A Journey of a Lifetime ( Part 3 ) Urubamba and Ollantaytambo ruins

After breakfast the next day --- we checked out of our hotel and headed out for the airport with the tour group. We flew to Cusco ( 2 hour flight ) and then took an hour bus ride to Urubamba. It was a pleasant day --- the weather was sunny and the temperature was not cold. Jesus advised us to bring our jackets ---- just in case the temperature dropped when we get to Urubamba. Traveling during the winter months in Cusco ( June till end of August ) can be very unpredictable. You can have perfect weather in the morning then the temperature starts to cool down around 4:00 pm. It gets very cold in the evenings --- you will need to turn on the heater in your hotel room.

Urubamba is the largest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  It is regarded as a good location to go to in order to acclimate yourself to the elevation to prevent altitude sickness. The altitude of Urubamba is approximately 9000 feet above sea level.

While on the bus, Jesus, our tour leader explained to us that since Cusco is 11,000 feet above sea level, we might experience altitude sickness. The symptoms of altitude sickness are: fatigue, severe headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea. He advised us to acclimatize ourselves  by drinking lots of water, walking slowly and when we feel we are out of breath -- we should stop and breathe deeply. 

There are some remedies for altitude sickness which helped Lulu and me throughout this trip. They are:

1. COCA TEA -  this tea is commonly seen in the Andes region. Coca tea acts as a stimulant to overcome fatigue, headache, hunger, and thirst. It is considered particularly effective against altitude sickness. 

Jesus warned us that we should not take Coca Tea after 4 pm because it contains high level of caffeine which will cause insomnia, and it also acts as a diuretic which may cause problems when we go on long bus rides. The maximum intake of Coca tea should be 4 cups a day. 

2. AGUA FLORIDA - I personally prefer this remedy than drinking coca tea. Put a few drops on your palms and rub them together. Put your nose between your palms and inhale deeply ... one whiff of this relieves you of your headache immediately!!

3. COCA LEAVES steeped in hot water for 10 minutes and  drink as tea. You need 2 - 3 pieces of coca leaves per cup of hot water.

A Journey of a Lifetime ( Part 1 ) The CIty tour of Lima

All of us have a bucket list of places around the world where we would like to visit... My friend, Lulu and I have decided to make one incredible journey to Peru. It has been our longtime dream to visit Machu Picchu, known as the Land of the Incas.

After carefully planning our trip to Peru for almost a year... our dream was about to be fulfilled. Lulu found the perfect tour schedule. Come and follow us while we discover the beauty of Peru. Let us share with you what we have learned about Peru. Its history, culture and the beauty of what Peru has to offer. Through my blog and photos we will share with you what we experienced on this trip.... here is our story..

We flew from Los Angeles to Peru aboard COPA airlines, with a lay over in Panama.  When we arrived in Lima, Peru we were met by our tour guide, Jesus and we were escorted to Hotel Antigua Miraflores located in an upscale district in Lima. It looked like a house that was converted into a small " boutique hotel ".

Set in a Spanish-style mansion and oozing colonial period charm, this hotel offered a much more intimate and authentic experience than staying in a chain hotel. The decor is old fashioned, and the staff was very helpful and courteous. The hotel is beautiful...it made us feel like we were staying in a home!!

After breakfast we had a brief orientation with our tour guide and off we went on a tour of the city of Lima.