South America

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Trip start
August 19, 2023
South America Traveler
Deja vu
August 19, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
So this seems to be a recurrent theme... tried to get out of US and it just wants me to stay! Flight to Lima cancelled so an impromptu adventure around LA...
Made a friend at breakfast, Adam who I hung out with for the afternoon at Venice (was also on the cancelled flight)... saw the canals and beach... and also met a lady from Cuzco who owns a cat cafe there that I shall visit! 😀
All in all a good day if unexpected!
Wish me luck for take 2 flight!!!Read more
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Sand dunes and sunsets
August 21, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Met the people I will be now travelling with for the next 30ish days... long day on a coach but went to the desert, and did buggy riding and sandboarding... Needless to say sand got EVERYWHERE!!!
Traveler Love it😍
8/22/23Reply
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Ballestas Islands and Pisco
August 22, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Went with a few of the group to the Ballestas Islands this morning (as one of them described it, the poor man's galapagos 😅) and saw a lot of pelicans, boobies, penguins, dolphins, sea lions and amazing scenery...
I was wildly unprepared, thinking the overcast sky would turn brighter after an hours drive to the boat but it just turned very wet and cold... chose possibly the worst seat on the boat which was the target for sea spray, but it was hilarious... luckily Margaret had a poncho I was trying to sneak under... it worked for half of me!
Rejoined the rest of group and headed to a pisco winerynfor a tour and tasting 🙂 before moving on to see Nazcar lines... so strange to think how long they had been there for!Read more
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South America Traveler
Nazca
August 23, 2023 in Peru ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
Spooky morning in Nazca visiting Chauchilla Cemetary where learnt about a lot of the old civilisations of Peru... there are so many, not just Incas... and saw lots of mummies.
In the afternoon we chilled out and went for a swim and a traditional Peruvian dish... not sure what it is called but it was cooked in the ground and very tasty!
On the night bus in the evening for moving accommodation down to Arequipa... (Harvey and I had a shared enthusiasm for the night bus... not sure the others were as excited!)Read more
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Arequipa
August 24, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Woke up from none existent sleep on the night bus (yer the novelty wore out) in Arequipa which turns out to be a beautiful city and really reminded me of Spain... except the backdrop of glorious mountains/volcanos...
Had a pretty chilled day just wandering around (Harvey had a baby lama basically thrown at him... was hilarious!), went to a market and found a cute little residential area as well... we all met for drinks and sunset watching before dinner in a rooftop terrace with pretty epic views (and well all were given ponchos as it was quite cold... although they were nothing on Soph and Nicky's!)Read more
Traveler 😍
8/25/23Reply
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Altitude acclimatisation
August 25, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
So most the group are battling with altitude at the moment but this tour is organised to give us time before Machu Pichu hike to get ourselves acclimatised... we went to a small town called Chivay and stopped off at various places along the way including lovely little communities for herbal tea and weaving, viewing points of mountain ranges and through a national park where we saw lots of wildlife (and even made friends with some llamas and alpacas!).
When we arrived in Chivay there was a festival happening so obviously saw some of this and went to some local hot springs which was bliss.
In the evening most the group went to dinner where there were some traditional dances shown (including one with whipping! Was the funniest thing when a member of our group was chosen to join in! 🤣)Read more
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South America Traveler
Colca Canyon
August 26, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Early morning trip to Colca Canyon this morning to see condors...
In the top 10 deepest canyons in the world with the deepest point being more than 4000m deep... we were very lucky to see so many and almost instantly...
Very warm walk to the point - hard work with the altitude (which we are all reacting very differently to)
After the canyon we had a long bus ride back to Arequipa where we had our first group night out (although it wasn't a big night out as half the group were feeling rough)... Had three very strong g&ts and when I got back to my room it was the best night's sleep I'd had since arriving in Peru! Woke up refreshed and with no signs of a hangover! Great!!!Read more
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South America Traveler
Arequipa take 2
August 27, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We were left to our own devices today, so we decided to see the mummy Juanita and visit a monestry... I don't have many pictures but learnt so much about the incas in the mummy Juanita tour... so interesting...
The monestry was beautiful and huge... very Spanish feel to it!
Another night bus in the evening to go to Cuzco... this one had a lot more space and comfort... Will see how well we'll sleep! I'm having a sleeping tablet!Read more
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South America Traveler
Rainbow Mountain
August 29, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
Arrived in Cusco after night bus and had a quick tour of the area and got much needed washing done...
Had a pretty chilled day, Chino, our guide, took some of us to watch the local football then we had an early dinner and bed...
3:45am start to head to rainbow mountain where we all managed to hike to the summit... altitude made it very difficult but it was worth it... Good practice for Machu Pichu (which is lower altitude but longer!)Read more
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South America Traveler
Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo
August 30, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Packed up all the gear for the r day Machu Pichu hike and travelled to Ollantaytambo via Sacred Valley.
The incas believed that the river that runs through the valley mirrored the milkyway which is why it was sacred.
Saw a lot of old inca temple ruins and infra (terracing on this hills) which was really cool.
Along the way we visited a women's weaving community and learnt about how they made yarn from the alpacas, llamas etc including the dye and how the project they are a part of helps with eduction and betterment of the community...
I think we all bought something from the work they do.
We also stopped off at a brewery - got to love a bit of day drinking... and yer, tried a local dish - guinea-pig... there is a photo somewhere I'll upload if it isn't too grim!Read more
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South America Traveler
Machu Picchu day 1
August 31, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Day one of Machu Picchu hike... First 11km completed in the super heat...
Got to campsite and had a beer...
Great day, lots of amazing views and good rest spots!
Bring on day 2 - apparently the hardest!Read more
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South America Traveler
Machu Picchu day 2
September 1, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
5:30am start... definately the hardest day - 12km pretty much relentlessly up including dead womans pass... got to the highest point on the trail at 4215 ft... and we all made it to camp in good time...
Was wet but I think I preferred that to the sun and heat...
Blisters definately started appearing today - should have bought some better fitted boots!
Have huge respect to our porters who are doing this carrying up to 26kg of weight 😶Read more
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South America Traveler
Machu Picchu day 3
September 2, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
5am start... The best day! So much variety in the landscape and trail. The weather was also perfect... not too hot or cold and it was dry! Views were stunning and there were several inca ruins for us to explore.
Loved it, even if the legs are tired and feet are blistered... was epic.
Was also our last meal at camp and the fabulous chefs really pulled out all the stops and baked us a cake! Honestly, how these guys work out of a tent is incredible... there's no kitchen, electricity, fridges or anything but they provided us with pretty much the best Peruvian food I've had the whole time... the porters and chefs really are hero's! ❤️Read more
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South America Traveler
Machu Picchu day 4
September 3, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We made it!!!
3am start to get through the check point at 5:30 and give the porters and chefs time to catch the train...
Through the sungate around 7ish and then into Machu Picchu... it was amazing!
Even if it was very wet and cold, it is understandable why it is one of the 7 wonders of the world... just incredible!
What a sense of achievement, loved every second!
... And check out those blisters I kept mentioning!

