What to See and Do in Peru

The Life List. Everyone has made a list of some sort or other in their lives. It is a list of goals and dreams that most of the time is put away in a drawer and forgotten about. But don't wait too long like Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson did in the movie The Bucket List. You might not be as lucky to find a millionaire to whisk you around the world checking off your wish list in a few short months before you kick the bucket. It is time to start fulfilling your dreams and one of the best places to start is in the country of Peru.

Filled with incredible scenery, famous sights and offering several adrenaline filled activities Peru is the perfect choice to start checking off the things that you have always wanted to see and do but were too afraid to try. It doesn't take long before you have actually made it through a large chunk of your list during your stay.

Machu Picchu is at the top of most peoples list. If there is one thing that you must see in your life is one of the greatest ruins on the planet and this one is as good as it gets. Located in the Andes Mountains it is a mesmerizing Inca Ruin top a 2500 meter mountain. Take in the sight as you sit on another peak overlooking Machu Picchu and try to imagine how it was built over 600 years ago with no technology. Make sure to arrive early to beat the crowds and feel the magic as the cloud and mist burns off. Machu Picchu consists of 200 buildings that terrace down the side of a steep mountain leading in to the deep valley below. Whether you hike the Inca Trail visit Macchu Picchu, or take the train on a breathtaking journey through the Andes, you will not be disappointed.

Many people are looking for a thrill when they make their life list. Jumping out of an airplane seems to be atop many lists. If you happen to visit Lima, you can take that goal and give it a twist to try paragliding. Walk down to the waterfront of Mira Flores and you will soon find a place where people sign up to jump off of a high cliff over the Pacific Ocean. The fun doesn't stop there however, once your parachute catches the air, you and your instructor will be able to ride the airwaves high above the city as he steers you through sky scapers and over the ocean. It is one of the most unique experiences you will have in your life and you will have the same thrill and excitement as skydiving, but in a more exotic location than your local airstrip.

Many people want to see one of the great deserts of the world. The Sahara or Kalahari are a couple of famous ones, but did you know that Peru has some of the largest sand dunes on the planet? Located in the region of Ica, you can go on a tour deep into the desert by dune buggy. This isn't your every day relaxing buggy ride however, you will be plunging down near vertical cliffs only to spin out at the bottom and take off again at top speed over the desert dunes. Not only that, you will be treated to an introduction to sand boarding. Feel the freedom as you surf in the sand or hop on your board like a sled and whiz down the hill into the valley below. It will make you feel like a kid again.

We all know about Oasis from movies and television, but how many people have actually seen one and stayed on its shores overnight. Huacachina is a village built around a natural lake in the middle of the desert called the Oasis of America. It is an incredibly beautiful location. There are only about 10 hotels most with swimming pools and the giant dunes right in your backyard. You can rent pedal boats to float around the small Oasis and spend the day relaxing by the waters edge taking in the incredible once in a lifetime opportunity.

If wild life is on your list, you will be in for a real treat when you visit Isla Ballestas. Located near Pisco, you can catch a tour boat to take you out to sea to view sea lions, penguins, Peruvian boobies and condors as well as millions of birds in this nature reserve. Your boat will take you out to beautiful rock formations located off shore where wildlife is free to live and play in a protected area. Take the once in a lifetime opportunity to see actual penguins play in their natural setting and watch the hundreds of sea lions bask in the sun on the beach or on the rocks. You will not be disappointed, although make sure to ask your operator if they are sensitive to the animal and do not take their boats too close to shore disrupting the wildlife with exhaust pollution and the loud engines of the boats. Responsible tourism is a must.

These are just a few of the things that you can do in Peru to kick start your "Bucket List". There are so many other things to see and do like visit Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world, see real life catacombs in Lima or take a flight over the Nazca Lines. These lines are a mystery of the world etched in the sand over 2000 years ago. Shaped in the forms of spiders, monkeys, sharks and lizards, nobody really know what their purpose is or how they were made. Want to visit the jungle? A good portion of Peru is located in the Amazon basin where you can explore one of the most fabled and vast rainforests on the planet.

So go to Peru soon and start living that life list rather than just dreaming about it. What are you waiting for? Go out there and start your life list. Life is short so you better get going and visiting Peru is a quick and easy way to check off a lot of dreams and wishes in a short amount of time.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/what-to-see-and-do-in-peru-1197566.html

Dave and Deb are Canada's Adventure Couple. They have traveled to over 35 countries where they have taken on extreme adventures from Cycling from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town, South Africa and Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Every new adventure takes them to remote corners of the world where they paddle, hike, scuba dive and trek their way around the globe. http://www.theplanetd.com

Top Historical Places To Visit in Bolivia

For those visiting Bolivia it is a must to visit Lake Titicaca which lies 94 miles northwest of La Paz. This vast lake is the birthplace of one of the greatest empires in history as it was here the Children of the Sun stepped forth from the sacred rock and the Incas began.

The water is still, calm and relaxing to any visitor. There are a few tours that go out onto the lake, and local fisherman but otherwise not much else.

Snow covered peaks of the Cordellera Real loom over the shores of the lake. The highlight for any tourist is the picturesque lakeshore town of Copacabana, established according to legend by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui. This town holds a number of important Inca ruins, yet they are overshadowed by the Virgin of Copacabana, the towns main attraction. Pilgrims travel from afar for her blessing.

The Cathedral of Copacabana is the home of the Virgin. As legend goes she appeared to Tito Yupanqui in a dream in 1580 causing him to travel to Potosi to learn to sculpt. He then hand carved the Virgin from the wood of a maguay cactus and carried her on foot to Copacabana from Potosi, placing it in a chapel in 1583. The Spanish completed the cathedral for her in 1617. The Virgin stands on a mechanical altar. On weekends she faces the main chapel and weekdays faces a small chapel on the other side. At the bottom of the altar is a silver ship representing the moon, and above the Virgin’s head is a gold statue which symbolises the sun. The Virgin is revered.

For those visitors interested in archaeological sites there are three Inca ruins in Copacabana. The Asiento del Inca (Seat of the Inca) which some have said is where Inca priests met. The carvings here are large indentations into the rock resembling thrones. The carvings are at different levels in what appear different rooms and do not face the same direction. Then there is the Horca del Inca, a three rock structure that resemble gallows. It is believed the Incas watched the sun and stars here but unfortunately the Spanish destroyed much of the site searching for gold. Finally the third site is the Bano del Inca where visitors will find a small museum dedicated to finds in the area. Behind the museum is a little spring said to have mystical powers.

Just outside La Paz visitors to the area can find Tihuanaco ruins where there are several structures to be seen. One thing that stands out is the 2M deep stone walled structure with 175 heads engraved in the sides. Also the Kalassasaya Temple with its Puerto del Sol (Sun Gate) can be found alongside other stone figures. The Tihuanaco civilisation lasted from about 600BC to 1200 AD before fading into obscurity.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/top-historical-places-to-visit-in-bolivia-1032134.html

If you are interesting in learning more about Bolivia’s Historical, Traditional, Exotic locations & Expat living please visit my website http://boliviangringo.com

The first article is about Madrid, I think that Madrid is a must if you visit Spain, I found this great article about 10 things to see when you visit Madrid that I consider would be a good article to share with everybody.

10 Things to See in Madrid
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