South America with Sandra

A 31-day adventure by Christine Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

Trip start
January 21, 2025
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Monday, January 20, 2025 at 8:10 PM
🌙 21 °C
Altitude: 105 m
Australia Belli Park -26.525053, 152.83355326°31’30” S 152°50’1” E
Final tasks finished. Time to go to bed
January 20 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C
1 like
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 1
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Brisbane Airport -27.38302, 153.12327°22’59” S 153°7’23” E
On the plane to Melbourne
January 21 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Sitting in the back of the plane like proper tourists.
TravelerHave the best time! 💕
1/21/25Reply
And off you go go [Rosemary]
1/21/25Reply
1 like
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 1
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 474 m
Chile Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport -33.402863, -70.78963333°24’10” S 70°47’23” W
Stuck in Chile
January 21 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Flight delayed 2hrs. Still have another 4 hr flight to Lima. At least Sandra is still smiling.
Rosemary-We were in same airport about 6 hour. Grr ( [Rosemary]
1/21/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 1
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 69 m
Peru Playa Barranco -12.142981, -77.02378912°8’35” S 77°1’26” W
Arrived in Lima
January 21 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Settling in with our welcome drink.
Enjoy Christine and Sandra ❤ [Val]
1/22/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 2
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM
☁️ 24 °C
Altitude: 73 m
Peru Playa Barranco -12.142824, -77.02386312°8’34” S 77°1’26” W
After breakfast walk in Lima
January 22 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
We are staying in a suburb called Bran
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 2
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 11:39 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 148 m
Peru Plaza San Martin -12.051197, -77.03427212°3’4” S 77°2’3” W
Day in Lima
January 22 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
A culinary adventure and some history.

We decided to start the morning exploring around our hotel and loved seeing the old summer houses of the rich! The hotel we are staying in, Casa Republica, is an old summer house too.

We had a tour booked for four hours today from 11am to 3pm. Picked up at our hotel where our first stop was the San Martin square which is significant to the locals who were liberated from the Spanish in 1720! Think about it…when was Australia discovered by Capt Cook?

We walked the streets around San Martin and gawked at the beautiful architecture. I’m reminded of cities like Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh.

Our guide, Valeria, a hot chilli pepper of energy. Studied at Uni to be a tour guide and learnt English from watching movies with sub titles. 🤗. She made our trip very personal and fed us so much local history. A very proud Peruvian. ❤️

After our tour, with our full bellies, we went to the Lima Pyramids. https://www.peruforless.com/blog/huaca-pucllana

What an amazing find!! Thoughts of Alex enjoying this site so much. In fact he would love all the places we are going to.

Ended the day watching the sunset at the cliffs, hoping to see the green flash of light. Nah! Didn’t happen for us.

My feet are killing me, but my heart is full of joy from having such a wonderful first day in South America. Told Sandra that I could quite easily have lived in Lima. She says she’d rather live on the farm. ❤️. Sandra does say that I have to change the name of the farm to Huaca Pucllana, it means Happy Place.Read more
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 3
Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 3,018 m
Peru Mery -13.287556, -72.17999513°17’15” S 72°10’48” W
Another travel day.
January 23 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
I always believe that the journey is often more spectacular than the destination sometimes. This was one of those trips. We left Lima quite early and hopped on a flight to Cusco. We were met by our guide Saulo and give park passes and instructions for the next 4 days. Our wonderful driver Wilbur then drove us to our next destination, Urumbamba. (Don’t trust my spelling). A rest for the rest of the day for me. Sandra has gone for a walk.

The car ride down, in a most luxurious car, was spectacular. Gawking at the locals as we went past and spectacular scenery where we were lucky enough to stop and take photographs. Tomorrow is a tour with a small group so expect more photos of Inca ruins and lots of scenery.Read more
TravelerAll good so far so it seems
1/24/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 3
Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 2,930 m
Peru Quebrada Mantacnayniyoc -13.272375, -72.18724713°16’21” S 72°11’14” W
Food!!
January 23 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Had an amazing lunch at our hotel. Trout that I suspect is caught in the river just outside our hotel.

I am loving eating the local corn. I wish we could grow some of these varieties back home.

We are spoilt on good quality beef back home. This dish, allegedly a national one, was not great. Paul would have loved it. It’s called Salt Beef.Read more
1 like
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 4
Friday, January 24, 2025 at 9:43 AM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 3,404 m
Peru Pisac -13.406387, -71.84139213°24’23” S 71°50’29” W
Trekking the sacred valley
January 24 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Lots of high altitude walking. We went to two Inca ruins today and a walk through a local market. Had a very yummy lunch with lots of local food. Trout ceviche is such a delicious dish.

The trek through the first ruins at Pisac was very nice but not as awesome as the Ollyantotambo ruins. Challenging for me to walk up as my lungs burnt and heart rate reached 156bpm. Thankfully we had a lovely guide who made many stops along the way to give us a talk on the history of the ruins. Blessed to have Sandra also look after me.

