Peru

Peru

Our trip started off in the capital Lima. We spent a full day there, with a brief city tour. Saw the catacombs under a cathedral, where its reported 10,000 bodies have been buried. It's a truly eerie passage, where human remains (femur bones and skulls) still lay. Catholic bodies are buried in 4 meter deep holes, one on top of the other. There's a 10m deep pit full of bodies as well.

Cerbiche is Peru's claim to fame - and I have admit that I would agree after sampling a number of types.

We next flew off to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca empire. This would be the start point of our trek through parts of the Andes with our GAP guide and horse mens. Before starting the actual trek, we travel from Cusco to the trailhead - close to a town call Calca. In Calca we stopped at a local farmer's market to pick up additional supplies, including little gifts and trinkets for the children on the hike. The Lares Trek takes you on an alternative trail, not as well known or travelled as the Inca Trail. This was absolutely fine by us, as we found ourselves alone with one other couple, our GAP guide, the GAP cook, and 4 other local horse mens and the curious children. The Lares Trek, unlike the Inca Trail takes the explorer through highland villages, giving us a little glimpse into the culture and lives of the highlanders, called the Quechua People. The Lares trail winds itself up and down mountain slopes and passes, into valleys brimming with mountain streams and waterfalls.

At the end of the Lares Trek, we catch a train from a town called Ollantaytambo to Agua Calientes. Aqua Calientes is a small village at the based of Machu Picchu. We spent the night here before hitting Machu Picchu the morning after.

After Machu Picchu, we board a plane and fly to Puerto Maldonado, the port town into the Peruvian Amazon Jungle. Motorized long boats would take us up the Tambopata river to the 3 eco-lodges where we would spend the remaining week. The lodges are nature lodges run by Rainforest Expeditions.

Wildlife was plentiful, and the Macaw's clay lick did not disappoint. The highlight in the jungle was definitely spotting and capturing an image of the elusive Jaguar.