Peru (Day 1) – Lima to Cusco – Westysclan World Cruise 2023

We had a very early start to our day with a 6:15am assembly for our Machu Picchu excursion. From our berth in Calleo we were transported by bus to the airport in Lima onto a flight to Cusco.

I had a window seat and the flight path into Cusco was the most challenging I have ever observed.

We could feel the effects of the altitude as soon as we landed – light headed and even a walking pace had you puffed.

Cusco Cathedral

We had been divided into bus groups of 10 people for the duration of the tour. Each group had their own local guide. Our first stop was the Cathedral at Cusco. Our initial reaction was – ABC (another bloody Cathedral) but it actually was a very interesting experience because it was probably one of the most interesting and ornate churches that we have ever experienced. Unfortunately you could not take photos inside. Despite the richness and weight of the many statues and altars they are used regularly in street processions. We also liked the Cuscoan version of the Last Supper painting where Jesus and the apostles are dining on Cuy (Guinea Pig).

This is a copy from the internet

After our tour inside the Cathedral we walked across the main square for lunch at the Inka Grill. For entree we had a Quinoa Salad, Peppered Steak for main course and an elaborate pastry for dessert.

Made from purple corn – it is supposed to help with Altitude sickness

After lunch we walked back across the square to our mini buses and were then driven to Corikancha – The Temple of the Sun. Funnily enough we passed by many of the same round- abouts and squares that we had passed on the way to the Cathedral. I think it was probably walking distance but maybe that didn’t want us to do much walking on day 1!

Corikancha had been one of the most important Inka temples but had been plundered and dismantled by the Spanish who then used the remaining foundation of Inka layed stones to build another church on. There are many examples of colonial buildings built on top of Inka stone work in Cusco.

Replica of one of the many gold plates that had lined the wall of the temple.

From Corikancha we were then bused up to Saqsaywaman. Saqsaywaman had been bigger and better than Machu Picchu in size and importance but, because of its proximity to Cusco, had been dismantled by the Spanish and the stones used to construct other buildings.