Tag: Peru

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Peru to Bolivia: a border crossing guide

border crossing desaguadero

Everybody that ever went backpacking or just on a holiday to multiple countries for that matter, knows that crossing country-borders is a stress-full, tiresome but also exciting experience. Sometimes it goes super smooth! Sometimes it takes hours, a lot of bribes and probably ten years of your life because of pure stress. All you can really do is prepare, brace for a long day and hope you get there before nightfall. How best to prepare for the border-crossing between Peru and Bolivia? By reading this article of course!

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Paracas & the Islas Ballestas

One step outside the bus and your nostrils will let you know that you have reached the coast. As next to pelicans darting around everywhere, the ocean smell is one of the key characteristics of the little coastal Paracas. Officially know as El Chaco, this town lies at the north-end of the Paracas Peninsula, a national wildlife reserve. The big draw is the abundance of sea-mammals and birds surrounding the Islas Ballestas, fondly dubbed as ‘the poor man’s Galapagos’. But besides the islands there is also the Peninsula itself to explore..

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How to spend your days in misty metropolitan Lima

Of all places in Peru, its capital Lima is by far the most urban and sophisticated. Many travelers that visited told me that Lima was not really worth the time except that it had the convenience of one of the biggest international airports in South-America. I disagree. They simply didn’t know what to do in Lima. The city offers world-class cuisine, beautiful neighborhoods, an interesting colonial heritage and the best clubbing in the country. Staying a few days while eating delicious Ceviche and fighting off a jetlag after a long-haul flight is certainly not a bad idea!

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what to do in Arequipa: the colonial gem of Peru

Arequipa, often dubbed ‘the white city’ is the colonial pride of Peru. The second-largest city in the country combines beautiful colonial buildings with all modern amenities of a large urban dwelling. It is situated about 2300 meters above sea-level making it the perfect place to acclimatise to the altitude before visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu or Puno which are all a lot higher up. And with the Colca Canyon, El Misti and Chachani on its doorstep, there is really no reason to skip this beautiful colonial gem. The question that remains is, what to do in Arequipa? 

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Why I hated the beautiful Uros Islands

As a child I once saw a Discovery-documentary from Jacques Cousteau where he explained about the weird frilled frogs that live in lake Titicaca. Ever since visiting this lake has been high on my list. On the shores of lake Titicaca lies Puno, the second most visited town in Peru. People flock here to see the floating Uros islands. Yes they are undeniably beautiful. Yes they are unlike any other islands you have ever seen. But man did I hate visiting them.  Continue reading “Why I hated the beautiful Uros Islands”

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The best way to get to Machu Picchu: the Salkantay Trek

The best way to get to the holy city of the Incas is not the easiest, but the 5 day/4 night Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu is worth every drop of sweat. You’ll be balancing rocky ridges between snow-capped peaks the one day, only to decent into lush rain forest the next. You’ll see glaciers, cross cold mountain streams, eat ripe fruits straight from the trees and relax in beautiful hot springs after a hard day of trekking. Salkantay trekking has it all and more, because not only is this an epic walk, it is also the route to Machu Picchu. Continue reading “The best way to get to Machu Picchu: the Salkantay Trek”

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Huacachina: the desert oasis in the middle of the Peruvian desert

One of the most surreal places I have ever spend the night is Huacachina, a small oasis in the middle of the desert. A blue greenish lagoon lined with palm-trees is surrounded by a few dozen structures. Rising above their roofs are the most massive sand-dunes you have ever seen. It gets even better: you can actually surf down these dunes on an old snowboard! Immensely beautiful, utterly bizarre and only a few hours drive from Peru’s capital Lima: welcome to Huacachina.

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