Nigel: During our time in the previous town, we signed up for the Cola Canyon tour. The tour was for 2 days and the main attraction was the canyon and the condor birds which lived within. The canyon was previously recognised as the deepest canyon in the world (Grand canyon is the longest), but in recent years and with technology improving, it is now the 3rd deepest. For a canyon to be classed as one, it has to have one main feature... it has to be deeper than wid...

Alison: We were very relieved to arrive in Arequipa and get off the overnight bus but our first trip here was to be a very short one as we arrived at 6.30am and were getting picked up at 8.30am for a 2 day trip to Colca Canyon. We had just enough time for a quick freshen up and a look around the city to hunt for a cash machine. Arequipa is a very nice looking city. The centre consists of cobbled streets, grand colonial buildings, churches and a square. The most...

Alison: Following our trip to the Ballestas Islands we set off for Huacachina which is a tiny place built around a small lagoon nestled amongst huge sand dunes in the dessert. It is composed of only 3 small streets and a path around the lagoon but despite the size it is very popular with both Peruvians and foreigners as the dunes are not only very spectacular to look at but are also perfect for sand boarding. As part of Peru Hop service, if you don't have any...

Nigel: With a fairly early start, we were out of bed and out on the water before we had chance to have our first cup of coffee (not that there was anywhere to get a cup!). The boat journey to the Ballestas Islands took around 45 minutes and this was going at some speed to get there. The islands are often described as the poor mans Galapagos and similar to the Galapagos Islands, the main attraction is the wildlife which lives there. This includes penguins, seals, ...

Alison: Today we started our Peru Hop adventure. The tour started with a quick spin around Lima to pick everyone up and then we were given a run down on the bus rules......you were pretty much allowed to do whatever you want but it was forbidden to do a number 2 in the bus toilet! This point was really hammered home so there must have been some unpleasant bus journeys in the past that made this rule so essential!The first couple of stops were just on the outskirt...