Archeology and Amazon Adventure in Peru
In August 2005 we spent three weeks exploring Peru, visiting the Amazon Basin, hiking in Colca Canyon and gazing on the lost city of Machu Picchu.
Peru: Lima
Lima was our first stop on our three week journey to Peru. We spent time there both at the beginning and the end of our trip. Much of our time was spent walking around the large city and seeing the numerous plazas and cathedrals.
Peru: Cuzco and the Sacred Valley
We flew to Cuzco from Lima and spent a day there touring the Sacred Valley before going to the Amazon Basin. After that trip, we returned to Cuzco to use it as a base for our trip to Machu Picchu. On both occaisions we enjoyed the beautiful and historic city.
Peru: The Amazon Basin Jungle
One of the highlights of the entire trip was the visit to the Amazon Basin, which was a short flight from Cuzco to the gateway city of Puerto Maldonado. Once there, we boarded a boat for a journey up an Amazon tributary for a total of eight hours to a research center.
Peru: Machu Picchu
Our time in Machu Picchu consisted of a day trip from Cuzco. After the early morning four hour train trip, we spent several hours at the site, viewng it from above, as well as walking through the various structures of the lost city.
Peru: Lake Titicaca
Two days were spent in the Lake Titicaca region, including a home stay with indigenous Aymaran families on one of the islands. Getting to the lake was half the fun, via a 10 hour train trip over a 14,200 foot pass and through the beautiful stark altiplano landscape.
Peru: Canyon del Colca Trek
We took a multi-day trek into Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world. We visited several villages and viewed condors from a canyon lookout.
Peru: Arequipa
Arequipa, known as the “white city” was the last stop on our three week trip through Peru.