Cusco & Machu Picchu by Mel part 2

Read part 1 first!
Friday the 28th of October, was our last full day in Cusco and we went on another day trip, to the 7 colours mountains, or Vinicunca. A bus picked us up (really early, around 4.30am) and drove for a couple of hours to a place where we got quads (they call them ATV here). We got on the quad and drove for around 40 minutes to get closer to our destination. The rest had to be done by foot. The thing is, this area is around 5000 meters above sea level: which means a lot less oxygen, so a lot harder to breath. We walked slowly to keep our energy. It took us just under 1 hour to get to the 7 colours mountain. Andrew had almost no issue and was walking pretty easily, even chatting while doing so. Kev was ok too I think. Me and Emma had a bit more issue. But we took our time and did it.
Vinicunca is a mountain made of a lot of different mineral and rocks, which give it different colours. It is a popular tourist destination, so obviously, it was pack at the top and where there is tourist, there is local sellers (food, drinks, magnets and more). But it was worth it. We were pretty happy with ourselves to have done it (well we cheated a bit with the quads, some people trek all the way, but I’m not sure I could have done it at that height), but still! The landscapes of the 7 colours mountain, but also all around, with glaciers around, valley with amazing colours… It is a sight to see. Also Andrew and Emma were super happy as we saw a bit of snow on the way up and they could touch it! They have been wanting to touch snow for ages!
It was a great way to finish our last day in this region.
The next day was packing day again. We got a bus for Lima (another 24 hours bus trip). We left around 1pm on Saturday and arrived Sunday around 1pm in Lima. The trip wasn’t too bad except that they played movies in the bus, that were not kid appropriate: a lot of really bloody and violent movies (I’m talking heads being blown off, limbs being cut off and this kind of things: I didn’t even want to watch). The kids had to try to not look at the screen, which is not easy for them. Lucky they are avid readers and had their head in their books most of the time, but it was not fun.
Cusco was a pleasure to visit. There is still so much more to see: one month can be spent here to visit all the thing the city and the area have to offer.
That is it for now. I’ll see you in Lima for our last couple of days in South America.
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