The group all united with a warm Cusco welcome and have been enjoying getting to know one another, sharing lots of jokes! The Inca Cultural Festival, Inti Raymi “Festival of the Sun”, that happens around Winter Solstice every year took place while the group was in Cusco. This was full of beautiful colors in the costumes and the display of decorations in the streets. One day at lunch the whole group was serenaded by an accordion player on the street, which brought smiles to everyone.
They headed to our host Karina’s farm in Ollantaytambo on Monday. Many activities have been packed in, in the past few days! The group visited a local school where they helped facilitate games for the local students and practice their Spanish skills.
The ruins in Ollantaytambo were a highlight for all, enjoying the views in this mountainous region and acclimating to the altitude. The group is at 9,160 feet currently! Everyone is adjusting well and had some good hiking practice in the ruins and then at the Salt flats, which helped to prepare them for their upcoming longer trek.
Our host Karina gave the group some intro-Quechua lessons that all participated in. The group is really enjoying their surroundings and getting to know one another in the sunny winter climate of Ollantaytambo, northwest of Cusco.
