Our last few days in La Paz were interesting, as the street outside our hotel had a fiesta. Music and dancing until 5am, including the day that we had to leave at 8am! They sure do know how to party around here.

From La Paz we took a boat on Lake Titicaca to our homestay. We stayed with Hilda and Moses and their daughter Marie Vanessa on the island of Amantani. In the evening we put on traditional dress and went dancing in the local community hall. At 3820m above sea level, walking at this altitude is a struggle let alone dancing, but we sleep well that night. Following a visit to the floating reed islands we are soon enroute to Cuzco. Cuzco is very picturesque and full of spanish colonial buildings, but it is also the most touristy place that we have visited so far. From Cuzco we have visited many inca ruins in the sacred valley nearby.

We started our 4 day trek on Friday 9th October through the Lares valley culminating in a early morning visit to Macchu Picchu. True luxury camping, brand new tents, 3 course lunch and dinner and 5 staff plus a guide to look after us. The highest pass that we trek through is 4600m, a bit of a struggle, but we did it. Unfortunately a lot of the paths are loose soil and shale and Abby finds she has to walk very slowly to stay upright, so we bring up the rear most of the time, but get to each stopping point in good time.

Macchu Picchu was everything we expected it to be, we had to get up at 4:30am to get there for the 6am opening-amazing ruins of the Inca Empire and fabulous mountain scenery.