Discovering Quito’s Historic Guápulo Village
One of our final items of business in Quito was to explore the neighborhood of Guapulo, not exactly an easy feet on foot from Old Town, but undoubtedly worth it.
Backpacking South America
Here, you’ll find all of our blog posts covering our overland backpacking journey from Lima, Peru to Quito, Ecuador.
Highlights from Peru include Arequipa and hiking Colca Canyon, Cuzco and trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, memorable encounters with remote communities on Lake Titicaca, exploring isolated Iquitos and the Peruvian Amazon.
Highlights from Ecuador include visiting Cuenca, exploring in and around Banos, hiking around Lake Quilotoa, visiting the largest market in Latin America in Otavalos, and urban explorations in Ecuador’s capital, Quito.
Quito’s Mitad del Mundo (Equator Monument)
For some unfathomable reason, the Equator is an endless source of fascination for those of us who grew up in the northern (or southern) latitudes. We set out to discover what all the hype is about.
The President and the Panecillo in Quito
Today, we’re continuing our tour of Old Town, with a trip up to Quito’s famous (and infamous) Panecillo, but not before running into the President of Ecuador, himself.
Exploring Quito’s Amazing Neo-Gothic Basílica del Voto Nacional
The largest Neo-Gothic basilica in the Western Hemisphere, Quito’s gigantic Basílica del Voto Nacional (Basilica of the National Vow) is also definitely the coolest church I’ve ever set foot in.
Celebrating Quito’s Independence Day in Old Town
Unraveling the mysteries around us on a an important national holiday celebrated with gusto in Old Town Quito, Ecuador.
Otavalo Market: Visiting the Largest Market in Ecuador
We overshot Quito, Ecuador by two hours to catch one of the largest and most famous markets in all of South America — Otavalo Market.
Hiking Around the Rim of Lake Quilotoa
Twenty minutes into hiking around the rim of Ecuador’s Lake Quilotoa, we knew we had drastically underestimated the day’s undertaking.
Quilotoa Village
Hiking the rim around the 12,800-foot high Quilotoa “crater lake” was high on our list of must-do adventures in Ecuador, but we soon discovered that half the adventure was simply getting there.
Baños Waterfall Route: An Unforgettable Day Trip
A ridiculously fun day trip exploring the amazing Waterfall Route (Ruta de las Cascadas) of Baños, Ecuador by a unique mode of transport. When in Baños…
Baños: Seeing the Sights, Hiking the Hills
Sprawled out over a small, mile-high valley in the Andes, the supremely picturesque town of Baños, Ecuador lies in the shadow of an active volcano and is the gateway to the jungle.
Riobamba and the Search for the Devil’s Nose
Stopping over in a surprisingly impressive city with the hope of unlocking the secret to one of the world’s most infamous railways, La Nariz Del Diablo (The Devil’s Nose).
Captivating Cuenca
Cuenca was our first overnight stop in Ecuador after spending a month in Peru, and we could already tell on arrival that Ecuador was going to be a whole new ballgame.
The Peruvian Amazon: Iquitos, Mazán, and Indiana
We head to the Amazon, basing ourselves out of isolated Iquitos (Loreto) and attempting to cobble together our own independent jungle adventure.
Puno on Lake Titicaca
Perched at 12,556 feet above sea level on the shores of mammoth Lake Titicaca at the southern tip of Peru, the city of Puno has a distinct feel all its own — and the residents aren’t afraid to flaunt it.
Taquile Island (Isla Taquile) Overnight Stay
From Amantani Island, we catch a ferry to nearby Taquile Island — home to some of the handwoven textiles — in the heart of Lake Titicaca (Peru).
Lake Titicaca’s Isla Amantani (Amantani Island)
Dominated by agricultural terraces and two ancient-temple-topped peaks, the remote island of Amantani is quite unlike any other island we’ve visited.
Uros Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca
Peru’s side of Lake Titicaca is home to the Uru-Aymara people who live across 44 self-constructed floating islands made entirely of reed.
Inca Trail Trek, Day 4: Machu Picchu
The fourth and final day of our 40+ km Inca Trail trek, starting at 3:30am and ending on a train back to Cuzco, with Machu Picchu exploration in between.
Inca Trail Trek, Day 3
In Peru, continuing our trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This post covers our adventures and misadventures of the third day along the route.
Inca Trail Trek, Day 2
Day Two of our Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu was the most difficult: 10 miles over two 13,000 ft. passes, resulting in 11 of the most grueling and rewarding hours of our lives.
Our Incredible Inca Trail Trek, Day 1
Instead of taking the tourist route to Machu Picchu, we trekked four days over 42 kilometers following the 500-hundred-year-old Inca Trail. Here’s our travel report.
Cuzco: Capital Of The Inca Empire
Wandering the alleyways of San Blas, soaking up the history of Plaza de Armas, and climbing to see Jesus in Cuzco, Peru, in the lead-up to of our four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.
Arequipa to Cuzco by Bus
Another early morning bus ride Peru that ended up being a 10.5-hour adventure.
Out of the World’s [2nd] Deepest Canyon
We climb our way out of one of the deepest canyons in the world at high altitude and under blazing sun…needless to say, it wasn’t easy — but totally worth it.
Into the World’s [2nd] Deepest Canyon
Part one of hiking into (and out of) the world’s second deepest gash, Colca Canyon.
The White City of Arequipa
Exploring the enchanting “White City” of Arequipa, with its colonial, indigenous, and quintessential Peruvian charm.
Lima, Peru: Start of a South American Backpacking Adventure
We begin our month backpacking in Peru where many travelers do – in Lima. We explore the Miraflores neighborhood and some of the city’s top sights before taking a 16-hour overnight bus over the Andes to Arequipa.