Peru 1: Along Lake Titicaca to Puno and on to Cusco

We passed from Bolivia into Peru and carried on along the Lago Titicaca and the city of Puno until we reached Cusco.

Wir passierten die Grenze nach Peru ohne grosse Schwierigkeiten -konnten aber bereits erahnen, dass die Behörden in Peru freundlicher und aufgeschlossener waren.Wir erkundeten die Halbinsel Socca auf dem Wege nach Puno und blieben, nach einem gemütlichen Braai mittags, gleich an selbiger Stelle und kampierten dort – ein paar interessierte Bewohner grüssten uns freundlich und hiessen uns willkommen. Tags darauf ging es nach Puno, von wo aus wir die schwimmenden Inselbewohner besuchten, bevor es dann nach Cusco weiterging.

Border Control into Peru was a lot more welcoming than leaving Bolivia. We decided to take a round trip of Peninsula Socca where we barbecued for lunch but decided to stay. Next day we arrived in Puno where we stayed with Edgar and Consuelo at Casa Panq’arani, Edgar arranged overnight parking for the trucks, round the block, 4 minutes walk. We took two Tuk-tuks to the harbour and then a boat across to the Islas de Los Uros, the inhabitated floating islands. Each island is a growing papyrus-like platform on which the dwellings are erected.

In the evening we enjoyed an outing into the city and its pedestrian zone where we found a lot of nighttime activity and dancing as well as good local food as was recommended by our hosts.

Next day we drove via Juliaca to Cusco where we found convenient camping at Quinta Lala , efficiently run by Mili and a favourite meeting place of many overlanders visiting Cusco. Ask Mili for freshly pressed fruit juice and eggs from her hens, she also will wash clothing. The single camp’s bathroom and shower is kept pretty busy by the number of campers.

Around Cusco many interesting towns can be visited with craft and fresh produce markets. We made excursions in the area,one of which was a day tour to the Sacred Valley and to Chinchero, offering plenty of opportunity to buy really good Peruvian crafts along the road and the craftmarket in Chinchero is worth seeing. We also visited the local ruins saw the elders leaving the church service all dressed traditionally. Afterwards we had lunch in the town of Urubamba (pretty busy with tourists) and ended the day in Pisac, however arriving too late to visit the extensive ruins, which warrant a few hours to be explored.

 

Author: Dieter

A passionate traveller and photographer with an urge to share the beauty of our planet.

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