World Cruise 2013: Day 10 - Callao (Lima), Peru to Cuzco

World Cruise 2013

January 14, 2013

Callao was founded in 1537, just two years after Lima, and soon became the main port for Spanish commerce in the Pacific. This was the first of two night stay in the harbor at Callao.

Lima also called "City of Kings" is the capital and largest city in Peru as well as the capital of Lima Province.

Today was the start of a 3-day/2-night overland Adventure to Cuzco & Machu Picchu. We departed the pier at 8 AM for a bus ride to the airport at Lima. The plane left at 10:05 AM and arrived in Cuzco at 11:25 AM. I was transferred to the Hotel Monasterio, checked into the hotel and waited for the rest of the group to arrive on a later plane. We had lunch at the hotel and from 3 PM to 6 PM we had a city tour through colonial Cuzco to see the main square, the cathedral and the Temple of Korikancha. We had dinner at a local restaurant located near the hotel.
The elevation of Cuzco is 11,152 and most of the people including myself had a slight headache which lasted until the next day.

Originally built in 1595, Hotel Monasterio sits on the site of Inca Amaru Qhala’s palace. Three year’s later, the Spanish took it over and founded the Seminary of San Antonio Abad.
An earthquake seriously damaged the building in 1650, and upon restoration the beautiful Chapel was added.

In 1965, the building was remodeled as a hotel.

Hotel Monasterio is now a national historic landmark, protected by Peru’s National Institute of Culture.

Below are some pictures of Day 1 of my tour.