From Puno, we boarded a train to take us to Cuzco (11,204′), built on the foundations of the old Inca capital. The trains were also a surprise…uniformly good and comfortable. Our group spent train time bonding…playing cards…drinking more Coca Leaf Tea…sharing stories and experiences…still gasping for breath in that thin air. Acclimitizing to altitude like this doesn’t happen overnight, and most of our hilarity was probably the result of oxygen deprivation!
En route, there was one funny train incident. Some sort of communication problem occurred at a local station. The only method our conductor had of sending a message to the next station was to stand on top of the station house, take a metal pole, and attach to the overhead electrical rail wires. Good entertainment.

sending a message on the train to Cuzco
Chugged through the flat Altiplano with beautiful scenery, snow-capped mountains behind…View image

Llamas and Alpacas grazing everywhere. View image
(I can’t tell the difference between a Llama and an Alpaca but don’t they have great personalities?)

Mr. Personality
Whenever the train stopped, women (in their snazzy bowler hats) were waiting by the tracks (or running alongside the train), selling their handwoven sweaters, alpaca hats and rugs, dolls, weavings, and food. View image It was one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip.

shopping opportunities on the train ride to Cuzco, Peru
Chugged in to Cuzco….