Hope you like the pictures from today.Read more
TravelerVery interesting ruins and scenery but looks like hard work. Take care in altitude darling
1/25/25Reply
TravelerWas pooped last night. Fell asleep at 7:30. Altitude not so bad. Legs doing very well. I just get a little breathless so slow down my walking.
1/25/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 5
Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 7:18 AM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 2,807 m
Peru Ollantaytambo -13.262825, -72.2709513°15’46” S 72°16’15” W
Machu Picchu
January 25 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
One of the wonders of the world and boy did it live up to its name.

We were picked up at 6:20 am to catch the Inca train to Agua Clientas. (don’t rely on my spelling). A town built on the river. No cars or motorcycles allowed.

The train itself was an experience, driving through the mountains, Inca music and a little enactment of an ancient story. Sandra was moved to tears.

Left out overnight bags at Agua Clientas and were put on a bus with our guide. No other transport is allowed to the site and we were given our ‘allocated’ time slot as they control how many people are at the site.

To say we had the best experience is an understatement. Being there is so much better than seeing Machu Picchu on TV or in books. Every step was worth it. Hope you enjoy our pictures. Spread across a few footprints.Read more
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 5
Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 12:04 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 2,445 m
Peru Montaña Machu Picchu -13.165472, -72.54338813°9’56” S 72°32’36” W
1
Machu Pichu 3
January 25 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Machu Picchu itself. I
Traveler Can you spot the people climbing up this hill? It’s higher than Machu Picchu.
1/26/25Reply
No words - every archaeologist dream !!! Soak it up for me !!! [Gete]
1/30/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 5
Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 2,084 m
Peru Machu Picchu -13.154434, -72.52445313°9’16” S 72°31’28” W
Machu Picchu 2
January 25 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Agua Clientas
TravelerWow some mighty interesting stuff there. Love pregnant lady. And has Tomsam followed you there??????
1/26/25Reply
TravelerSo many Tomsam looking dogs. His genes are definitely here. Many look like dirty mops.
1/26/25Reply
TravelerDo you think this work is very old or new to make look historic??
1/26/25Reply
TravelerThis art is new. As are many of the statues around the plaza. They are set up for photo opportunities.
1/26/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 6
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 11:39 AM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 3,016 m
Peru Quebrada Huayllaoro -13.303313, -72.15465613°18’12” S 72°9’17” W
1 1 1 1
Travel back to Cusco
January 26 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Caught the train back to Ollaytantambo and met our guide for today. Hamilton! Such a Peruvian name, hey?

We then got whisked off to Mara’s. A unique salt field where salt water trickles from underground and is collected in shallow troughs. The salt then crystalises and is scooped out to dry, iodine added and then bagged for sale. This has been a salt pan since the Incas.

Next off to Moray, a suspected Inca laboratory of agriculture. They apprently experimented with growing vegetables in the circular terraces and then sent instructions on how to grown said vegetables to all the other kingdoms. Spectacular engineering and innovation.

Last stop, a traditional Peruvian village called Chinchero where the local ladies showed us how wool is made and turned into textiles. We were shown all the natural colours. Then of course taken around to buy something local to support these delightful and very colourful women. I’m sure I’ve been ripped off so this is a BIG donation to the locals.

We are now in Cusco. Up in the mountains still. An ancient city with many old and new buildings. We are staying in yet another beautiful hotel. We went for a little walk. Ate dinner at a local restaurant for a tenth of the price and delicious food. I had a Peruvian-Chinese fried rice. Yum. 🤤

Came back to the hotel because I was frozen. Best place to be was at the bar with a Pisco Sour. I think I’ve had the best one yet! Tomorrow the bartender is making us a cocktail with…wait for it…Flora de Jamaica aka Rosellas!!! Bring on tomorrow.Read more
Suits you 👍 [Gete]
1/30/25Reply
Traveler Salt farm
2/25/25Reply
Traveler Salt water comes out of this hole.
2/25/25Reply
Traveler Guinea pig hotel
2/25/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 6
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 11:51 AM
☁️ 18 °C
Altitude: 3,001 m
Peru Quebrada Huayllaoro -13.3029, -72.15505213°18’10” S 72°9’18” W
Some more phots from our trip back to cu
January 26 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
We took so many pictures I had to share more.
Loving the pictures !!!!! [Gete]
1/30/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 6
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 3,735 m
Peru Chinchero -13.395555, -72.0498513°23’44” S 72°2’59” W
2 1
And some more from Cusco
January 26 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Traveler Justyne. How cute is this jacket?
1/26/25Reply
Traveler Came back to our room to find the staff doing a turn down service. They left us a hot water bottle in our beds. I’m not coming home. 😂
1/26/25Reply
Traveler Omg I love it..
1/28/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 7
Monday, January 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 3,400 m
Peru Qurikancha -13.51867, -71.97568713°31’7” S 71°58’32” W
Touring through Cusco City
January 27 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Things are starting to get blurry in terms of what I saw first today and what I finished with. We started with a lovely walk through the town with our guide, Hamilton.

We went in to the Santa Domingo church and then up to the Sacsayhuman ruins to view the ancient capital which the Incas built in the shape of a puma. Again, amazing architecture considering the sizes of the stones. I happened to pull up a picture of the Hampi granite walls and it so freak how similar the construction was.

