Peru

Peru was the final country during the first leg of my journey. Here, I had the highest high of my five months (trekking to and exploring Machu Picchu) and the lowest low (being sick for two weeks).

At the beginning of the month, my parents and I met in Lima. We spent a few wonderful days catching up, eating amazing food, and relaxing before we split off to begin our respective tours of Peru. I began my week and a half journey from Lima to Cusco on Peru Hop, a tour bus company that was created by backpackers for backpackers. The visits about seven different cities of interest in Peru, and I could spend as many days as I wanted in each city and then join the bus for the next leg at my own discretion. Though the pace was a grind compared to my preferred speed, I loved this option. I saw so much of Peru, met tons of awesome backpackers, had some unforgettable experiences, and really enjoyed myself.

So what did I do during my Peru Hop adventures? I visited the “Poor Man’s Galapagos” where I saw seals, penguins, and dolphins. Spent an afternoon zooming over sand dunes, boarding down them, and going hoarse from screaming and cheering. We toured a former hacienda and its claustrophobic underground slave quarters. Learned about and tasted Peruvian pisco and wines. I did an overnight tour of the Colca Canyon that featured jaw-dropping scenery, llama photo opts, delicious alpaca and guinea pig dishes, traditional music and dance performances, and an afternoon watching the condors soar throughout the canyon. A trip to Lake Titicaca to experience the floating islands and the different cultures that live on the Peru-side of the lake. The tour ended with the long bus drive to Cusco.

Unfortunately, the pace, altitude, and a stomach bug all caught up with me once I got to Cusco. Thank goodness I had nine days in Cusco before my Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. In Cusco, I was sick in bed for a solid week and could barely explore this beautiful city. On the last day of my trek, I caught a chest cold and ended up being sick for the remaining five days that I had in Peru before my flight to the States.

Though half of my month was spent in bed, I loved the beauty and rich culture of this desert country. Also I completed my greatest challenge and was rewarded with an afternoon in Machu Picchu (more about that in my Month 5 post). Altogether, Peru was the perfect adventure before returning home.