Travelogue for Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos

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 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.

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.

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.