(NOTE: This articles is longer than our usual, but the impressive Inca history and culture merit the length...and more.) In 1532, the Spaniards arrived in Peru with hundreds of soldiers. They soon destroyed a sophisticated…
At the northern end of Isla del Sol, an island in the middle of Lake Titicaca, are the remains of one of the most sacred sites for the Quechua people, popularly known as the Incas.…
We were reminded of Sedona, and the multi-colored sandstone formations of southwestern US parks. But, like most other delightful natural sites in the world, the Valley of the Spirits offers its own special attraction. Located…
There are a variety of ways of orienting yourself in a new, major city. We’ve found that free city tours, now proliferating around the globe for out-of-towners, can be the best way. You can do…
Over nine days, in the south of Peru, we did a lot of trekking - Rainbow Mountain (1100 meter climb), the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (about 65 kilometers, and a top height of 4630…
The World Heritage designated Nazca Lines in the south of Peru are a complex network of lines and geometric figures drawn in the desert sand by Nazca tribe members around 2000 years ago. Spreading across…
During our first few weeks in Peru, we had opportunities to enjoy such delights as pisco sours, fresh juices and the much lauded Peruvian gastronomy. Yet these have taken a back seat to the opportunity…
Barren landscape to thick brush and scrub. Hardened rivers of lava to black beaches. Rookeries and islets a few meters across to 100 kilometer long islands. Unique, plentiful and varying species of animals. We suspect…
Across Ecuador, a visitor can wander and explore a remarkable, ever-changing terrain. It was crafted over the eons by volcanic action, the continuing movement of the Andean tectonic plates as well as the remaining 90…
In the Amazon jungle of Ecuador, far from the border town of Coca and hours down the Napo River, we did several safari walks. We were based at a lodge (La Selva Ecolodge) on a…