Real Life Adventures
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.