2005 10 Peru – Day 9

October 22nd, 2005 – First class train across the Altiplano to the city of Cusco

October 22nd, 2005 – First class train across the Altiplano to the city of Cusco

Train across the Altiplano to Cusco – First Class – (All Day Trip)

Wake-up call this morning is 6:00 am and most of us have breakfast at the hotel for an additional $10.00 Soles ($3.50 CDN). We're all packed and checked out by 7:00 am and on our bus for a short ride over to the train station. Shaping up to be another beautiful day in Puno and we are lucky to have this weather, the start of the rainy season is near.

The whole group decided to upgrade our seats to first class for a hefty $100.00 U.S. We are all hoping it will be worth the money. The train leaves at 8:00 am, right on time, and we start our long ride taking us 9 ½ hours to complete. I end up getting a seat to myself and I find the day very relaxing. With all the great views and having all the mobility to move around it was not hard to sit back and enjoy my surroundings.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from my first class seat as we start our journey today.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

We pass through many small villages along the way.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Local people set up to sell their merchandise.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Some of the vendors have a wide variety of products to sell.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

View of a local village as we pass through.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view of the country side along the way.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

As we weave our way through the beautiful scenery, it wasn't hard to see why they call this journey one of the “Great Railway Journeys of the World”. Our relatively slow moving train found its way through the high Altiplano where we reached heights of over 3900 meters. We seen many herds of Llamas and Alpacas along the way and had a chance to stop at the highest point where we were again greeted by merchants trying to sell us their homemade products.

Train stop

Train stop

Some of the many merchants at the train stop.

Train stop

Train stop

Another view of the many merchants that we encounter.

Train stop

Train stop

Another view

Train stop

Train stop

We didn't have to walk too far to feel the high altitude effect, none of us ventured too far from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

We are on our way again heading to the city of Cusco.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train. Life appears to be very secluded in this area.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train going through a small village.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Many of the vendors are trying to catch our attention as we travel slowly through a small village.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train. You can see in the distance that the local people try to farm the land as high as possible.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

A view from the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Some the local people put on some entertainment for us on the train.

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

Train ride from Puno across the Altiplano going into Cusco

We are now getting close to the city of Cusco, this river looks fresh and clean but when we get closer to the city it all changes. As we get near the end of our train journey we enter the outskirts of Cusco (3415 meters) and see a somewhat disturbing site. The river that runs away from this City of one million people is totally polluted with garbage. It appears that everything is just dumped over the banks with no control to stop it. It is one of the worst polluted areas that I have seen to this point. As we enter the city limits our train moves away from the river and we now pass some of the local housing areas. The garbage is still evident but not near as bad. As we get closer to the train station it is nearing dusk. None of the pictures that I took during this part of the trip turned out due to darkness.

Once we get off the train it was a mad rush to get in line to claim our luggage. A little pushing as there were a few groups trying to get their luggage and load their bus so we could get to our hotels sooner. We check in shortly after 6: 00 pm and decide against a group dinner. The streets in Cusco along our hotel are considered to be fairly safe compared to the other places we have visited in Peru up to this point. I end up going for a walk to the Town Square on my own; it was only a short walk away and it was a beautiful site to see at night with all the lights. Many old buildings surround the square, I was a little tried from all the travel and decided to buy a few supplies at the local store and then called it a night and headed back in the hotel.

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