Day 4 in Peru: Condor Lookout
We woke up before sunrise at 5:30 to head out with the tour to the Condor Lookout to possibly catch a glimpse of some native condors. I had my doubts we would since several locals have told us these sightings were rare. We stopped along the way at several more touristy spots and villages before we reached the lookout point. We really didn’t get to trek around as much as we’d thought we would. After about an hour at the lookout and not seeing condors, we went back to the town of Chivay to have lunch and be on our way back to Arequipa. We arrived just in time for dinner. We found a recommended restaurant in Jon’s Frommers book and chose La Trattoria del Monasterio. It was very nice and we enjoyed conversation with a Canadian couple who apparently just got back from Colca Canyon as well.
Day 3 in Peru: Colca Canyon
Victor was our guide for the 2 day-1 night Colca Canyon tour and he picked us up at our hostel at 8 am with a bus full of other tourists. We had no idea we were about to stop at least 10 spots before we would arrive at the little town of Chivay where we were staying the night. Most of the places we did stop at were picture-taking spots for tourists as well as traps for the local vendors. Someone was trying to sell us something at every turn. Other than that part of the tour, the scenery was quite beautiful. We passed through the town of Maca and stood at the highest point in Picchu Picchu before finally arriving in Chivay. Jon and I were the only tourists who were up for the hot springs after our 6 hour bus ride. It was very relaxing to see the sun set behind the mountains and unwind in the warm water. Afterwards, we rejoined our tour group at a local restaurant where they played traditional Peruvian music and had a dancing couple perform for us. I had mate which is the traditional coca tea and alpaca for dinner.
Claude Debussy - “Claire de lune”
Day 2 in Peru: Arequipa Amore
I don’t think there was a day where Jon and I slept in throughout our trip in Peru. We woke up around 8 am and had breakfast downstairs at The Corridor before our new hostel search out in historic district of Arequipa. We left our bags in our room and walked through the Plaza de Armes and checked out a couple of prospects until we found a hidden gem on Santa Cantalina street called Las Torres de Ugarte. Apparently, the nightly rate was the same as The Corridor, however the accommodations were more quaint and intimate. We quickly booked a room and brought the rest of our belongings over.
We took it easy the rest of the day and visited a nun’s monastery called Museo de Arte Virreinal Santa Teresa. Afterwards we visited the “Ice Maiden” at Museo Santuarios Andinos. On our way back towards the Plaza, we found a cute coffee shop with friendly hostesses who were putting up Halloween decorations. We searched and found a 2-day, 1-night Colca Canyon tour with Colonial Tours which was scheduled to depart the next morning. Later that night, we enjoyed a romantic view of the Plaza de Armes cathedral from our balcony table and ordered ostrich steak and fish for dinner. We turned in early to be well rested for our 7:30am pickup for the Colca Canyon tour.
Day 1 in Peru: Capital Lima
Our connecting flight from DFW to ATL landed in Lima, Peru around 1 am. We grabbed a cab to the Blue Star Hotel which was about a 20 minute ride from the airport. It was a humble hostel off away from the noisy night streets and we had a room off the 3rd floor with a view. The room was ordinary except for our bed which was something reminiscent out of a 70’s cheap porn movie. It was a complete circle with silk sheets and headboard lights around it. We didn’t waste anymore time and went to sleep to get enough rest for our first day in Peru.
We woke up around 9 am the next morning and ate breakfast at the hotel cafe. Afterwards, we grabbed a taxi and based upon the concierge’s suggestion, asked him to drop us off at a nice spot to shop and walk around. Instead, we were left on the side of the road by a circle of scattered shops. We walked down a random street and was stopped by a English speaking “tour guide” who said he would drive us to downtown Lima and give us a tour. Once we decided to do it, got in his car and drove off, he realized it was a Sunday and that most stores in downtown Lima would be closed. He suggested we go to the Pachacamac ruins instead. We had an afternoon flight to Arequipa the same day so we thought it was a good option to explore until we had to head back to the airport. It was very interesting and our first historic visit. After the tour, our cabby started to drive us to the airport and mentioned that we would have to pay him $100 in US dollars for his services and the airport transportation. We were initially quoted $35 for the ride downtown plus the airport and now it seemed to have substantially changed. Instead of arguing about it, we decided to just pay him and be on our way. Our 5:30 flight brought us into Arequipa just in time to see an amazing sunset behind the mountains. It was easily one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever seen. We grabbed a cab to the historic district and randomly chose a hostel called The Corridor. It wasn’t bad, but our room was a poor choice because it was right above a noisy, uphill street and we could hear every brake and horn. We decided to look for another hostel first thing next morning.
