Two millennia before the Inca would exist to create Machu Picchu in Eastern Peru, the Nazca people ruled the deserts 197 miles (317 km) to the West. The region is scattered with ruins, leaving behind clues to this ancient civilization. Continue reading “Nazca, Peru”
I don’t think I saw this region properly. I don’t often say that. But considering that the Inca Ruins were among the places that I was most excited to explore in South America, I have to be honest and say that if I ever do it a second time in life, I will do it differently. Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful time and am thrilled that I finally made it here. But those of you planning your Cusco trips, please learn from my mistakes! Continue reading “The Ruins of Cusco & The Sacred Valley – Learn From My Mistakes.”
Having spent a full month just in Cusco, 1 blog post doesn’t seem like fair attention to this fascinating place. So I am going to break this up into 3 posts. This post is dedicated to the City of Cusco, as well as the Inti Raymi festival that I was lucky to be able to celebrate there.
When I first set my sights on South America, Machu Picchu felt like the pinnacle that had to be reached. My initial plan was to start in the South of Patagonia, and finish 4 months later in Cusco, the launching point for visitors from around the globe visiting the wondrous Inca ruins. That is not what happened. After 4 months, I hadn’t even reached Peru. So I returned to South America a second time, this time with 6 months to spare. The second time around, I still had my heart set on visiting Machu Picchu, but I no longer envisioned it as the climax of my journey. After being awestruck by so many unexpected things along my way, Machu Picchu became another exciting stop along a journey that would continue well beyond.
Continue reading “Cusco, City and Celebration”
From Sucre (click to read about my time in the city), it is possible to venture out of the city to visit breathtaking mountainscapes. I debated between hiking to see dinosaur footprints, or rock paintings. I opted for the rock-painting hike, but I would have done both if I had more time. Continue reading “Pumamachay and Incamachay”
Tilcara, Tilcara, Tilcara… Where do I even begin? I arrived here on the 21st of April with the intention of staying for 3 nights on my way to Bolivia. A month later, I am begrudgingly preparing to leave this charming little pueblo tomorrow. This town truly is special, and as many other’s have described it, “magical”. Continue reading “Tilcara, Jujuy, Argentina”