Smoke is billowing from Chimborazo volcano. We pull over to let our jaws hang low as we stare cautiously at this irritable mountain. An indigenous woman with a baby swaddled on her back waits on the side of the road, looking so poised with her velvet skirt, matching red tights, and felted bowler cap. She…
Penguins dash between the pier pylons, blue-footed boobies dive bomb for fish, sea lions sunbathe on the back of unmanned boats…and we haven’t even docked our boat. You’d think this was a Sea World show but it’s everyday life in the Galapagos and part two of our 10-day expedition with Active Adventures (read the first…
Exploring the Galapagos is like safari at sea. But unlike an elusive cheetah or lioness in the tall grasses of the savanna, the Galapagos wildlife don’t shy away…they are equally curious about you. Playful sea lions swim up to snorkelers, penguins do laps around kayakers, and iguanas sunbathe alongside you. Many of the animals you…
Our month-long journey through Ecuador begins with a whirlwind tour of the capital…Quito! Join us as we explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site from historic churches to markets to the center of the world… Quito in 12 hours Quito Fast Facts:
With Machu Picchu as the trump card, Peru is more touristy than any other country we visited in South America but it’s not without its rugged charms. From our journey up through Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon, Arequipa, Cusco to Lima…You know you are in Peru when… – Ancient ruins are so commonplace they double as…
You cannot say the word “Peru” without someone immediately following it with a comment about Machu Picchu. This means two things regarding the Lost City of the Incas: It is a truly magnificent destination in South America and secondly, it’s the biggest tourist magnet south of the equator. With this in mind and our constant…
Before heading to the volcanic stone-town of Arequipa, we thought we’d spend a day hiking the “nearby” Colca Canyon. Perhaps this section of Lonely Planet was a bit vague or we just wanted to believe this could be done in a day trip, but this town was about two connections and two days away by…
Bolivia is the poorest country in South America, but what it doesn’t have in GDP it makes up in character. They have 37 languages, the largest indigenous population on the continent, a fearless entrepreneurial spirit, and offer the best bang for your buck. You know you are in Bolivia when…. – Chewing coca leaves is…
Everyone knows about Lake Titicaca, even if just for its socially awkward name, but what puts this massive high-altitude lake on the map is its culturally significance for both Bolivia and Peru. The famous Uros Floating Islands and the Incan religious site Isla del Sol are two major draws to this 12,507-feet high lake and…
Perched at 13,343 feet above sea level, PotosĂ, Bolivia is one of the highest cities in the world. Mount Rico looms over the city, reminding everyone of the glory days when silver poured from its mines, funding the Spanish armada as the crown jewel of the empire. As you wander the city streets you notice…
For a crash course on Bolivia, start in the 1-million-person capital of La Paz, ride the cliffs along the Death Road down to the jungle town of Corioco. Chaos, beauty, and character collide for quintessential Bolivia. At 11,975 feet above sea level, La Paz is one of the highest cities in the world with incredible…