The Canyon

Condors & Coca

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October 29th 2006
Early wake up call and met our over enthusiastic guide for the day. Stopped at our guides family shop (not an uncommon stop throughout all of our adventures) and bought the necessary coca leaves to cope with altitude. Coca leaves are legal in Peru. Basically you grab 12-15 leaves, put them to one side of your mouth and start chewing. It tastes pretty horrible , much like grass and you keep chewing ... read more

South America » Peru » Arequipa » Chivay

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Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1... ... read more