. So pure. It’s easy to imagine why philosophers, anthroposophists, and volunteers come here and sometimes stay for months. In the time we had, we absorbed the atmosphere, breathed it in. We had to move on…
Heading towards the train station in Ollantaytambo. It was the Saturday before Mother’s Day, and what a celebration in the village! The mayor thought mothers deserved it. The whole square was filled with tables and chairs, music, and food and drink.
At the station, we were certainly not the only ones eager to see one of the seven wonders of the world. But we had reserved seats and looked at each other with anticipation, our hearts racing. One more night, and then it was time to see the city. And it was so worth it! Nestled between the Andes and the Amazon is the ‘ancient Inca city.’ What a history, what a culture that developed in all its primitiveness. Overwhelming when you think about it all as you stand atop Huchuy Picchu. To the left, you see green mountains; to the right, they are barren and rocky. Stunningly beautiful.
And there we stood, two people from the Netherlands, allowed to witness this wonder.
And then you descend… And you end the day, and at the same time, the trip, with a meal in an authentic little restaurant, in a nook by the window with a view of the many lights illuminating Cusco, the Statue of Christ, and an intense conversation about the life of the Incas, about the life of the people in Peru. This will stay with us for a while.
Thank you to the people of Peru:
– For all the stories about Peru, including personal stories
– For everything you have shown us about your country
– For everything you let us experience alongside you!
Thank you, Marianne, for your efforts to tailor this trip to our wishes!
