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 … Continue reading Huaraz
Lima
When I was in Peru, a bunch of travelers advised me to spend as little time in Lima as possible. "It's nothing special. It's just another big city," they said. With those less-than-stellar reviews, I arrived in Lima with few expectations. Maybe I just wanted to be contrarian, but I ended up liking Lima so … Continue reading Lima
Machu Picchu
At the risk of sounding like an awful person, I'll admit that I wasn't excited about visiting Machu Picchu. It wasn't a bucket list item for me. I admired photos of the ruins, but I was more interested in other South American destinations like Salar de Uyuni, Patagonia, and even Rainbow Mountain. So, why did … Continue reading Machu Picchu
