We met up with our wonderful REI guides, Katrina and Jorge and spent a few days exploring in and around Cusco.  We were taken up to the Saksaywaman ruin above the city, which is impressive, especially when you learn that many of the ancient stones were removed and used to build the city of Cusco and this went on until the mid 20th century.  We walked through a poor neighborhood down toward the main part of town.  (The poor live up high and the wealthy down below where the services are.)
​  We went to the Pisac ruin and to the town of Pisac, down a long stairway.  Then we continued on along the Urubamba River to a fantastic resort hotel (part of the REI deal!) and from there we went out to see more ruins and sights including the salt ponds of Maras, which was part of another downhill hike.
​  Next part is Machu Piccu