More on Peru

As previously mentioned  last October we spent some time in Peru.  There were many highlights to this trip but for me I loved our time spent in the Amazon - we stayed at Tambopata Research Centre where in 5 days we saw 211 species of bird including 13 species of parrot at the clay lick.  Wayne loved the high altitude birding of the Andes and the scenery at Colca Canyon was truly spectacular made even more special by the 6 Andean Condors cruising down the canyon.  Our vist to Paracas on the coast and trip to the Ballestas Island gave me a long awaited dream bird the Inca Tern.  On the boat to the Ballestas Islands you have magnificent views of the geoglyph Candelabra which some connect to the Nazca Lines but in truth no one knows the origin.
 On previous birding trips around the world we very rarely do any 'touristy' things but we could not go to Peru without a visit to the lost city of the Incas - Machu Pichu.  The day of our visit started with the 5.30 Peru-rail train from Ollantaytambo which takes you to Aguas Calientes.  This journey is magnificent in itself but nothing compared to the bus ride from Aquas Calientes to Machu Pichu and then your first view of the ruins is just mind blowing.