Pisco to Cusco was a 19 hr bus ride through winding desertous mountain roads. It was surely nothing compared the the infamous “world’s deadliest road” in Bolivia, but it was still nerve racking looking down steep cliffs from the bus seats. Because of the extreme climb and altitude gain, even with 2-3 motion sickness pills in us apiece, it was still a fight.

When we woke up in the morning, we weren’t in the dry desertous mountains we saw the previous evening, but were driving through green lush valleys on the way to Cusco.

We spent our first two days relaxing in the plaza. Cusco is a place where you can stay for a very modest budget, so we were in no hurry. Away from the touristic center you can find a Grilled Trout breakfast for 5 soles–$1.80–we also found a hostel for 10 soles/night–$3.60!–now, for that price we are staying in what strongly resembles a cave (white washed stone arched walls.) It smelled like a cave to, but cheap is cheap, and if we are traveling for several months, we must squeeze every penny.

By day three or four we finally set out to see the sights. On our first outing we took a microbus out to a ruin site 8km away from town and walked back to town hitting three other archaelogical sites–Tambomachay, Pukapukara, Q’enqo, and Saqsaywamán.

A few days later we visited the incredible Moray ruins, which are located in the prettiest valley in the world.

As we were waiting for the bus to return to Cusco we decided to stick out our thumbs and try to hitch a ride. Sure enough, after two cars a pickup pulled over and we officially hitched our first ride in South America, and Pepe’s first ever. Inside the pickup was a couple and their two young daughters in the back, so we rode in the bed and enjoyed the most beautiful valley I’ve ever seen.

It surely won’t be out last hitch on the trip. We are hoping that will be a main form of transport in Chile and Argentina.

Next: Machu Picchu