On another note, went back to Cusco and we all went on a night out... all of us felt so rough the next day... unsure if it was tiredness, altitude or general hangovers but good time was had by all! 🤗Read more
TravelerAmazing - you made it!! Congrats👍
9/5/23Reply
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South America Traveler
Goodbye Cuzco, hello Lake Titicaca
September 6, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
We departed Cuzco to head to Lake Titicaca and Puno... this was time for homestays (staying with a local family and helping out a bit).
We took a boat ride to the area via some floating islands where we saw how people lived on islands made of reeds which was fascinating before heading for lunch and meeting our family...
We arrived and played some football (i am insanely uncoordinated with feet so went in goal hoping to be able to catch anything... i failed a lot!) We all got dressed up in traditional dress and had to dance with our host family before heading to our home for the night... jasmine, Margaret and I had a lovely mama and papa and their son bought his adorable 8 month son to come and say hi... so cute!
Our room was gorgeous and had amazing views over the lake... worth the climb to the top to get there!Read more
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South America Traveler
Homestay and kayaking
September 7, 2023 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Time to get to work!
Woke up fairly early, around 6/6:30 to help mama in the kitchen before breakfast... breakfast was so tasty, fried bread with jam and egg... think I put on weight just from that!
Next task was to take the sheep and the llama down to the field... we were given some cool hats to wear as the sun was very strong! I looked after the llama, he was called Carlos 🤣 he was a greedy Carlos!
Once the animals were secure we had to sort through dehydrated potatoes to get rid of all the soil, leaves and straw... dehydrated potatoes are a key part of the diet in peru as they are abundant and Peruvians do not waste any food!
Our jobs were pretty easy and chill in comparison to some of the gang who had to hand plough fields 😬
I opted to go kayaking in the lake with Isaac, Delin, Essy, Harvey and Zack... was a lot of fun, Isaac and I shared a kayak, he is quite risk averse, so was constant 'Anna, you're going to capsize us!' And when Harvey and Zack suggested a race his reaction was 'Don't encourage her!!!' 😂Read more
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South America Traveler
Hello Bolivia / Death Road Biking
September 9, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Arrived in Bolivia on the 8th and went for a lot of drinks... hilarity ensued, which may not be appropriate for Find Penguins so won't elaborate!
Anyways, woke up on 9th very hungover but ready for Death Road mountain biking... think the hangover was a good thing as I was unaware of the 900m unprotected drop for a lot of the narrow downhill path!
But as the name suggests, it was pretty epic and adrenaline fuelled and a brilliant way to spend the day... and got some great pics!
Was pretty scary on mountainbikes, no idea how the bus drivers weren't kakking themselves!
The 3 hour bus ride back to the hotel was also fuelled by beer and rum&coke karaoke with some bangers being played by the driver...
Other than the creapy guide offering to help all the females with showering (😶) was a brilliant day!
We are survivors!!! 👊👍💪

