Create your Trip Journal [click here]A cosmopolitan city with Moorish influenced architecture and a historical downtown. The Miraflores District was lively and the walk along the cliffs from Lovers Park to Rabin Park afforded us vista and views of the ocean and cliffs. The bridge of sighs was a new adventure and the covered walkways added to the ambiance of the area. We concluded the day in the LARCOMAR shopping and restaurant complex with a delicious dinner.
The Plaza De Armis and surrounding buildings was fascinating and of course a tour of the Santa Catalina Cathedral with the amazing organ and view from the top was spectacular. The tour of the country side to Yanahuara and the view of the 3 snowcapped volcanoes (Chachani, Misty and Pichu Pichu) was an awesome site.
The highlights for me was the Ice Maiden Inca mummy history and Inca culture at that time, exhibited in the Santuarios Andinos museum. Also the Monastery of Santa Catalina and its fascinating rooms, colors and architecture with absorbing stories of the nuns lives in the early days.
The scenery on the drive to the lodge in the Colca Canyon was varied and different with the first views of the multitude of terraces and each and every available mountain. Llama, El Pacos and Vacondis in their natural environment was exciting to see. Our lodge was extremely comfortable and the usage of the hot springs at night was a treat. The valleys and mountains at the viewing sight for the great condors is a beautiful site and while taking in these views to suddenly see so many great condors flying around in their natural habitat on the thermals created by the air of the valleys, was exciting and a rare treat and thrill.
Entering Puno from the mountain high afforded us a spectacular view of the city and Lake Titicaca. Walking up the 1000s of steps to Condor Hill and getting a bird’s eye view of Puno, Lake Titicaca was worth the hike.
After a delicious meal in a restaurant next to the Plaza De Armis, we visited a museum where we saw a documentary on the various parades and festivals and put on some of the masks and costumes. In the museum was a very interesting exhibit of the influence of the Coca plant on the lives and culture of Peru with samples and ways of making different medicinal compounds.
The Floating Islands of UROS are so unique and fascinating and standing and floating was a unique sensation. The colorful costumes of the inhabitants added to the curiosity associated with these formations.
The Island of Amantani was an eye opener to the life of these inhabitants. Climbing to the top of Pachatata was exciting affording a beautiful sight of the sun setting on Puno and Lake Titicaca. Our hosts were so kind, patient and hospitable and opened their house to us with open arms. Dressing us up in local clothes and inviting us to dance with them in the communal hall was so natural, comfortable and a chance to be part of their culture.
The Island of Tequile allowed us to again see different architecture and seeing men in their cultural dress and natural setting, sewing and knitting was so different and again another view of various aspects to the people of this area.
A 9 hour interesting journey through the Inca history and sites on the luxurious bus the Inca Express. In Pucarra the architectural astute church was surrounded by buildings with bulls on their roofs. The ceramics hand manufacture was fascinating and I bought a broach of colored ceramics in the standard form of Patchamama. Lunch along the way was delicious followed by stops at Urcos home of the last emperor of Cusco and Racchi with the well preserved remains of the Wiracocha temple and walking around the ruins one could feel and enjoy the magnificent Inca architecture. The market was also vibrant and full of life.
A vibrant city full of charming Spanish colonial buildings. The main church with its colonnades and the inside depicting paintings of various religious events was amazing in size, height, length and width.
The Inca Museum was an absolute educational wonder and I learnt more about Peru, its history and culture than I could ever have learnt in a year in college. Just wondering around the Plaza De Armis and side streets leading off the main square was well worth the adventure, encountering different shops items and people than in other places. The other museum of extreme interest was the museum of cloth, clothing and rugs. The color combinations, designs and variety of clothes were amazing.
The views and vista of the farming lands and villages was wonderful to just sit and take in this fair land was satisfying in itself. The Inca temple and surrounding grounds is vast and enormous and one can only wonder and imagine how the stones fitted in perfect patterns were brought to the area and then constructed into the perfect structure. The hike through the ruins of Pisac and climbing up and down to the various Inca and pre-Inca buildings was an adventure getting the feeling of earlier times.
It’s amazing how the terraces were built in a perfect fitting with such large stones of all shapes. This is a very calm area with waterfalls and running streams adding to the tranquility of the town. This was the start point of my Inca Trail Hike with Frontier Expeditions. Kassandra, because of a date conflict placed me with this group for the hike and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Our group consisted of 2 couples from Columbia and a newly married couple from Pamplona, Spain. We all got on so well that we are in constant contact to this day. The hike was so stimulating and great with good and comfortable camp sites, delicious food and Juan my guide was so compassionate, patient combined with a high level of empathy that we became companions and good friends.
The mountainous scenery and valleys were breathtaking and along the paths and around the trails each new scene was amazing. The Inca ruins and discussions were so educational, a classroom in the wild. The variety of flowers are unique to that area and combined with the trees and jungle made a quilt of the glory of nature.
