Machu Picchu Must-See
Machu Picchu Must-See. High on so many travelers bucket list is Machu Picchu, and rightly so; it is truly magnificent. This Inca Empire landmark rests comfortably on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) and is a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Incas constructed Machu Picchu in the mid-15th century as an estate for Inca Emperor Pachacuti. Machu Picchu was abandoned just a century later around the time that the Spanish were conquering the Inca Empire. Machu Picchu was not “discovered” by the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention. The Inca Empire arose sometime in the early 13th century and its end was met with the invasion of the Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro in 1572. The Inca Empire at its height spanned parts of current day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Columbia. The Inca Empire numbered over 10 million and was considered the largest empire in Pre-Columbian South America. How To Get There In short, you [...]
Ultimate Guide Salar de Uyuni Bolivia
Ultimate Guide Salar de Uyuni Bolivia. Salar de Uyuni is located in the southwest corner of Bolivia. It is the world’s largest salt flat in the world at over 4,000 square miles. And it is at a high altitude, at 11,995 feet (3,656 meters). The Salar was formed eons ago, when water from nearby mountains drained into this high plateau forming a giant lake. Over the years, the Andean sun beat down, evaporating the lake. What remained was a thick crust of salt. The result was a vast expense of whiteness that is exceedingly flat. There is a deviation of less than three feet across the entire flat. The flat also contains upwards of 70% of the world’s lithium reserves, e.g.,the battery in your iPhone. Salar de Uyuni is of immense and unique beauty with its infinite pure horizon. Salar de Uyuni is a must-see. There is a cottage industry of driving tourists into the Salar as well as other adjacent majestic natural wonders. I will share with you a typical three day trip into the Salar; what you will [...]
Bolivia – 111th Country
Bolivia – 111th Country. To see where I have been so far, check out my map as I count down the final 93 countries on the road to all 193 UN countries. Bolivia is my 111th country. Check out the best 193 travel books to read! Bolivia has been on my bucket list for a long time. Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in South America. Bolivia was part of the Inca Empire, and then a colony of Spain. It gained its independence in 1825. Today, it is the Plurinational State of Bolivia with a very diverse 11 million people with many indigenous people. I spent a week and a half exploring the country with my efforts focused in three areas. First was Lake Titicaca one of the largest lakes in South America and one of the world’s highest. Sandwiched in the middle was La Paz, the gritty and fascinating capital. And finally, Salar de Uyuni the largest salt lake in the world, a beautiful expanse of whiteness, scintillating flamingoes, and spectacular nature. Ultimate Guide to [...]
Cholita Wrestling La Paz
Cholita Wrestling La Paz. One of the joys of travel is witnessing local dress. And visitors to Bolivia will immediately note the unique style of many Bolivian women. A high bowler hat, a puffy skirt, and long braided hair. These are the Cholitas. These Cholitas are indigenous women from the Aymara and Quechua groups of the Andes. And until recently, Cholitas were often discriminated against, being refused entry to restaurants and taxis, and not even allowed to walk freely in the Plaza Murillo, where the presidential plaza is located. Cholitas were firmly placed in the lower castes of society, often playing the role of domestic servant or street hawker in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. But thankfully in recent years, their status has been rising. Bolivian Lucha Libre’s history can be traced to the 1950s. This form of wrestling is better known in Mexico, where it was developed in the mid-19th century. You might be aware of this wrestling with the crazy masks. But Bolivia devised its own unique twist on Lucha Libre. Cholita wrestling. The [...]
Sauce Hostal Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley
Sauce Hostal Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley. Sauce Hostal is located in the heart of, a quaint village of 10,000 in the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo is a great base to explore the valley and also a great midpoint between Machu Picchu and Cusco. In fact, I made Ollantaytambo my home base for three days to explore the area and to get acclimated to the higher elevation of the region (Ollantaytambo is at a lower elevation than Cusco). Check out how I spent my three days in the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo, set in a valley surrounded by mountains and Incan Ruins, is easily walkable. In fact, Sauce Hostal makes it home adjacent to Plaza Ollantaytambo and a brief walk to the Incan Ruins, whose terraces cascade down the side of the mountain. Some of the rooms at Sauce Hostal provide an eagle eye’s view of the ruins. Ollantaytambo is comprised of restaurants, bars, shops, and is full of history. It is a low- key place to relax for several days. Sauce Hostal is a family run business and during my [...]
Three Days Sacred Valley Peru
Three Days Sacred Valley Peru. It was a long overnight flight (3 segments from ORD-SAL-LIM-CUZ) with little sleep. I was excited for my trip to explore the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco. I was starting my trip with three nights in Ollantaytambo. While I was planning on spending three nights in Cusco, I decided to begin my trip in Ollantaytambo since it is 600 meters lower than Cusco. This gave me a couple of days to acclimate before Machu Picchu and Cusco. I was to spend the next two weeks at higher altitudes, from 2,000 to 4,000 plus meters and this would take a slight toll on me. The Sacred Valley of the Incas also known as the Urubamba Valley is located in the Andes Mountains and is overflowing with historical Inca ruins.
