Machu Picchu & the Peruvian Amazon

Michael and I set off to Peru from Chile on July 4. We flew into Cusco and adventured around, trying not to let the high altitude get the best of us. (Let's just say that the very gradual steps up to our hostel were enough to take my breath away.) The following day we set off on a four day, three night Inka Jungle Trek through the forests and mountains of Peru via bike, foot, bus, etc., and ultimately ending our journey at one of the Seven Wonders of the New World, Machu Picchu. Found high in the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu was to be one of many homes for the Incas along the Andes mountain range, spanning from Ecuador to Chile. However, before Machu Picchu was ever completed, the Spanish invaded and killed off most of the population, leaving the fortress abandoned, until July 24, 1911 when American explorer, Hiram Bingham discovered the ruins.

After completing the trek, we flew up to Iquitos, where we spent three days and two nights in the Peruvian Amazon. From the moment we got to the airport, we got an idea of what the city would be like. We walked off of the plane into harsh humidity and made our way into the two-gate airport with glassless windows, giant beetles on the floor, and no running water. Iquitos, the world's largest city that is not accessible by car, is located in the middle of the Amazon jungle and is a port city on the Amazon river. Having woken up that morning with a harsh stomach bug, the intense sun, my heavy bags, and the exotic fish (and apparently giant larva) market that we ended up in before boating downriver to camp, were no treat. (Neither was the rocky two hour boat ride.) From there, we went on various excursions, including a visit with natives; trying ayahuasca; visiting with various wildlife on Monkey Island; fishing for piranhas; and hiking through the spider infested jungle in the dead of night.