Peru was the country on my South America itinerary that I was least excited about, but I was so wrong to have underestimated it. I fell in love with the country. It doesn't matter what kind of scenery or vibe you're looking for (lakes, mountains, beaches, rainforests, big cities, history, food)--you'll find it in Peru. … Continue reading Peru recap
Peru
Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Travel fatigue is a thing. It's the best problem to have--I mean, seriously, what kind of person gets tired of traveling? (Ungrateful people like me, that's who.) All the feels got to me in Arequipa, my last stop in Peru. This is going to be a "Woe is me, I get to travel" blog post. … Continue reading Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Huacachina and Nazca
After a couple of nights in Paracas, I continued heading south to Huacachina and Nazca. HUACACHINA Like Paracas, the desert oasis of Huacachina is a backpacker hotspot, partly due to its close proximity to Lima. Some operators in Lima offer a full-day tour to Paracas and Huacachina, but it's a lot to fit into one … Continue reading Huacachina and Nazca
Paracas
Paracas is only about 3.5 hours from Lima, so it's a popular stop for backpackers in Peru. Once in Paracas, many visitors opt for tours to Islas Ballestas, a group of islands teeming with birds and sea lions, and the national reserve. It's easy to fit both into one day, with a cruise to Islas … Continue reading Paracas
Huaraz
I'm not a hiking or climbing enthusiast, so I'd never heard of Huaraz before I visited Peru. I don't remember who first told me about the city, but that person--whoever he or she was--is a saint. I loved so many things about Peru, but Huaraz was the absolute highlight. Like snow-capped mountains? Go to Huaraz. … Continue reading Huaraz
A. CHOO'S TRAVELS 