Buenos dias.I was given the opportunity to travel to Peru and Chile with Scenic Tours this September. What an amazing destination! We started our adventure in Santiago where we took in a city tour and a visit to the Pre-Columbian museum. We also travelled to the Casablanca Valley to sample the fine Chilean wines and take in some of the local cuisine.
We continued our journey to Peru, where we took in the spectacular views over the Sacred Valley, we also enjoyed a private weaving demonstration by the women of Chinchero village. We visited the town of Ollyantambo and the Inca ruins, our journey continued to the Misinmay Village Community where, we were welcomed by the locals and their children to learn all about their lifestyle, this was truly a cultural experience I will never forget. I shopped my heart out at the Pisac Markets and purchased some of the locals handicrafts, shame, I didn’t have a bigger suitcase!
Our journey then took as aboard the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. This was dream for me to visit Machu Picchu. WOW! It certainly lived up to my expectations. We enjoyed a guided tour through this historic lost city of the Incas. Standing in the middle of the tropical rainforest, Machu Picchu is the greatest urban creation of the Inca Empire.
I also visited the beautiful city of Cuzco and then travelled into the heart of the Andes, viewing glaciers, snow capped mountains and tiny villages on our way to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. We enjoyed an excursion to the remarkable floating islands. Built of layers of totora reeds home to the traditional Uros community. This was another cultural highlight for me.
Our final destination was Lima, we took in the sights of Peru’s capital city before beginning our jouney home. I would say this trip was by far one of my favourites so far and I recommend this destination to anyone. I can’t wait to go back.
The Scenery, Sights, the People and the Culture…. South America has it all! A must destination for all!
