Moving Day: Arequipa to Cusco
We arose in the wee hours of the morning and headed to Arequipa airport for an early flight to Cusco, scheduled to depart not long after sunrise. As our plane taxied for take-off, we had a marvelous view of Chachani volcano, with the Peruvian coat of arms in the dry grass next to the runway. As the plane circled around, gaining altitude, Misti and Pichu Pichu were silhouetted against the rising sun. Then I had my first look at the far side of Chachani as we headed north toward Cusco.
I had intended to nap on the short (less than one hour) flight, but the view out my window was too fascinating to miss. Around Arequipa, rivers carved deep canyons through dry, brown neighborhoods. As we left the city and flew into the heart of the Andes, the terrain became completely barren, even around the lakes. The mountains were too high and desolate for any trees or vegetation to grow.
As we neared Cusco, the mountains gradually became more green. Now there were valleys with rivers, and towns with trees and green patches of farmland. Cusco, the third largest city in Peru, was an urban sprawl of largely brick buildings that filled the valley and climbed the mountainsides.
We were excited - Amy would be arriving at Cusco Airport in just a few hours, and the three of us would tour the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!
