Above, Russ is on one of the many sets of stairs that are on the Inca Trail. The white granite blocks are the paving stones of this ancient Inca Highway.

Above left, we enjoy our first view of Machu Picchu as we descend the trail from the Sun Gate.

Left, Bridget enjoys one of the many Llamas roaming Machu Picchu. The llamas are fuzzy and difficult to refrain from petting despite fear of being spit upon! :O

Lake Titicaca is the world's highest lake sitting at an elevation of 12,500 feet. The lake is unique as it harbors true physical islands as well as "floating" islands made out of reeds. The picture shown here is on a floating island with a reed boat in the background. The native Uros people continue to live on the floating islands, where they are not taxed as it is not land. The primary livelihood of the Uros people is now tourism.

Right, this arch stands on magnificent Amantani island which is an actual physical island.

Below, Bridget stands with Serafina, our hostess while staying on Amantani island. Serafina's farm is visible behind where she grows the common root vegetables eat in Peru such as potatoes and carrots.

Left, Bridget holds a miniature replica of a reed cat boat. The reed boats made by the Uros people sport a number decorations, from cats to llama heads. We decided to take a ride on the reed boat, which feels much like a giant canoe. Beautiful Lake Titicaca is visible in the background, along with more floating islands.

The Uros people use reeds for sustanance as well as for building islands and boats. The base of the reed is edible - crunchy and without much flavor. Building block reeds eventually rot. Boats last only a certain amount of time. The islands themselves are continually regenerated by the locals throwing down more reeds. The ground on the reed islands is rather damp and cold.

Left, Bridget is in the foreground as we pass by one of two magnificent lakes in the Santa Cruz Valley.

Below, Russ stands with the view from our campsite in the background. Not a bad location! The Paramount Motion Pictures mountain logo is of one of the mountains in the Cordillera Blanca (White Range).

The Santa Cruz trek in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range is a popular trail leading from one valley over a mountain pass through another valley. The scenery is unbelieveably beautiful. Majestic mountains surround the valleys on all sides. This picture is on our way up to the mountain pass, Punta Union (elevation 4750 meters).

The valleys themselves are grazed by cattle, so there are a number of native Peruvians cattle drivers going about their daily business, as well as tourists who come to climb or trek.

We did this trek in the Cashapampa to Vaqueria direction, though it can be hiked in either direction.

Bridget poses with some of the sheep grazing in the Santa Cruz valley. To the left is Toast, our guide's dog. Toast was great hiking companion along our trip; he even carried his own doggie backback. Toast went through a number of name changes until our guide found a name that was fun in English and easily pronounable by the local Peruvians.

Our Santa Cruz trip was guided by Skyline Adventure School, whom we recommend.