SOUTH AMERICA September 2016
I had been to South America once before during our Winter for a skiing and sightseeing holiday.
I visited Chile and Argentina - skiing at Baroloche, Valle Nevada and La Parva.
I also spent time in Buenos Aires 'the city of Tango'.
This time I decided I wanted to spend my birthday at Machu Picchu - so I made it happen. Started planning 12 months ahead as I new flights are always busy in September and sought the expert advice of Graham at Destinations South America who I have known since I started in travel in the early 1980's... now I'm showing my age !!!
With his expertise, we came up with a fantastic itinerary taking in Rio in Brazil, the Iguassu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian side, Peru, Bolivia and finally ending our journey in the Atacama Desert in Chile.
The countries are so so different and each have their special 'something' to offer.
There are so many highlights from this trip that I cannot mention them all... but highlights for me were -
Rio -
We arrived there just after the Olympic Games and hearing all the media hype about theft and unrest and the zika virus was enough to make you think twice about visiting. It could not have been more different - it was friendly, safe and fun - just what I imagined it would be... Visiting the Favelas was certainly a highlight as was Christ the Redeemer...
Iguassu Falls -
Amazing ! What more can I say - Experience the stunning beauty and raw power of one of the greatest natural wonders on Earth: Iguassu Falls...
Machu Picchu - to be there on my birthday was something very very special.. we climbed and climbed and climbed and the views were breathtaking from every angle. Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - it stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting ... Put it on your bucket list -
Lake Titicaca -
In Andean belief, Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun. In addition, it's the largest lake in South America and the highest navigable body of water.
Lake Titicaca is a large, deep lake in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia.
La Paz -
La Paz, in Bolivia, is the highest administrative capital in the world, resting on the Andes’ Altiplano plateau at more than 3,500m above sea level. It stretches to El Alto city in the highlands, with snow-capped, 6,438m-high Mt. Illimani as its backdrop. The city's dramatic setting can be taken in during rides on Mi Teleférico, the aerial cable car system - a fascinating city.... Watch the Altitude though, it can make you feel nauseous and out of breath - try and spend a few days there just to acclimatize.
Uyuni Salt Flats -
Uyuni - the home of the famous Dakar Race.....
Salar de Uyuni, amid the Andes in southwest Bolivia, is the world’s largest salt flat. It’s the legacy of a prehistoric lake that went dry, leaving behind a desertlike, nearly 11,000-sq.-km. landscape of bright-white salt, rock formations and cacti-studded islands. Its otherworldly expanse can be observed from central Incahuasi Island. Though wildlife is rare in this unique ecosystem, it harbors many pink flamingos. The colours are out of this world... it is so so different from anything I had every seen before... a must do when visiting South America -
Atacama Desert - San Pedro Luna Valley Rainbow Mountain
Luna Valley is one of the most visited places in San Pedro and it is located at 17 kilometers of San Pedro's downtown, in the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt mountains) area, is an interesting area with stones and sand formations that per millenia the floods and the winds have given it a series of colors and texture to the desert, it presents extraordinary viewing by its similarity with the moon surface - the colours are also amazing and forever changing - the sunset viewing is a must!
There is just too much to put into words, but if you are planning a trip to South America please call me for a chat... Happy to share my experiences with you!