Between rioting and strikes our trip to Puno to explore Lake Titicaca is a hit or miss affair. Some Governments around the world were advising against any travel to Puno and the surrounding areas. We feel lucky to that we arrive as the situation stabilises and are able to access this unique region.
Responsible travel is all about helping to share some of the benefits of tourism with local people without causing negative effects on either the environment or their culture. I’m in favour of this and hence this post all about it. It’s vital so that local communities can share the creation of positive employment, better, Read More
It was a very special encounter dating back to a decision I made in 2002. It touched me more than all of Ecuador’s beauty and diversity. My decision changed a life for a cute, shy little girl in Quito, then aged 6.
Your Porters – Your Friends on the Inca Trail We were keen to support a local Peruvian company that took great care of it’s porters. For us the satisfaction of having completed the trek and arriving at the spectacular Inca ruins of Machu Picchu was hard to beat. However one of the things we, Read More
Our Cusco history lessons end with the Colourful Festival of the Sun Inti Raymi. This festival or pageant originates from the Incas who worshipped the sun. We have timed our trip so that we are here during the Winter Solstice. This means that we get to witness the wonderful celebrations of Corpus Christ and Int, Read More
Picture this, we have just hiked the arduous 4 days in the Inca Trail and now we get to lax out on a 10 hour luxury ride to Puno, aboard the Andean Explorer. Is there such a thing as luxury train travel Peru? Sure is, our route to Puno and Lake Titicaca is riding, Read More
Long before the Spanish discovered South America, the native populations knew how to cultivate an incredible array of plants. They developed elaborate irrigation systems, and terraced the steep Andean mountain slopes to make them more suitable for growing food.They acclimatised their seed to grow at high altitude and grew corn, lima beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chilli, Read More
The Galapagos Islands – how exciting… whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a first timer, it’s always helpful to have a guide of what items you may want to pack and not pack. I’m always a big packer and I really had to restrain myself for this trip. One exception – you are allowed, Read More
Never for one minute, back in 2002 when I joined Tear Fund in sponsorship, did I think that I would meet our sponsored child. It was a ‘Small investment for Life’– our sponsored child’s life; and also their families life as well. What a treat this visit has been for us. Unfortunately I am unable, Read More
Ok, so for our hike of the Inca trail, we hire the red army and no, this is not a Japanese army. This is Llama Path – a guide company, and the most amazing team of men I have ever seen. Our Inca trail group is made up of five hikers, a guide and, Read More
Choosing to hike the Inca Trail in Peru is not a decision that should be made without foresight and thinking ahead. It is up to you to ensure that you are fully prepared for what the hike will involve and know what items you need to bring. Here is some advice from those of, Read More
After an exhausting five days spent on my computer researching the places and destinations that we wanted to travel to and see in South America, I was struggling to put an itinerary together from so many different suppliers and travel companies. Given that we had only a short month in South America to tour, Read More