Blogs from Peru, South America - page 1212

1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ I decided to head off to Arequipa by plane, and give Lake Titacaca a miss, with a 7am, half hour flight. The view from the window was not amazing as they were dirty and the sun was shining on my side. Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city with 1 million people. It is set amongst the desert with the volcano El Misti (5822m) forming a close backdrop with other peaks. Arequipa is at 2,325m. The city has a nice Plaza de Aramas but it did not have the same feel as Cusco as it is busier. I spent a bit of time getting quotes on Colca Canyon tours and wandering around the Monastery of Santa Catalina. What a fascinating place. It’s worth coming to Arequipa just to see it. It has an ... read more

…….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ “This is deservedly the most famous footpath in Sth America. It has everything: gorgeous mountain scenery, cloud forest and lush sub-tropical vegetation with numerous species of flowers, a stunning destination. There are Inca paving stones, Inca stairways, an Inca tunnel, and of course five sets of ruins, including Machu Picchu itself.” (Bradt) During the busy dry season months of June to September, up to a thousand people a day come to visit the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Machu Pichu remains a mysterious site, never revealed to the conquering Spaniards and virtually forgotten until 1911 when Bingham, an American historian, found it in his search for the lost city of Vilcabamba, the last strong hold of the Incas. The site when it was found was very much overgrown. It appears that M.P. ... read more

1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU.........It was absolutely freezing last night. Trying to read my thermometer was difficult but I think it was -10 degrees at least. When I got up at 6.30am, Martin was tucked in amongst his rocks and all you could see was his nose and eyes. He still had colour in his face, which was a relief. Puddles of water were frozen over and everything was white with frost. We must have been fairly high already (& that’s why it was so cold ) as trekking up the Campa Pass at 5000m did not seem as high a climb as yesterday...demanding never the less with taking one small step with every breath. Even when one is standing around or lying in bed sometimes you feel out of breath. We got to the top ... read more

1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU..................“This 5-6 day hike has everything: herds of llamas and alpacas, traditionally dressed Indians, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, ice caves, and even vicunas. Not surprisingly it is popular with trekkers. The route takes you right round the massif of Ausangate and over three high passes before returning you to your starting point, the small village of Tinqui.” Bradt Ausangate is South East of Cusco. The mountain, which is revered by the Incas, is actually a collection of high mountains with Ausangate the highest at 6372m. The whole area lies above the tree line. .................................................... Distance about 80km Altitude 3,800m to 5,100m Rating Difficult Timing 5 days ................................................... I met down at the Top Vacations Trekking office at 8.30am. No one ... read more