Coming back down into the city we went for a walk through the local market which more touristy than anything. Managed to buy myself an apron for the markets with a money zip built into it.

Off then to another cathedral which really was amazing. Not many photos today because we weren’t allowed inside the church.

We are off soon to a dance show so hopefully have more photos to share tonight.Read more
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 7
Monday, January 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 3,378 m
Peru Cusco -13.52217, -71.97537213°31’20” S 71°58’31” W
A night in Cusco
January 27 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
We had a very cultural evening at the local arts centre. Loved th colours, music and dance.
TravelerLooks like so much fun x
1/30/25Reply
1 like
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 8
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 3,423 m
Peru Plaza de Armas Cusco -13.5165, -71.97822513°30’59” S 71°58’42” W
Free day in Cusco
January 28 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Leisurely wake up this morning and a BIG breakfast. Then off to the Inka museum which was very educational.

Highlight of the day was the Chocolate making class and to learn the history of chocolate. Did you know they make chocolate here from Guinea Pig milk? What a scream!!!

Went back to the markets to buy some souvenirs and ate a BIG bowl of chicken soup. The piece of chicken I had was so big I could eat it with just a spoon. Enjoyed the potato and tapioca though and lots of pasta in it. Delicious soup.

Sandra peeled off to go do a Peruvian cooking class and I did some more shopping on the way back to the hotel. My feet are hurting too much to cope with a full days of walking. Treated myself to a lovely cocktail made with Rosella cordial. Yummy!!!

I’m all packed now, waiting for Sandra to come home safely.

We are off to Argentina tomorrow!! Not many days till we get on the boat to Antarctica. So excited.Read more
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 8
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 3,414 m
Peru Cusco -13.521187, -71.98246713°31’16” S 71°58’57” W
Cant forget my bowl of soup.
January 28 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 9
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 470 m
Chile Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport -33.401672, -70.79351233°24’6” S 70°47’37” W
Missed a day - travel to Argentina
January 29 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Up before dawn and out to fly through Santiago and then on to Buenos Airies. So not many photos. Hope to have more today. It’s going to be a BIG day.
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 10
Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 11:08 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 35 m
Argentina University of Buenos Aires -34.598645, -58.37393734°35’55” S 58°22’26” W
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
A beautiful day in Buenos Aries
January 30 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Late morning wake up just past 7am for a change. Off on a HoHo bus for three hours around the city. Absolutely loved it!!! I even fell asleep for a little bit.

Came back to our hotel for a little nap and then off again on a tour with our guide Diego. Thank goodness we had our bus tour first because everything made so much more sense when Diego explained it.

Visited Eva Peron’s grave and saw amazing graves and memorials which is right next to our hotel. My chest got really tight around one of the President’s graves and was glad to move on with the tour. Lots of history there.

Tonight is a Parilla dinner so will upload another footprint after.Read more
TravelerBrings back some memories although we took a lot of photos in la boca and less in cemetery
1/30/25Reply
Traveler In the Buenos Aires cathedral. At the Mausoleum of San Martin.
1/30/25Reply
Traveler The guards change every two hours. The replacements leave from the president’s palace and march over to the cathedral.
1/30/25Reply
8 more comments
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 10
Thursday, January 30, 2025
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 228 m
Argentina Puerto Iguazú -25.611263, -54.55225825°36’41” S 54°33’8” W
Dinner in Buenos Aries
January 30 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We had a Parilla degustation dinner. It was utterly delicious but am now paying the price for too much protein.

We met some lovely people at the dinner and got to know a local couple. Paula and Louis.

Hanna Rosa was in Argentina studying Spanish. She was from Germany.Read more
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 11
Friday, January 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Río de la Plata -34.336369, -58.3967734°20’11” S 58°23’48” W
Another travel day to Iguazu Falls
January 31, Río de la Plata ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Getting a little tired of airports and security. 8 more flights to catch before we land in Brisbane. The funniest is how many times we have passed through Santiago airport and not seen any of Chile.

Staying at the Mecure hotel which is in the middle of the jungle.Read more
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 12
Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 8:39 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 177 m
Argentina Iguaçu Falls -25.684028, -54.44663325°41’3” S 54°26’48” W
The amazing falls.
February 1 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
It’s quite humid in Iguazu. It’s so nice that we had lovely shady pathways. I’ve taken so many photographs that it’s going to bore the hell out of you.
TravelerArnt they something special??
2/1/25Reply
0 likes
South America with Sandra Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 12
Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:42 AM
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 145 m
Argentina Iguaçu Falls -25.68455, -54.44246325°41’4” S 54°26’33” W
Some more Iguazu pics
February 1 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
So many amazing photo opportunities
TravelerIt’s the roar of the falls which adds to the drama but that’s not coming through on my photos from you. Great shots though
2/2/25Reply
TravelerInternet connection really bad here. Can’t upload videos. I have stunning waterfall videos. I have 4 mins of footage from the Helicopter
2/5/25Reply
1 like