Best use of AA miles. RT JFK- Cuzco is only 60 k  AA miles , Its a pain having to call for award seats but worth it after experiencing LAN seats which lie flat (unlike AA), better food and much better lounge (OASIS) at JFK and Lima.By the time we got on the plane, we were already so full from the free booze and food from the lounge.

Arrived in Cuzco with the storm troopers. The president was there so security was extra tight. Taxi quoted us 150 soles ($60) for the 90 minute taxi to sacred valley, but we walked out of the airport and haggle with the drivers outside and got it for 80 soles ($30)

One of the nicest starwood properties! It was going for $300 a night but got it cash and points for $60+ 4000 pts. But it was sooo empty. I think they lost money on us. We didn't eat any meals at the hotel since food was so cheap in Peru. Lunch with soup, app, entree and dessert was 15 soles ($6)! 

The train station is right at the hotel. We booked with perurail in advance through the concierge. But  you can buy the tickets from perurail booth when you arrive at the airport in Lima or Cuzco. On the way back, we were treated to a fashion show from the male and female stewards. The girl was really good too, but the guy seems embarrassed about the whole thing. Afterwards, they sell you the alpaca clothing that they modeled. Of course it was ten times the price of what they were offering at the market.

This guide offered a two hour tour for 100 soles. She first said no to our 60 soles offer but ran after us when we walked away. 

This is after the first hundred or so stairs, so we weren't dying and plastered with sweat yet. 

Every time we asked the guide what the particular ruin was for she would always say "storage" Its like 90% of Machu Picchu was for storage. Either she's lying or they re like in the TV show "hoarders"

 Condor rock. They place the dead here so their spirits will be lifted to the heavens. Hopefully not yet for us though!

I chickened out in several places. There were parts where it is just a 2ft wide step and hundred foot drop on either side with nothing to hold on to. I took the longer but less dangerous way, hugging the wall every time i took one step. I was so sore the next day.

 

The Incas were only 3 ft tall! When you look at the terraces and houses you would think they were giants, but the terraces are for planting crops and the  houses actually have two floors inside.