The four lakes

After our intense visit to Machu Picchu and our 200m climb+ 600m descent, we are mind-blown and exhausted. We catch the train back out, with drinks offered and handicraft souvenirs presented. There follows a night in Ollantaytambo and a day’s cycle ride back into Cusco.

Boosted by a tasty Peruvian-Italian dinner, in Cusco, we begin the post Machu Picchu era of our lives. We plan with optimism a 90km stage to Cusipata in the direction of Lake Titicaca. This journey starts with 15km of comfortable bicycle lane out of Cusco -- are any of the great western capitals offering this? After that, we are back in the highway world of cars and trucks. So by the time we reach the end of the day, the decision to head off into the mountains is firmly made.

Our lodge on the riverbank in Cusipata is very fine and our host Americo is great company. The next day, we avoid the main traffic by setting off early and, after a few km, we are climbing steeply to reach the 3600m level of a series of four quiet lakes. Now we can take our time and enjoy the views and colors!Read more