Belmond Monestario - Thursday PM

Have we ever had a hotel arrival to rival today's at the Belmond Monestario. The van deposits us at the entrance to the monasteries' chapel. We enter to cold towels, a cold drink, and room keys.

The hotel was once a spectacular monastery. This is the upper courtyard.

This is the lower courtyard.

The halls are decorated with paintings and tapestries. The dining room has vaulted ceilings and a preaching alcove. During dinner, there is a small group playing. Suddenly we are jolted by an opera soprano. Where is that deafening voice coming from. Following a lengthy search, we find her in that raised alcove. In the next aria, she is joined by the Maitre'd, a tenor. He does not have the pipes to hang with her.

The upper courtyard by evening.

This place is up there with Ashford Castle in terms of charm and service. It reminds one of Spanish Parador properties.

Machu Picchu/Transfer to Cusco - Thursday

Today is Carol's morning to tour Machu Picchu. She is off with a small part of our group and without a camera focusing on footing, walking, and experiencing the wonder. 

An hour and a half later she appears at the door looking great. Why does she not look half as bad as CJ did yesterday? Sure there wasn't climbing today but it was a bloody lot of walking on her fragile knee and foot.

We walk in Machu Picchu Peublo (Town) and have lunch.

During the train ride back up the mountain, the wait staff put on a fashion show. Carol purchases a sweater.

It is a more than two-hour bus ride from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. It is uphill. After the initial descent by bus from Machu Picchu (7900 feet) to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Peublo) (6690 feet), the train climbs back to the Sacred Valley (9500 feet). Our driver, Washington and his van returns us to Cusco (11,200 feet).