Super sadly we had to say goodbye to 4 amazing members of our gang: Nikki, Soph, Isaac and Chino... going to miss them all so much but hope this is just 'catch you later' rather than 'goodbye'.
Also welcomed another 9 members to the tour, looking forward to getting to know them better 😀Read more
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South America Traveler
La Paz
September 10, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
I have a roomie! New member of the group, Lisa from Italy 😁
Great day exploring La Paz today... I think it's considered the highest city in the world with over 1 million people... so yer, altitude!
A group of us went on a walking tour where we learnt about the prison - very strange, too much info to put on here but is basically run by the prisoners and like a lil village/community!!! - the politics, the Witch market and sacrifices which still happen today, and the local market place... Great tour guide with loads of good stories and enthusiasm for La Paz..
In the afternoon we took a ride on the cable cars... yup the transport planner came out and started thinking about how and where this could be beneficial at home! Was a great way to see the city from above... super cheap and fun!

Hopped on another overnight bus to Sucre... the capital of Bolivia...Read more
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South America Traveler
Sucre day 1
September 11, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Arrived in Sucre after night bus... night bus was better than expected with fully reclining seats - like 1st class airplane!
Spent the morning orientating ourselves and spent most the afternoon getting to know the new members of the group in the pub... this obvs lasted a while with changing locations and ended up in the karaoke bar... there was a very odd vibe as it was being live streamed... but a few of us either didn't realise this was happening or lost all inhibitions... as the group dispersed, there was only 4 of us left... and lizzie... an unamused guide/baby sitter 😅Read more
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South America Traveler
Sucre day 2
September 12, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Went to the textile museum today which was super interesting... it wasn't just about the textiles, but also about the music and dance and rituals that Bolivians performed... I think my favourite part was where it moved from the female weaving success into men's introduction to textiles saying 'the men were jealous of the success of the female weaving so wanted to start'... their textile was not as intricate or beautiful, in my opinion, as the women's!!!
Went for lunch at a very cute cafe before chilling/recovering in the afternoon.
In the evening went for a gourmet dinner - 8 courses, loved every bite!Read more
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Dino footprints - Sucre
September 13, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Before getting on the bus to Potosi, pretty much the whole group decided to go and see the dinosaur footprints...
Was really interesting from what heard of it, and the guide (who was from Sucre) had a very unusual accent - I thought he was from Boston 😅🤦‍♀️Read more
Traveler 😎
9/25/23Reply
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South America Traveler
Potosi mines and rooftops
September 14, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Arrived in Potosi yesterday and went for dinner...
In the morning we went to the local mines to understand what life is like... I think I prefer the farm work than mine work.
We first had to stop off and grab some supplies for the workers (coca leaves, cigarettes, 96% alcohol and sweets for the kids (not working)) while all kitted up for the days work...
Great morning.
Explored more of Potosi in the afternoon including the rooftops (and we got free cake... we think it was wedding cake!) 👍Read more
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South America Traveler
Train graveyard of Uyuni andSalt Flats!
September 16, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
So apparently there was a period where Chile took away all the rail infrastructure feom Bolivia... which explains why there is pretty much no rail network... but just outside the town of Uyuni there is essentially a train graveyard - great for climbing and just having fun! There was also some random structures made from old remnants of whatever... we liked bumblebee from transformers!

So wasn't really sure what you expect from the salt flats of Bolivia... but bloody loved it!
Very funny having to be blindfolded before 'the big reveal' which I'm sure wasn't great for any of our retinas, but oh well! Such fun playing with perspectives, drinking whiskey in the car and tequila at sunset!
There was also a random land of cactus' and life right in the middle - wtf!
Finished the day staying in a community and stargazing... saw the milkyway again which was cool... stolen some pics though as i am incapable!Read more
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South America Traveler
Potosi mint factory
September 16, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
So think this day was mostly a bus ride, and I can't remember what day we went to the mint factory in Potosi (they used to make around 80% (I think) of the worlds currency).
I also got to make my own coin... out of aluminium (I'm too cheap for silver 😅)Read more
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South America Traveler
Lagoons and flamingos
September 17, 2023 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Continuing the 'road trip' (unsure if there were any official roads!) To get off the salt flats and see some pretty amazing lagoons and flamingos in the desert in Bolivia.
And a dip in some hot springs, why not!
Yer, I'll let the pics speak for themselves!Read more
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