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John and Lynnette's fun trip

Central and South America Itinery

This page details our planned stops in Central and South America following our departure from the US.

MEXICO

MEXICO TIJUANA – boarder crossing – Make way by bus to ….. LOS MOCHIS – possible stopovers at Hermossillo Ciudad Obregon Start point for train to CHIHUAHUA through copper canyon with possible stopovers at Creel, Tarahumara, El Fuerte. CHIHUAHUA – major city with many places of historical interest. ZACATECAS – silver town, ‘whole town a museum !’ MEXICO CITY VERACRUZ – strong Cuban influence San Juan de Ulua castle – last fortress of Spanish empire. Downtown to watch street dancers YUCATAN PENINSULAR – ancient mayan cultural area Meridic Izamal Cancun

EQUADOR

EQUADOR Fly into: QUITO STAY – old town – at least week to ten days ? Secret garden or Hotel san Francisco de Quito Acclimatise for couple days To do Monastery of Santa Catalina – fully functioning convent and monastery Teleferiqo – sky tram to top of Cruz Loma – then trek to summit of rucu Pichincha. (busy at weekends) El Panecillo – major landmark in Quito Plaza & monastery of San Francisco – city’s largest colonial building and oldest church – one of Quito’s most marvellous sights both inside and out. Museo Amazonico – indigenous cultures of the Amazon region Mitad del Mundo – middle of the world Refugio de Vida Silvestre – small but good wildlife reserve – undisturbed humid Andean forest. BUS TO LATACUNGA Starting point for the Quilotoa loop – highland markets, breathtaking crater lake of Laguna Quilota, splendid hikes and traditional highland villages. Allow at least 3 days – warm clothes!!!!! BUS TO Banos Thermal bathrooms, waterfall, volcan Tungurahua – last active in 2006 causing partial evacuation of the area. BUS TO RIOBAMBA Deemed to be the sultan of the Andes – starting point for the train ride down the NARIZ DEL DIABLO. Wed, Fri. or Sunday at 7am, best to buy tickets day before. Return on the train as far as ALAUSI. BUS TO CUENCA Equadors third largest city. Ingapirca – most important Inca site in equador. BUS TO LOJA Zamora - Jungle town base for exploring lowland sector of Parque Nacional Podocarpus – highland sector 10 km south of Loja. Vilcabamba – deemed the valley of longevity. Good chill out place – need cash – no banks Macara – boarder crossing into Peru – ticket to Piura bout 8 hours from Loja

PERU

PERU Piura – overnight stay – transportation hub BUS TO CHICLAYO 2 hours Alternative to above or further overnight – Bounty of archaeology sites nearby. Also Mercado Modelo which houses a superstore or shamanistic herbs and curiosities etc. And nearby coastal beaches. BUS TO TRUIJILLO 3 hours Major city. Approx week stay between city and beach village of Huanchao Chan Chan – built around AD1300, site once formed the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas and the largest abode city in the world. Chimu Culture conquered by Inca’s c.1460. La Huaca Esmeralda – Chimu temple ruins La Huaca Arco Iris – Chimu Rainbow temple – also small museum – guides available for a tip. Las Huacas del sol y de la Luna – oche temples – 700 years older the Chimu temples. Huanchaco – alternative base for exploring Trujillo area. Famous for cigar shaped totora boats, fishermen paddle beyond breakers and surf back to the beach - $1.50 will get you a ride!! Surf boards and wet suits available to rent. BUS TO HURAZ 9 to 10 hours Huraz – nerve centre of one of South America’s premier trekking areas. Best treks around Cordilla Blanca – all equipment, help, guides and pack animals can be hired for $30-50 per person per day. Parque Nacional Huascaran – Jaw dropping scenery, popular trekking area including four day trek Santa Cruz. Monterrey – hot springs Chancos – hot springs and natural sauna Carhuaz – 35km north of Huraz has colourful Sunday market and its wild festival of La Virgen de La Merced is celebrated for 10 days mid September with processions, fireworks, dancing, bullfighting and plenty of drinking!!!!!!!!! BUS TO LIMA – 7 to 8 hours Monasterio de San Francisco – famous for its catacombs and library. Huaca Huallamarca – Maranga abode Pyramide c.AD500 Huaca Pucllana – abode pyramid c.AD400 Paragliding – cliffs at Miraflores. BUS TO PISCO – 4 hours Islas Ballestas – poor mans Galapagos – sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingos, dolphins, pelicans and others. BUS TO NAZCA – 3 hours Nazca lines – UNESCO world heritage site. BUS TO AREQUIPA – 10 hours 2nd largest city in Peru. Musro Santury exhibits Juanita the Ice Princess Monasterio Santa Catalina – multilingual guides available for tip ($3-5) Museo de Arte Virreinal de Santa Teresa – famed for its painted walls and priceless votive objects. BUS TO PUNO – 6 hours Small port – best departure point for Lake Titicaca’s islands Yavari – oldest boat on lake – made in UK and launched 1870. Island hopping tours over rated, best done DIY with help of local guide. ISLAS FLOTANTES – floating islands built using layers of buoyant totora reeds. 2 hour tours ($3) leave from dock from 7am when boat full. ISLA TAQUILE – inhabited for 1000’s of years – home stays can be arranged – islanders benefit more from travellers who go independently. ISLA AMANTANI – less frequently visited, several hills topped with ruins – trips usually include an overnight stay. BUS TO CUZCO – 7 hours 10 day tourist ticket needed for many sites around Cuzco $21 – city includes many tourist attractions including Inca walls around the city Qorikancha – in Inca times was covered in gold. Bus bound for Pisac – get off at Tambomachay – 8km back to Cuzco – go in group – back before night. Tambomachay – ceremonial bath Pukukara – red fort Q’enqo – sacrifice alter, caves and carvings Saqsaywaman – 2km from Cuzco SACRED VALLEY PISAC – Inca citadel – lies high above the village – 4km footpath URUMAMBA – Village of Tarabama nearby to visit Salinas thought to be Inca agricultural labatory. OLLANTAYTAMBO – best surviving example of Inca city planning. AGUAS CALIENTES – overpriced but handy for early start for main Inca site. MACHU PICCHU the lost Inca city. BUS TO HUANCAYO – 8 hours Love it or hate it!!!!!!!!! Chaotic and challenging also trekking, biking and jungle exploration Many festivals held in the area. BUS TO LIMA – 7 hours

John&Lynnette	Latest page update: made by John&Lynnette , May 25 2008, 12:42 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Lynnette insisted! - John&Lynnette No content added or deleted. - complete history)
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