2013 Nov. Amazon Rainforest. Puerto Maldonado.
Day 1
Flew in to Puerto Maldonado from Cusco. We checked-in at the Butterfly House, then a 10 minute transfer to the Boarding Wharf for a 45-minute boat transfer along the river to our accommodation Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion. I had always wanted to visit the amazon after seeing so many documentaries on National Geographic. Not knowing what to expect, I was so excited to be here in the amazon jungle!
2013 Nov. Huayna Picchu. Aguas Calientes.
After 4 days of trekking and camping without proper toilet and bathroom, being able to take a shower in the hotel finally in Aguas Calientes was such a welcomed luxury. Never felt so clean and refreshed, after being marinated in sweat and rain, infused with local wild herbs and sun-baked for 4 days. We had a happy celebration lunch with our wonderful guides and the bunch of awesome people who made the Inca Trail trek so fun and memorable.
2013 Nov. Inca Trail Trek (4 Days) to Machu Picchu.
Inca Trail is one of the most well known sacred pilgrimages around the world. This 4-day trek through the Urubamba Valley towards the citadel of Machu Picchu is definitely an unique once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was really blessed to have awesome local guides and wonderful hiking companions, which made the trek so fun and memorable.
Day 1
Inca Trail starts at Piscacucho/KM82 where we began our hike to Wayllabamba.
2013 Nov. Cusco. Sacred Valley.
The journey from Puno to Cusco was via tour bus, which stopped along the way for sightseeing in the Southern Sacred Valley.
2013 Nov. Lake Titicaca. Uros. Taquile.
Lake Titicaca, located in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is the largest lake in South America, and the highest navigable lake in the world with a surface elevation of 3,812m (12,507ft).
A short boat ride from Puno, we arrive in Uros, which is a group of 44 or so artificial islands made of floating reeds (totora). The purpose of the island settlements was originally defensive, and if a threat arose they could be moved.
2013 Nov. Colca Canyon.
Set off for our Colca Canyon tour by van, which was even more bumpy. As we were ascending in altitude, we bought some coca leaves to chew on along the way. I am taking drugs, how naughty and exciting! (coca leaves is a common altitude sickness remedy in Peru, but banned and illegal in Singapore). Colca Canyon, one of Peru’s top tourist destinations, is an area of astounding scenic beauty and best known as one of the world’s deepest canyons at 4,160m (13,640 feet).
2013 Nov. Arequipa.
Took a 1.5hr domestic flight from Lima to Arequipa. Arequipa is Peru’s second most important city (after Lima), and second most popular among tourists (after Cuzco). The city centre is a UNESCO world heritage site, and we were lucky to have a university professor who works part time as a tour guide to give us a very detailed introduction of Arequipa. Arequipa is an example of Spanish and mestizo culture developed in Peru. There are no Inca artifacts or ruins in the city.
2013 Nov. Buggy & Sandboard in Ica. Oasis in Huacachina.
First time in a desert with vast sand dunes, so exciting! Ica’s location in the desert provides unique opportunities for tourism. We moved around in sand buggy and tried sand boarding which was really fun!
2013 Nov. Ballesta Islands.
These islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna, and best known for bird shit! Tonnes of bird shit here are harvested as fertiliser which is an important industry. Nicknamed “The Poor Man’s Galapagos”, the islands are home to thousands of birds and mammals including penguins, sea lions, Inca terns and pelicans. The islands are protected, so no swimming with the animals or walking on the islands, but you can get very close to them by boat.
2013 Nov. Paracas. Nazca Lines.
A long bumpy bus ride took us to Paracas, nearby to Ica where we took a flight tour to see the Nazca Lines. It was a nice way to see the country. The landscape was austere and bare for most part, where desert-like land meets the sea. Pleasantly surprised when we reach our hotel La Hacienda Bahía Paracas, it was a beautiful resort in the middle of nowhere. 🙂
