Bournemouth Echo | Trek Peru

A sprint through Panama and Costa Rica

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 11:22:37 +0000

Our time in Panama and Costa Rica will have to be limited or we will be heading home sooner rather than later. These countries are relatively expensive compared to the prices we became used to in Colombia.

Bogota, coffee and the search for Caribbean beaches

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:50:34 +0000

A trip to a city is made all the more worthwhile when you have a friend who can act as your own personal local guide.

Colombia: not the place you think it is

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:57:36 +0100

Colombia is cocaine, violence, gangs and crime. At least that is what the reputation of the country will lead you to believe. We entered South America with this in mind, but as we met travellers heading in the opposite direction, it appears that this misconception is highly outdated. We decided to find out for ourselves so headed from Quito to the border on yet another, highly erratic bus journey.

The Amazon jungle

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:15:57 +0100

In which Tom and Tori meet a tarantula and try some jungle drugs...

Ecuador, buses and whales

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:20:00 +0100

Tom and Tori's trip takes them to meet some of the world's most amazing creatures...

The North Peruvian Coast

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:40:17 +0100

We head North along the Pacific Coast to Trujillo after saying our goodbyes at the refuge.

Our time at Project Peru

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Our main activity at the refuge is to spend time with the children. We listen to their stories, show them love and show them that we care. This allows the staff to carry on with other aspects of their jobs whilst children chase me around a garden.

Project Peru: An introduction

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:22:50 +0100

Despite all our conversations and work prior to our time at Project Peru, we still did not know entirely what to expect. Nothing could have prepared us for the first time we met with the children.

Lima: the City of Kings

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:55:45 +0100

When Francisco Pizarro founded Lima in 1535, he christened the city 'The City Of Kings'. It was a rich, important place with a small population. Over the last century, Lima has swelled into a frantic capital with over eight million inhabitants.

The Inca Trail, blisters and ruins

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:02:01 +0100

Last year, Tori and I asked our friends and family to sponsor our trek of the Inca Trail. The donations went to the charity Project Peru, a children's refuge where we are due to volunteer.

Pisco, penguins and the riches of droppings

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:58:45 +0100

No matter how hard you try and concentrate whilst on a tour of a winery, there is a nagging voice in the back of your head saying ´this is boring, get to the tasting bit´.

Lines, mummies and buggies

Tue, 18 May 2010 12:31:55 +0100

Shapes etched into the desert near Nazca known as ´the lines´ were formed by aliens. At least, that is what some theories suggest.

Arequipa, protests and big birds

Mon, 17 May 2010 16:37:51 +0100

As we travel around Peru, we have come across several protests and marches, none of which have directly effected our travel plans apart from provide us with an occasional colourful and noisy back drop.

Cuzco, guinea pigs and treks

Mon, 03 May 2010 11:20:17 +0100

When the Incas ruled an area that stretched from South Colombia all the way to North Argentina, Cuzco was the central and most important Inca City.

The Islands Of Lake Titicaca

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:02:39 +0100

As we enter Peru we understand the importance of a ninety day visa.

Altitude sickness is not for me

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:17:07 +0100

Having arrived in La Paz relatively refreshed after a night of travelling, we felt it a good time to have a wander around the city.