Before the trip to Peru, we were all warned about the altitude of Cusco. Cusco was once the capital of the Inca empire and has an elevation of 11,152 feet above sea level. With that knowledge, we all ate food riched with iron and high in carb prior to the trip. We were also told to drink coca and muna tea to help with altitude sickness. I didn’t do any of this. I got a prescription from my doctor that I didn’t take. This is so me….lol.
Anywho, the road to Machu Picchu was going to be interesting. Rather than spending the night in Cusco, we made the decision to head to Machu Pachu. So after dropping off our bags at the hotel, we started our road trip en route to picking up our train to Machu Picchu in Ollyantambo.
Full disclosure and disclaimer, the roads to Machu Picchu are unpaved, bumpy and winding. So if you have a Fitbit, you will get your steps and floors….ijs.
However, the drive is very scenic with snow-capped mountains.
Sacred Valley
Our first stop was to a llama farm in Chincherro which is part of the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru’s Andean highlands. Along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. Stretching roughly 60 km (37 miles), it’s an area of fertile farmland and Spanish colonial villages. You know I had to drop some facts. 😛
Now about the llamas. I will be honest, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a llama, sheep, or an alpaca. For part of the day, I kept saying a-la-paca. 😆They all look like. So, the llama farm is going to be interesting.
Known Facts about llamas
The llama is a domesticated South American camelid, widely used as a meat and pack animal by Andean cultures.
Lifespan: 20 years (In the wild)
Scientific name: Lama glama
Gestation period: 11 months
Weight: 290 – 440 lbs (Adult)
Height: 5.6 – 5.9 ft. (Adult, At the top of the head)
Anywho, we had a chance to get up close and personal.
Well, one of my travel buddies, I won’t mention her name (the Virgo), got a little too close and the llama didn’t appreciate it lol.
Watch the video! We shouldn’t laugh but it was hilarious.
[embedyt]https://youtu.be/OS-AhRaJ98w[/embedyt]
Remember don’t do a corny joke to a llama. There is never a dull moment traveling with me. Let me put a special trip for you, contact me.