We jumped into a taxi from Cuidad del Este, with the intention of heading to the Paraguayan border to cross over to Brazil. However a miscommunication meant our taxi driver took us across the border and we didn’t get stamped out of Paraguay, however we did get stamped into Brazil safely and a short bus ride later we made it to our hostel. We spent the rest of the day chilling out by the pool, and then went for dinner with Adam and Sarah, the couple we had met in Colca Canyon. The next day we got up early with the intention of going to the Iguacu falls on an early-ish bus. We were offered a private transfer and entrance to the nearby bird park for a reasonable price by our hostel, so took up the ... read more

We arrived in Tupiza at around 4am, with no map to hand we set off to find our hotel. Being told that it was a small town we were surprised by how big it actually seemed. After getting directions from another place owned by the hotel we finally got into our rooms and got a bit more sleep! After breakfast we spent most of the day by the pool, and in the evening went to a local parillia place for a big plate of meat! Next morning it was time for our horse riding adventure to begin. After sauntering to the stables we saddled up (or more believably were plonked on our horses) and set off to the canyons. After a trip down a steep hill, in which Charlene's horse would not do as it was ... read more

Managed to find a really nice hostel in Sucre, Hostel Escondida, so nice we decided to stay for around a week. One of the first things we did was to book into a Spanish Language school for a three day course. The lessons were enjoyable and we definitely learnt some useful stuff, including the odd naughty word! We took advantage of the hostel kitchen and the food market opposite us and were able to make a low salt lunch and dinner for ourselves (they love salty food in South America). We also managed to have poached eggs! On Thursday Morning we went to see some dinosaur footprints and meteorite craters. The span of the triceratops footprints was massive. In the evening we went to a dance show where we were treated to some traditional dances from ... read more

Left Puno (thank God!). Hopped onto the bus to take us across to Copacabana. Bus stopped and we basically walked across the border. Thomas, a German guy we met on the jungle trek, was telling us horror stories about what to expect but apart from Adam nearly walking into the room set aside for cavity searches, all went smoothly. Copacabana was nice although we paid way over the odds for our hostel. Had a massive trout each, freshly caught from Lake Titicaca. Visited the Isla del Sol on the lake which was very scenic but arguably the high point for Charlene was the little piglets! From there we went on the bus to La Paz, Bolivia's capital. We spent a couple of days partying then had to calm in down. Stuart went to play golf on ... read more

We arrived in the white city, Arequipa at around 09:30 on Fri 9th and got a hostel near the Plaza des Armas. Took it easy and booked our next bus tickets as well as the Colca Canyon trek starting Sunday. Saturday went to see Juanita the "Ice Princess" in Museo Sanctuarios Andinos, a 500 year old mummified teenager who was sacrificed at the summet of the Ampato volcano. Sunday we left at 3am for the Colca trek. Drove to Chivay in the Canyon to have breakfast before going to the Cruz de Condor where you can see the Condor doing their morning rounds. Then we drove to the start point of the trek. The first day was very hard for us both as it was about midday when we began the main part of the walk ... read more