Summiting at Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) was exhilarating and a feat well accomplished. We celebrated with a drink of hot chocolate.
Early morning of the last day, after a short but steep hike, found us at the SUN GATE. As I entered through the Sun Gate there below me in its majestic and glorious beauty was the awesome breathtaking view of MACHU PICCHU. WOW! The vastness and scale amazed me and nothing could have prepared me for this moment. Thank you Kassandra and Frontier Expeditions and my porters, cooks and guide Juan.
The hike down to Machu Pichu was done with excited anticipation of being able to wonder around this historical site.
We spent over 5 hours walking and climbing the paths of the ruins and learned so much of the culture and civilization that once dominated this area. Each building had a story and history attached. Listening to our guide and reading the guide books, brought the whole educational experience alive. Exhausted, but so stimulated by the time spent in this area we reluctantly left.
I liked Aquas Calientes for its simplicity, but unique architecture surrounded by high mountains and constant flow of waterfalls, springs and rivers. At our hotel, INKATERRA, a hotel guide took us around the orchid garden. The variety of sizes, shapes and colors are amazing and who would believe that are so many different orchids. This was a true additional unexpected treat to our trip. The train ride back through the winding Urubamba Valley with the mountains and fast moving rivers with the on board entertainment and fashion show made the journey exciting.
From the time we landed at Puerto Maldonado to the time we left I was in a constant state of sweat and in a bubble of moisture, but it was worth it. Sandoval Lodge was different, but comfortable.
At first the high pitched sound of the cicadas was annoying, but each morning and evening the sound became part of the ambiance of the area and when we left we actually missed them.
Each morning at 4.00am which is the best time to see the animals, birds and water creature we ventured out on the lake. We saw colored Macaws, greenest budgies, colorful butterflies as big as your hand, 4 types of monkeys, schools of otters fishing, flocks of egrets, many lonely blue herons and many small but very colorful birds. An occasional Cayman swimming up to and around our canoe. It became a competition as to who could spot the next bird.
On the hiking adventures into the jungle the huge size of the trees were astounding, who knew that there is a tree called the Walking Tree which actually moves from place to place. The flowers were so different and so deeply colored covering the full spectrum of the rainbow. We went on a night hike which brought out various species of moths with colorful and unique patterns on their wings, plus tarantulas, fire flies and various other creepy crawly insects.
The sunrises and especially the sunsets were amazing and with the reflection of the trees and flowers in the water it completed an awesome experience.
A very scenic city with spectacular views from the Angel Gabriel park. A visit to the mouth of the “dormant” volcano was interesting and the vista was awesome. Of course visiting the equator and standing on each side of the line dividing the northern and southern hemispheres was different. An elevator took us to the top of the main tower where we had a bird’s eye view of the surrounding areas.
At each level on the walk down from the top was the history of each of the tribes in Ecuador accompanied by an exhibit of their locations and their clothes, festivals and main foods. An educational experience showing off the unrivaled diversity in the country.
The main church the La Basilica was large and very impressive inside. The city centre was exciting and the Plaza De Armis is surrounded by the Spanish colonial period buildings and architecture. The Jesuit church inside is the most gold leaf covered sanctuary in the world. The San Francisco church although under reconstruction was most impressive.
Our last night after dinner in the La Mariscal area, we strolled to the Mariscal center where it was alive with side walk cafes, dancing and discotheques. We participated in the activities and had a great time.
On arriving in Santa Cruz, you knew you were in a very unique and one of a kind area of the world. We were able to get up close to the famous Galapagos tortoises in their natural environment. Their size and seeing them walk with that weight was amazing. We explored one of the largest tunnels and were in treated to the Darwin Research Station and the work done to preserve this precious environment.
Seaman II, our boat was very comfortable and the food delicious. We were always welcomed back from our excursions with glasses of juice or cups of hot chocolate a real classy touch of service. Our guide and the boat crew were fantastic and most cooperative, friendly and very helpful and made our voyage very comfortable.
Hiking over the lava fields, climbing the mountains to enjoy the views and seeing flamingos, black/grey colored water iguanas and seals, blue, pink and white footed Boobies, Yellow/brown colored land iguanas and the variety of birds, albatross, Darwin finches and many other varieties was so different from anywhere else we had travelled. At or near sunset we were treated to pods of dolphins and whales.
The three excursions of snorkeling included swimming with large turtles, seals, and the occasional penguin. Going underwater was like being in your own aquarium. Many schools of multicolored fish and large individual fish of all sizes and colors and all very playful.
In San Cristobal our educational experience continued at the Interpretation Center where it was interesting to see the exhibits and the efforts to promote and preserve this unique environment.
The best part of the trip was everything and the worst part (was leaving) but nothing.
A last shout out to Kassandra, Ashley, the Adventure Life staff both in the USA and Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos. You sent us on a memorable Life of Adventure and I will certainly recommend Adventure Life in the future.
Thanks.
