Here is a map of our trip. The section from Cusco to Machu Picchu is not shown since it is by rail (the only way to get there other than hiking). Once we left Nazca, the rest of the trip was at serious altitudes. We flew back from Arequipa to Lima to end the trip.

Our group was comprised of 18 intrepid travellers. 2 from Canada (Maggie & I), 1 from Australia, 1 from Denmark, 2 from Ireland (which is NOT part of the UK), and the rest from the UK. Most in their 30's and 40's so Maggie and I were the elders. The group got along together amazingly well. We had more than one bus and all but one short ride had toilets (number one only) so we travelled in relative comfort. Hats off to bus drivers who navigated many scary roads (and kept the windows clean so we had a great view of the hair pin turns and non-existent shoulders).

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Maggie and I had a couple of days in Lima enjoying the colour and local art and crafts.

Lima is above the cliffs which fall off to the sea. The Humbolt current travels along the coastline here so there is often sea fog and drizzle. It seldom rains hard in the summer. Lima can be cool at times.

Maggie and I stayed in the Miraflores district south of the city centre. Lima used to be a city with very high rates of crime but it has been cleaned up over the past couple of decades. Miraflores, in particular, is safe night and day. Lima is still a city of chaotic traffic (that they have not solved) and zero city urban planning. We saw old run down buildings next to modern buildings. Art galleries were found in unlikely spots but it was fun searching them out.

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Llama and Alpaca wool products everywhere. Often very colourful and always very soft.

They even have pet pigs in Lima.

Some of the graffiti was colourful and artistic.

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With such mild and moist weather in the winter on the coast, there were lots of beautiful flowers. Winter is the rainy season on the coast but the dry season inland in the mountains (as you will see).

Modern Art Museum - some very creative art.

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It was quite a walk but we went to the Mate Photographic Museum (Mario Testino's Museum) which we found in the middle of an old run down section of Barranca, south of Miraflores. What a fascinating life Testino led photographing famous people around the world. He was the last person to have a photo session with Princess Diana before her tragic death.

Testino has a wonderful series of photos of Peruvians from the Cusco area in native dress. Such elaborate costumes are seen less and less as the younger generations opt for western style clothes.

Much of the landscape we saw was very brown, especially in the mountains. In contrast, Peruvians incorporate a lot of colour in the dress and even their buildings.

The harbour at Paracas. Colourful fishing boats.

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Next, we visited a winery. If you have never had Peruvian wine, there is a good reason. All their red wines are "very" sweet and are not exported. They age their wines in the large clay vessels (they stand chest high).

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Our next adventure was a thrilling dune buggy ride in the sand dunes near Ica. The dunes are huge and stretch as far as they eye can see.