Advertisement
Published: December 16th 2008
Edit Blog Post
Peru - Puno
Lake Titicaca is the worlds highest navigable lake. (See end of Ecuador first)
I arrived in North Peru from Ecuador and had an awful border crossing to be honest I think it was my worst experience since my travels started. I am not a mug and yet there was no other way once you get to the border to get across so I was very pissed off.
I then tried to get a bus in Tumbes and all the night buses to Lima had gone already so I had to get a bus from Tumbes to Trujillo. I was not worried about catching a night bus, but the locals were. They had a large number of black bin liners which they proceeded to hide under seats behind head rest tapping them down to things all very strange. The journey was full of stops which was disconcerting as all stops involved the locals moving their belonging and checking their luggage underneath the seats. In end there were no problems but it had me on the edge of my seat for the whole journey so didn’t sleep much.
Caught another bus straight away to Lima but this was a public bus so it waits till it has enough
Peru - Puno
Lake Titicaca has a number of inhabitants who live on floating islands which are made of reed people before it leaves which was 2 hrs. I am used to long waits now and have become a massive reader since travelling. If you have a book it’s a great way to pass time.
I by-passed Lima (after trying so hard to get there) and went to Arequipa. It is a great bus ride and I spent most of the time looking out the window. Try to do some of the ride in the day if possible well worth it. Arequipa is set in between a large number of mountains of varying heights a number of which can be climbed. I enquired but as I had not spent time acclimatising I could not go. So go to altitude first then hit Arequipa.
I then went to Puno and saw the world's highest navigable lake (Lake Titicaca). The lake has a number of inhabitants who live on floating islands which are made of reed and reed is impressive and surprisingly sturdy. The lake itself is beautiful and the weather was perfect so just sat on top of the boat enjoying the weather.
We then arrived on an island in the lake and hiked over it. Although not
a lot of work the altitude knocked everyone for 6 so I was really glad I didn’t do the mountain hike.
Then the journey back was Masa Menos (more or less) the same so most people slept. If you can get a faster boat do so unless you like a relaxing ride then don’t worry.
Off to Cuzco and Machu Pichu. Cuzco is full of tourist of all sorts with the same idea; they are here for Machu Pichu. There are so many trails that have now sprung up with varying costs. I backed a 4 day Inca Jungle trail for 150 dollars. This included 1 day bike 2 day hike and 1 day Machu Pichu as well as all food and admission, also transfer back to Cuzco. Machu Pichu is one of those places that you really need to take the whole day looking around there are a number of mountains either side which can be climbed and give you great views of the area and a different perspective on Machu Pichu. The Inca trail has restrictions on how many people can go on it so you must book in advance. It is virtually impossible to get
the Inca trail on a cancellation. The other trails are just as good, because so many tourists are about Cuzco has loads of other activities as well Rafting on the Ulanbambar river is a must see, there are 4 day and 1 day trips. The 4 day has some higher level rivers and after I did the 1 day I wish I had had the time to do the 4 day, oh well.
Lima was my last stop before flying out to BA and onto Brazil. Lima is a massive city and if you speak Spanish there is a lot to see and do in the surrounding areas as well as the city if not well have fun where you can. The police presence around the main squares was surprising I really thought they were expecting a riot but it couldn’t be further from the truth. The city is relaxed and calm with some lovely places to sit and watch the world go by.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.076s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 6; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0463s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb