On the road #1

After the jungle in Bolivia and Peru, it's a return to the Andes. Over a distance of less than 200 kilometres, I went from an altitude of 257 metres at the jungle level to a mountain pass at nearly 4750 metres before finally descending to Urcos at 3750 metres. An impressive difference in altitude!

Ocongate

Nice little village where I slept on the way to Urcos.

The statues that adorn the central square of the village represent costumes that are still used today during local festivals.

Urcos

Urcos is a pretty little town located only 47 kilometres from Cusco, the ancient Inca capital. I spent a few days there to relax and enjoy the town a bit.

I was really glad to have left the jungle with its suffocating temperatures and oppressive humidity.

Andahuaylillas

Huaro

Road from Urcos to Paucartambo

I am only a few dozen kilometres from Cusco, and yet there are no tourists on these roads. There are no famous Inca ruins, but the landscapes are magnificent.

Colquepata

At lunchtime, I stopped in the small village of Colquepata to have a good little lunch. As I was leaving, I noticed that there was a lot of activity in the central square.

I'm not sure why this crowd was there, but I believe that before the municipal elections, the candidates for the mayoral race (alcade) came to talk in front of the village to sell their ideas. I didn't listen to what was said, but many villagers seemed interested.

Road from Paucartambo to Pisac