Pearls of Life: From the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente, Peru.

Noy and Hilla strolling the streets of Aguas Caliente, Peru.

Fascinated with the facts that me and my daughters, Noy and Hilla, were able to reunite together in Peru. We decided to celebrate this unique and important event by traveling and discovering the Sacred Valley way from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente door to the Machu Picchu, one of 7 world wonders in Peru.

We started the journey by arriving to Lima, Peru, as every flight in Peru is going through Lima. Lima, the capital of Peru, is a beautiful city by itself with the ocean and the cliffs. Then, we took the flight from Lima to Cusco and spent the night in Cusco. Cusco, the capital of this Eastern part of Peru, is where the entrance to the Sacred Valley is. When you arrive to Cusco, immediately you know you have arrived to the native Peruvian people, authentic indigenous and openness to a different culture. Then, from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, you can take a taxi or you can take a local taxi bus with local people, a way that takes an hour and a half.

Deciding to take the local taxi ride with the local indigenous people was a very smart decision. It was a real experience going through the Sacred Valley. Part of the way is so scary because there are very sharp turns and the road is not paved with asphalt. If it rains, the road can be flooded and you are stuck in the middle of the way. The taxi drivers are very familiar with every turn and with the other people on the way. They have their way to mark the conditions of the journey to each other. The view of the cliffs and the green and the villages and animals on the way is a memorable sanctuary, as this is the valley of the sanctuary views.

Market street in Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru.

Arriving at Ollantaytambo, and going to our hotel located on the canal. Ollyantaytambo is sitting in the valley between the cliffs and the hiking and the mountains. Surrounded all green and full of jungle-like nature, water streams in the street via the canals of the town. Ollantaytambo is the city of the indigenous people. You can see them living there, sitting there and having their markets. You can see how they live their authentic lives in this area of the Sacred Valley of Peru.

View on the way to Machu Picchu from Aguas Caliente.

In Ollantaytambo, enjoying the hiking, the local festival, strolling in the streets and watching nature are the characteristics of this ancient Peruvian city. From Ollantaytambo, you have the train to Aguas Calientes, the Peruvian city on the banks of Machu Picchu. On a yearly basis, many tourists do the way from Cusco to Machu Picchu and they all have to take the train through Ollantaytambo. Some are brave and do a few days hiking from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, but that is only recommended for experienced hikers with very good health.

The train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Caliente is very interesting. The view from the cliffs since the train goes through the Sacred Valley is incredible. You feel like the cliff is closing over you from above and both sides since the train that we took had a glass ceiling. The team in the train performed Peruvian dances and songs with musical instruments. Additionally, they were selling custom made merchandise all from Alpaca wool. Hilla was chosen to dance with the lead dancer of the team that performed in the train. Taking this train was a once in a lifetime experience.

Hilla in the butterfly garden in Aguas Caliente, Peru.

Arriving at Aguas Caliente, you already are filled with good memories and extraordinary experience of sanctuary views. On my next blog, I will let you know about my experience in the Peruvian market in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Caliente.

Noy in the butterfly garden in Aguas Caliente, Peru.

Aguas Caliente is a beautiful little town sitting on the rocks and cliffs of Machu Picchu, with water streaming all time of the year in the rivers and waterfalls surrounding the town and crossing the town via its water canals. The people in Aguas Caliente are authentic native Peruvians with some immigration from surrounding countries of South America. The market is vibrant and full of good food, vegetables, fresh coffee, nice bars and restaurants and everything you need in order to get to Machu Picchu. There are many volunteers to guide you about the history of Machu Picchu and to tour the city with you. It is fascinating to hike in the area and to enjoy the particular farms of butterflies and original production of coffee. This trip is highly recommended and I have checked off visiting one of the seven world wonders, Machu Picchu.