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 Cusco

　Arrived at Cusco by domestic flight from Lima Airport.After sightseeing in Cusco city on this day, we would move to Machu Picchu. The Japanese guide for sightseeing in Cusco was Mr. Yoshida, and the local guide was Fujiko.

　Sightseeing in Cusco in the highlands was on a route that went down from a high place in consideration of fatigue prevention. The first sightseeing was the Sacsayhuaman ruins on the hills of Cusco.The altitude is over 3500m and it was the highest point for sightseeing in Cusco. Everyone walked slowly through the grassland in the center of the temple ruins surrounded by Inca megaliths piled up without gaps, being wary of alpine sickness. The stonework has three layers and continues in a zigzag shape.The height of the stone is huge, far beyond the height of a person.It is a mystery how it was made, but in terms of architectural technology, it can be said to be the masterpiece of the Inca ruins, which is more than Machu Picchu. A flock of wild alpaca was visible in the meadow.We could see the panoramic view of Cusco from the hill.

　We returned to the old town from the Sacsayhuaman ruins and moved down a narrow alley to Plaza de Armas in the center of Cusco's old town. After taking a rest in front of Cusco Cathedral in the square, we took a walk to the famous 12-corner stone near Plaza de Armas. It was said that to prevent bacterial infection, touching the beautiful green Inca stonework is fined 100,000 yen.

　We took a walk from the Inca masonry to the temple of the sun, Korikancha.The meaning of Korikancha is "golden place" and it is said that it was decorated with gold in the Inca era, but only the stonework remains after lootings by the Spaniards. We entered from the Santo Domingo Church built on Korikancha and visited the remains of the inner corridor-shaped temple.The Inca stonework that remains inside and outside the building was spectacular.The golden plate depicting the Inca world was not a real thing, but a replica. In the Sagrado Garden in front of Korikancha, there was a UNESCO World Heritage plate.The city of Cusco was registered as Peru's first World Heritage Site in 1983 at the same time as Machu Picchu.

 Cusco - Machu Picchu

　After sightseeing in Korikancha, we left for the sacred valley Urubamba by bus.There was also a luxury train from Cusco to Lake Titicaca. We ran on a highland at an altitude of 3800m by bus. The blue sky peeking through the clouds was dazzling.
　Arrived in Urubamba and had a delicious lunch at Restaurant Munha.It was also a wonderful blue sky here. We probably prevented alpine sickness by taking Diamox before arriving at Cusco.

　After lunch, moved from Urbanba to Ollantaytambo and took the observation train Vista Dome to Machu Picchu.The seats on the train to Machu Picchu were on the mountain side, so we looked forward to the spectacular view of the Urubamba River side on our way back.
　We arrived at Machu Picchu station while it was still bright.When we got off the train and left the station, there were a lot of souvenir shops.

 Machu Picchu

　We took a shuttle bus from Machu Picchu Station at the foot of the mountain to the Machu Picchu Ruins via the Hiram Bingham Road, and checked in at the Sanctuary Lodge in front of the ruins.Enjoyed dinner with Peruvian wine at an all-inclusive, rich hotel.The live performance of the folklore duo in Andean folk costumes added to the atmosphere. After eating, I went outside to take a picture of the starry sky, but unfortunately at night clouds came out and the stars were hidden.

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