Tag: Arequipa

Active volcano (Peru)

Hi !

Peru is one of this country that offers a huge variety of climate and landscape, from desert to tropical jungle, mountains and plateau higher that the highest peak in Europe. Driving (or been driven) in this environment is really an experience by itself, especially when you arrive at some 4900masl and see 8 volcanoes around you.

One of them was showing some activity, not really sure if this is just a production of steam, toxic gazes or the premises of a violent eruption. The story remains to be written on that.

Volcanoes and peaks all bear a huge importance for the Incas and pre-Incas, believing they were spirit protecting them. Yet most city stories usually are marked by the violence of the earthquakes and eruptions, which (if you have to look at the bright side) were reasons for them to improve their building technic and selection of location to establish new settlement.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Arequipa (Peru)

Hi !

I’m minutes away to leave Arequipa for Cusco and I must say it was quite a nice pleasant stop. From nice visits to specular food, Arequipa has been the tourist heaven I was looking for.

As you can see the city itself is surrounded by beautiful volcanos. It is not the same as Huaraz, but since it is less a mess than Huaraz, I feel a lot more relaxed.

I had to say, the must see is the Monasterio de Santa Catalina (with an official guide). There are a couple of beautiful churches, and the only disappointment was been blocked from entering the cathedral in shorts…

Cusco should be another awesome stop (for two weeks before doing the Inca trek), with the possibility to live there, trying to cook some of these Peruvian meal I’ve been enjoying the past weeks, learning some Spanish and possibly doing some rafting.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

The flight of the condor (Peru)

Hi !

Certainly a cliché, but can you really visit Peru and miss the flight of the condor. I guess not. So I went on what I can tell you I hate the most: a guided tour to Canyon del Colca, with the expected stop at Cruz del Condor, a lookout located where the Canyon gets as deep as 3400m, a place where condors love to glide.

Sure we were several hundreds, all attempting to capture a photo of the magnificent bird, and I would like to think I wasn’t the worst. I could have done better if I would have drop a rotten body for them to eat and get close to me, but I was way to found of my traveling buddy to do that to her.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !

Mirador de los Andes (Peru)

Hi !

There are a few roads on earth that you’ll always hear people saying that you have to drive them (or been driven on them) once in your life: the West Coast Highway in New Zealand, the Great Ocean Road in Australia, … I would add the one between Arequipa and Chivay.

First, because how many times in your life will you drive over the Mont Blanc, which is what happens when you reach the Mirador de los Andes (4910masl). Second because you’ll pass next to vicuñas while enjoying beautiful volcanos, some probably active. The landscape is incredible, making it obvious that it is hostile to many form of life (trees and humans most definitively).

The above picture was shot at the Mirador de los Andes, aiming at the Cordillera Chilena. The air here is as pure as it gets. Roads seems to leads to the far away mountains, but will drop to the valley below at some 3600masl. The snow is usually appearing above 5000masl, if you want an idea of the size of these giant in front of us.

Enjoy (or not) and stay tuned !