Lake Titicaca A small population of about 10 families decided to escape the Incas and Collas by building their own island in the middle of one of the highest lakes in the world (4000M above sea) called Lake Titicaca. The altitude provides clear, crisp air with the strong sun and clear blue skys reflected in the water making it seem almost royal blue. The floating islands are created from the roots of reefs, woven together and then with additional 1.5 metres o...

Machu Picchu Mystical and magnificent Machu Picchu. After all the hype, I expected to be disappointed and relieved that I was anything but. The gods honoured our sun dance and blessed us with clear skys which made all the difference in the world. We were among the first 5 people into the site - there is something so magical looking down through the clouds, as they hang between the mountains that surround this long, lost city and civilization, and seeing it comp...

Sacred Valley En route to Machu Picchu via the Sacred Valley, a fellow traveler and I explored some of the Inca ruins around Cuzco, including an old battle ground, baths, temples and stunning terraces. We arrived at an old city called Ollantaytambo (which ended up being my favourite word of the day) which was a wonderful example of the court yard layout of the Inca villages and had an amazing ruin overlooking the city. As we waiting for our 'Backpacker Noche'...

Cuzco Cuzco is the former capital of the Inca empire and the jumping off point for Machu Picchu. At an elevation of 3300M above sea, it has cool, crisp air and blue skys which provides a warm blanket of clean air over the lovely colonial town square. Beautiful cathedrals, fountains and archways honour its colonial past. The cobble stone, narrow streets are sprinkled with the old Inca walls and lined with artisan shops, museums, restaurants and, of course, tou...