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The Deepest Canyon in the World

Twice the drop of the Grand Canyon, Canyon del Colca, registers as the deepest canyon in the world (okay, the canyon 6 hours away was confirmed to be a 130 m deeper, but it didn't have us).

We found geysers, hot springs, cold springs, a brutally scorching sun, fell in some cactus, got really close to massive condors, and found superb company.

Tip: if you go, base your trek out of Pachamama in Cabanaconde

The Navel of the Earth

You never really know what a City will be like. But you have to be excited about one that's known as, a bellybutton. Cusco rocked. We indulged in a necessary gastronomic bump, rode out a wicked fever, and soaked up the pristine beauty of Peru's oldest city, basking in sunshine and cool breezes.

On the educational front, we took a night time visit to a planetarium of technically challenge proportions. Beyond telescoping and learning more about the southern constellations (a treat under these magnificent skies), we had a special lesson on how the Incas measured and used the heavens as an agricultural calendar/predictor. They had some swag knowledge, and built a refrigeration unit that would put your Sub-zero to shame. The evening was a great precursor to the area's main event.











We decided to take the cheap route to Machu Picchu. It included semi-terrifying roads, the greatest little river crossing, and a hike down the railway tracks — Stand by Me, style.

 




Today we build ever higher, ever larger and ever more sophisticated structures and cities. But we don't do it on the tops of steep mountains surround by more steep mountains. And that's what's so captivating about Machu Picchu. The labor and engineering needed to erect such a place, in such a place, and have it stand for 600 years is a marvel. Much like the person who decided it was worth trying.

































To escape the crowds, we hiked up Montaña Machu Picchu. It gave us some serious views of the entire valley (practically to ourselves) allowing the grandeur of it all to sink in.

The Nazca Lines

When the modern world encroaches upon ancient wonders, there's often a feeling that something great has been spoiled, or lost. The asphalt highway disected the mysterious lines, bright green fields and the occasional pool flanked the scorched past, and a sprawling haphazard town lived off of, but failed share in any way the beauty of these primitive designs. As we bobbed and weaved through the sky, the mystery and awesomeness left behind by the Nazca culture was actually amplified through the clash and context of time. LOOK, look the monkey!

Weeeeeee

After some solid bus action we made a brief stop in Huacachina — A little oasis surrounded by the biggest dunes we've ever seen (700 feet). These suckers were towering. Perfect for some wild dune buggy and boarding action. As you can see, we opted for the face-first toboggan style. All waxed up with your nose a few inches from the sand, the dunes are a little intimidating. Super fun. And a easy way to take the skin off your toes should you be wearing sandals.

10 Beautiful Days

The HuayHuash Cordillera Circuit is reported to be the best trek in Peru, some even say, in South America. And with the entire 10 days above 4000m, a demanding one. Armed with a cute Guia, an ever smiling cook, and a pint-sized donkey driver, we set off.

(While not necessarily advisable, it's impossible not to compare epic treks. And the questioned begged, how would this compare to the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal?)

DAY ONE:

 

 

DAY TWO: 4750m Pass
Freezing cold pee in the middle of the night = Stargazing Extraordinaire.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY THREE: 4650m Pass
Avalanche! Seriously cool to see and hear.


 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY FOUR: 4800m Pass
The fastest 4 year old in the mountains was a pro at scamming chocolate from hikers atop the pass. And it showed.

DAY FIVE: 4750m Portachuelo de Huayhuash Pass
Hot Springs, Baby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY SIX: 5000m Punta Cuyoc Pass
Rain, sleet, hail, and snow.

 

 

 

 

DAY SEVEN: 5020m Santa Rosa Pass
Celebrating on the sublime pass with our new friends from Spain — Luis and Rosa. It was a loooong day.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY EIGHT: 4800m Punta Tapuish Pass
Our trusted four-legged guide, Sambo, goes missing. Hope you find him, Camillo.

 

 

 

DAY NINE: 4750m Yuacha Pass
Beer!

 

 

 

 

DAY TEN: 4300m
Conclusions. These might be the second highest mountains in the world, and even though our average daily-altitude was higher here, the sheer size of the Himalayas puts it in a different category. That is undeniable. The cultural experience of the Annapurna Circuit also trumps the HuayHuash. But when it comes to diversity of landscapes, HuayHuash is orgasmically nimble, dazzling us over each pass and down each valley. As for which is more beautiful, we'll let you be the judge.
 

The Warm Up

We spent a week soaking up the thin air around sunny Huaraz, Peru. Preparing for a difficult high altitude trek in the glacier capped Cordillera. After two acclimatisation hikes, we headed up to Chavin for some Pre Incan fun. Had a massive landslide not covered up the majority of the compound, including the famed underground tunnels, it probably would have been more impressive, or maybe our experiences in Egypt and Angkor Wat have set the bar a little too high. Or, maybe the only temple on our minds were the mountains to come.