Peru Magico!
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to make a trip of a lifetime! The kind that doesn't happen often, and I will be eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to make it. Not only did I reunite with 8 dear friends that live in different parts of the USA (some of whom I had not seen in about 2 years), but it all happened in my magical homeland of PERU!
We traveled to towns far away; hiked overwhelmingly tall mountains along the Andes; visited ancient ruins; ate food so delicious it made our mouths water; drank fresh juices and cocktails made with exotic fruits, and we couldn't get enough; held baby alpacas; camped right next to scary cliffs; didn't shower for days; experienced pain, discomfort, sickness, but also lots of laughter!! Rode horses to a rainbow mountain; indulged and relaxed in high end hotels; roughed it at hostels without hot water; saved stray beach puppies; and rode crazy sand buggies through beautiful sand dunes. The adventures were wild, the sights breathtaking, and the company delightful. An experience we will never forget!
The beginning of our 4-day trek. Inca Trail, Peru.
Ancient ruins along the way. Inca Trail, Peru.
Approximately 72 hours, 85,000 steps, 850 floors, and 30 miles of this beauty until we arrived to Machu Picchu. Inca Trail, Peru.
Morning clouds starting to dissipate in Machu Picchu, Peru.
The great citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru.
The beautiful Rainbow Mountain. 17,000 ft of elevation. Vinicunca, Cusco, Peru.
Amazing view from the other side of the Rainbow Mountain. Vinicunca, Cusco, Peru.
Riding sand buggies through the dunes of Huacachina. Ica, Peru.
I have to say, I'm not only lucky to have traveled with great friends, but I am also very lucky that they are all incredibly talented artists as well:
• Our friend Alaina Hower didn't let the altitude, joint pain, exhaustion and treacherous paths stop her from documenting every moment of our trip! She is such a trooper and an incredible photographer! Please enjoy some of the amazing photos she took. Thank you so much, Alaina!!
Be sure to visit her website for more breathtaking landscape and portrait photography! www.alainahower.com
• Our friend Nadia Ibanez, is a very talented writer who shares her journeys on her online travel magazine: www.wander-magazine.com. If you have a little bit of time to fully submerge into our experience, follow the links below and let Nadia take you through our journey in a magical way! You will feel as if you were there with us!
Agradecido: How the Inca Trail showed me my true inner strength:
http://wander-magazine.com/agradecido-how-the-inca-trail-showed-me-my-true-inner-strength/
Seafood and serious relaxation at Hotel Paracas, Peru:
http://wander-magazine.com/seafood-and-serious-relaxation-at-hotel-paracas-peru/
• Last but not least, our friends Sara Corral and Chrissy Ermie made a life-changing decision last year, and they have been traveling the world for over a year now! They often share their wild adventures on their travel website www.onairplanemode.com, and on instagram @on_airplanemode. Be sure to subscribe/follow to get a glimpse of the incredible things they have seen around the globe, and check out one of their latest posts on instagram for a fantastic video of our day at the dunes of Huacachina.
I hope you've enjoyed our adventure!
Xoxo,
Romi