From Puno there is easy access to Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire.  The empire at its height in the 15th century stretched from Ecuador to central Chile and some evidence that they reached deep into the Amazon. 

Cusco has countless bars and restaurants where many travellers gather and there are many excursions including the Manu Reserve in the Amazon.  From Cusco it is a short journey to the Sacred Valley which is filled with interesting villages and archaeological sites from Pisac in the east to Machu Picchu in the west. 

The Incas were a very sophisticated society, some believe the river of the Sacred Valley circled via the milky way and therefore provided a link to the gods, the condor is also sacred for this reason.  The layout of each Inca town in the valley was in the shape of a sacred animal or plant mirroring their constellations in the night sky (ref The Sacred Valley, A New Perspective, found in Cusco), for example from Huayna Picchu peak a condor can be seen from the outline of Macchu Picchu.  Sun temples are specifically located to view the first shaft of light through the mountains at sunrise on the summer and winter solstice, a technique used to help with the harvest. 

Ollantaytambo is filled with archaeological sites and from here a short ride took me to the start of the Inca Trail at km88.  The 35km trail starts at 2500m winding up a long valley via small farming villages and interesting fauna reaching the first pass of 4200m, where it drops into a steep fertile basin and up over a second pass of 3800m.  From here distant mountain peaks and cloud forest making the remainder of the walk outstanding passing various Inca sites en route.  Camp at Winay-Wayna and an early start for sunrise over Macchu Picchu from the sun gate of Intipunku, 10:00am is when the first tourist buses arrive but a day here is magnificent, the train back out of the valley is one great experience. 

A long drive to the Colca Canyon and condor spotting before reaching Arequipa.

Cusco, Peru
The spanish built a beautiful colonial city over the previous Inca capital.  The city is shaped in the form of the sacred puma.  A good base from which to arrange trips to the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail.

Inca Walls, Cusco, Peru
Many Inca treasures were destroyed by the Spanish.  In this alley, Spanish constructed a church using the angled Inca stone foundation.

Cusco, Peru
This may be a historic street scene, or possibly someone looking for tourists - I am not sure but it looks good.

Sun Temple, Ollantaytambo, Peru
Not finished, this sun temple is an example of the Inca's earthquake resistant stonework.  It is located in a position were the sun and mountains could be used to identify the summer solstice.

Peruvian Panpipes, Peru (170K)
Can not avoid this music in Cusco and the surrounding area. After a few piscos you'll be swinging your partner.

Locals, Chinchero, Peru
Throughout Peru as in Bolivia, there are many colourful people.  In this town the Inca language of quechua is still widely spoken and people here are used the cameras. 

Inca Trail, Peru
The 35km trail covers two passes (4200, 3800m) through a farming valley, mountain ridges, Inca sites, wet forest and cloud forest.  Many free camping spots en route, the best spot is just before the steep descent to Phuyopatamarca where there are excellent views.

Machu Picchu, Peru
Discovered in 1911 and perched on this isolated mountain it is not surprising the Spanish missed it.  From the last camp site at Wiñay-Wayna it is 2 hours to the sungate of Intipunku to observe the sunrise before descending to the site.  Machu Picchu is laid out in the form of a condor.

Colca Canyon, Peru
The 1800m deep canyon is home to the condor and set in a farming area.

Colca Canyon, Peru
Condors are usually seen early in the morning rising up the canyon on the thermals, this one rose at about 10:00am.  The second largest bird in the world, it has a wingspan of around 2m.