Globaltickit.com
Real Life Adventures
A Visual World Article
by Alex Hannah
Peru – Land of the Incas
 
Machu Picchu has to be the highlight for anyone planning a trip to South America.
The huge Inca ruins are perched high on a mountain and reached at dawn at the end of an exhausting 3 day hike along the ancient Inca trail through the Andes.

Machu Picchu would not be as stunning if we hadn’t had the chance to work our way up and over mountains, through Dead Woman’s pass and past countless ruins that mark the trail.

 

Each of these ruins by itself would make the trail worthwhile, but together with the spectacular scenery makes an unforgettable experience.

The starting point for the Inca Trail, Cusco, capital of the Incas, has its own treasures.

Sacsayhuaman (photo) is immediately impressive standing on top of the hill overlooking the ancient square in Cusco (above.)

 

Although many of the huge blocks of stone were requisitioned by the Spanish for their homes in Cusco, enough of the jagged “teeth” (Sacsayhuaman was built to resemble the head of a panther) remain to give an idea of the scale of the original.

The Colca Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world and home to the condors.

 

These huge birds soar above you on thermals, sometimes passing within feet of you.
Lake Titicaca is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world and home to a tribe of Indians who fled from the Incas.
They built floating islands on the lake using the lake’s reeds, and in fact they use the reed for almost everything they do (houses, boats, food, etc).
All and all a spectacular trip, well worth a visit.
Jump to other places Alex and Lesley have visited:
Peru - Chile - Bolivia - Argentina - New Zealand
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