Puno on Lake Titicaca
Perched at 12,556 feet above sea level, on the shores of a mammoth lake at the southern tip of Peru, the city of Puno has a distinct feel all its own — and the residents aren’t afraid to flaunt it.
Peru
Lake Titicaca’s Isla Taquile (Taquile Island)
After spending a memorable night on Amantani Island with a local family, we caught a mid-morning ferry to nearby Taquile Island — home to some of the most famous handwoven textiles in the world.
Lake Titicaca’s Isla Amantani (Amantani Island)
Covered in agricultural terraces and dominated by two ancient-temple-topped peaks, the remote island of Amantani is unlike any other island we’ve visited.
Uros Floating Islands Of Lake Titicaca
And now for something a bit different. At 12,500 feet above sea level (3,800m), Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It’s also home to the Uru-Aymara who live across 44 self-constructed floating islands of reed!
Inca Trail Trek, Day 4: Machu Picchu
We awoke at 3:30am on our final day to hike up to Machupicchu, the icing on our trekking cake. We lined up at a control gate along with over a hundred other hikers (we were close to the front) and at 5:30 the control gate opened and let us through.
Inca Trail Trek, Day 3
In Peru, continuing our journey along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This posting covers the third of a four day trek.
Inca Trail Trek, Day 2
Day two was the most difficult by far–16km (10 miles) over two 13,000-foot+ passes with a gross elevation gain of 4,373ft. and gross elevation loss of 3,402ft., totaling 11 of the most grueling and rewarding hours of our lives.
Inca Trail Trek, Day 1
Instead of taking the traditional tourist route to Machupicchu, we followed the 500-hundred-year-old segment of the Inca trail (Camino Inka) from kilometer 82 to Machupichu, commonly known as the “Inca Trail.”
Cuzco: Capital Of The Inca Empire
Today we check out the sights and sounds of Cuzco! Our 3-night, 4-day Inca Trail trek begins on Friday!
Arequipa to Cuzco by Bus
Another early morning bus ride Peru that ended up being a 10.5-hour adventure.
Trekking Colca Canyon, Day 2
We climb our way out of one of the deepest canyons in the world at high altitude and under a blazing sun…needless to say, it wasn’t easy.
Trekking Colca Canyon, Day 1
Part one of hiking in (and out of) the world’s second deepest gash, Colca Canyon.
The White City of Arequipa
We discover the “White City” of Arequipa and its colonial, indigenous and quintessential Peruvian charm.
Arrival in Lima
We begin our month in Peru where many travelers do–in Lima. We spend our first full day in Peru exploring the areas of Lima around the Miraflores neighborhood before taking a 16-hour overnight bus over the Andes to Arequipa.
