From Ayacucho to Abancay

On our way to the secret valley, we did two stops to avoid a more than 20 hour bus drive.

Our journey brought us to the sleepy village 'Ayacucho' with a lovely Plaza de Armas and many many churches. The bus drive during the night to get there was quite harsh due to the altitude change and the many turns of the road.

While wandering around the town, we discovered a lovely handcraft market with a nice 'mirador'. People in Ayacucho love parades and celebrate every day of the week another special event.

Furthermore, we enjoyed the lovely sounds of charango (a small Andean guitar) during the 'Festival Internacional del Charango'.

After spending a few days here, we continued to Abancay, where we relaxed and gathered strength for the upcoming rough hike in the secret valley.

Plaza de Armas in Ayacucho.

One of the many official parades.

The mirador next to the handcraft market in Santa Ana.

Our Mini-Van to Abancay.

We had the chance to enjoy beautiful landscapes along the road.

A riverbed with small amounts of water.

Most Peruvian women wear big dark hats and braided plaits.

The road doesn't only belong to the vehicels but also to the many animals passing by.

A lovely view during our journey to Abancay.

Found in a Peruvian magazine, this comic strip resumes the waste problem of most of the Peruvians.