There really is no other city quite like Cusco. Located up within the remote Peruvian Andes, this bustling city is well-known for its cultural markets, stunning colonial architecture as well as an abundance of ancient Inca ruins. However Cusco is also the gateway to many unforgettable landscapes and hiking circuits, and if planning on visiting then it’s worth tackling at least one of these incredible routes. In this guide we’ll explore the … [Read more...]
Discovering The Best Place To Stay In Ecuador
Hostels conjure a lot of negative images—from shit horror movies, to loud snoring, to lack of privacy. I’ve experienced the downsides of them. But when you stay at a good one... man is it good. The Best Hostel I’ve Ever Stayed At Without further ado... The Secret Garden Cotopaxi in Ecuador. Let me start with the value of the place. My 3-day, 2-night package included: Transport from Quito (Cotopaxi is a couple of hours away). … [Read more...]
My Rural Peruvian Experience
Preface: My Peruvian experience was truly unparalleled; what I encountered there cannot be captured on platforms like YouTube or Google. When most people envision a trip to Peru, they visualize images of sun-drenched beaches or the enchanting peaks of the Andes. But how often do we pause to consider the richness lying beyond the usual tourist hotspots? Rarely, if ever. This article details the hidden gems and intricate tapestry of culture I … [Read more...]
Solo Trekking the Inca Trail: A Journey to Machu Picchu
Solo trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a journey that every adventurous soul should experience at least once. This ancient path, carved through the Peruvian Andes, offers not just a physical challenge but also a deeply spiritual experience. The anticipation of seeing Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, kept my spirits high as I prepared for this epic Peruvian adventure. Preparing for the Trek Before … [Read more...]
Jaguar Wishes and Capybara Dreams: Exploring South America’s Untamed Wetlands
Picture a world where vibrant macaws flaunt their sapphire feathers just beyond your window, where rough and tough cowboys navigate waist-deep waters teeming with caimans on horseback, and where the landscape surrenders to the ebb and flow of seasonal floods, submerging vast expanses for half the year. Welcome to the Pantanal, the beating heart of South America, nestled within the borders of Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil's Amazon … [Read more...]
Heli-Skiing at Valle Nevado in Chile
Heli-Skiing: An Incredible Way to Experience the Andres Mountains "Never Summer" is a motto for some of us winter sports enthusiasts, and if you're like one of us, heading to South America in the summer is the perfect way to scratch your "winter sport" itch. Ski Trip in Chile I planned a ski trip to Chile in August 2022, which was incredible. The highlight of the trip was, of course, heli-skiing. Although we tried to heli-ski at Ski … [Read more...]
Hands-on Ecuadorian Artisans Are Hands-Down Amazing
Photo by Alice Bourget When I was around 10, I tagged along to my brother’s Boy Scout meeting, where one activity was making art projects. Given instruction, I sprayed a clothespin with glittery red paint and spelled my name out on the top bar with glued alphabet macaroni. That might be my highest artistic achievement, so perhaps I don’t have a credible basis to judge the quality of the crafts I’ve seen in Ecuador over the past month. But … [Read more...]
Brazilian Cachaça trip Day 11: Curitiba and Brasilia
When visiting Curitiba, any individual or group that has an interest in cachaça must visit Orlando Regis. It just so happened that while I was in Morretes, Bruna Gomes of Porto Morretes had suggested that I go visit Orlando, since I had time on my last day before my trip back to Brasilia. Thanks to her, I was able to set up some time with him. Orlando Regis and his wife have one of the largest collections of cachaça in the country. At over … [Read more...]
Cachaça trip Day 10: Morretes
I repeated my morning walk around town, came back and ate breakfast, and headed out to Porto Morretes, traversing the same dangerous road that I had the previous day. This time, however, I had an appointment. When I got to the gates and pressed the buzzer, I was let in to the very private facility. The winding dirt driveway led to a modern, large facility, where workers scurried about from place to place. I was met at the main office by Bruna … [Read more...]
Cachaça trip Day 9: Morretes
Morning in Morretes. I left the pousada because I woke early. Breakfast wouldn’t be served until eight. Clouds covered the not-so-distant-mountains, but the city was sunny. I walked along the quiet main road. People passed me on their way to work. Schoolchildren carried backpacks, walking in groups, excited for the school day. I crossed over the river on a slight bridge that carried the occasional car. Descending the opposite bank, I walked … [Read more...]
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