The Very Best Homestay Tours in Colca Canyon
Why are homestay tours in Colca Canyon so special? You've probably heard about Peru's famous Colca Canyon. After all, it is the second deepest canyon in the world. But, what you might not know is that the Colca Canyon is more than just a great place to experience incredible natural wonders. Yes, it's got giant condors, majestic volcanoes, hot springs and trekking adventures. However, if you take the time to look a little deeper, you will find a region that is also rich in history and tradition. The Collagua people of the Colca Valley have a culture that...
Why You Should Trek Peru’s Colca Canyon
If you love hiking and exploring, then a Colca Canyon trek in Peru provides the ultimate nature lover’s adventure. The Colca Canyon is one of Peru’s many drawcards, with its giant condors, majestic volcanoes, hot springs, historic churches and traditional Andean communities. The region is obviously overshadowed by Machu Picchu, but still provides some of the best trekking in the country. [caption id="attachment_12105" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Peru's Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.[/caption] Most noteworthy, at 3270 metres (10,725 feet), this Peruvian wonder is the second deepest canyon in the world,...
Bolivia Travel Guide – 10 Reasons To Visit
Welcome to our Bolivia travel guide and discover the cultural diversity and astonishing natural beauty of Bolivia. Once the hidden secret of backpackers and explorers this intriguing country is now opening up to all kinds of travellers. In fact, visitor numbers are increasing all the time. There is a wealth of stunning natural terrain in Bolivia. From the high plains of the altiplano and snow-capped mountains to otherworldly salt flats and dense tropical rainforest. While also offering up bustling cosmopolitan cities, fascinating markets, colourful carnivals and unique local cuisine. Bolivia boasts one of the...
Visit Patagonia – Ultimate Travel Guide
Welcome to our Patagonia Travel Guide. Visit Patagonia with us and discover why this beguiling place on earth should find a spot on your travel bucket list. Patagonia is a land that offers unforgettable and unique experiences. So, it is a source of inspiration for writers, explorers and scientists alike. Visit Patagonia to feel the mystic power of nature. Experience the end-of-the-world feeling that pervades its untamed wilderness and the many villages and towns. Finally, travel slowly through this magical land and prepare to be astonished by Mother Nature on an...
Ultimate San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide in Chile
Welcome to our San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide, to make the most of your trip to this truly breathtaking array of natural wonders. From the magic of stargazing in pristine skies, to mesmerising views of salt flats scattered with flamingos, to the turquoise of the Lagunas Altiplánicas, there are so many trips to capture the imagination in the Atacama Desert. Plan your stay in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. The perfect base for exploring the enchanting landscapes of the surrounding desert that this San Pedro de Atacama Travel Guide...
Ultimate La Paz Travel Guide in Bolivia
Welcome to our La Paz travel guide, for all you need to know about of Latin America's most exciting and colourful capitals. La Paz is an absolute must-see place when visiting Bolivia. It is a city packed full of history and culture, where this diverse country collides in a captivating sprawl. The city lies in a canyon and surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Altiplano. La Paz is gifted with stunning mountain vistas in all directions. It therefore has the perfect blend of city vitality and natural beauty. This La Paz travel guide will give you...
Cooking Class in Cusco: A Culinary Experience
If you consider yourself a foodie with an appetite for Peruvian cuisine, then a cooking class in Cusco will surely satisfy your hunger. If you'd like to learn about local Peruvian produce before preparing and cooking your own traditional dishes in a beautiful rooftop kitchen, then this is one Cusco attraction you won't want to miss. Hear the sizzling of frying pans and smell the mouthwatering aromas of onion, garlic and mushrooms. Taste delicately cured trout and let the sweet and milky chirimoya fruit melt in your mouth. Sip a classic Peruvian cocktail on a...
10 Reasons to Visit Colombia: Our Colombia Travel Guide
Welcome to our Colombia travel guide, where you will discover 10 great reasons to visit this vibrant and beautiful country. Colombia is currently having its moment in the sun. Gone are the days when this South American country was off-limits to foreigners because it was wrought with violent crime and drug cartels. The Colombia of today is a safe, affordable, diverse and fascinating place; its people as warm and inviting as the weather in the sweltering north. In fact, tourism in Colombia is experiencing phenomenal growth, with almost 250% more visitors compared with 10 years ago. The country was even...
Luxury Ecuador Cruise Train: Tren Crucero Gold Class
Step aboard Tren Crucero, the Ecuador Cruise Train, and you will discover exactly why it is considered one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. This luxury locomotive showcases the very best of Ecuador, from the dramatic Andean highlands to the tropical Pacific coast. Travelling between the historic capital of Quito and vibrant city of Guayaquil, you will experience utmost comfort and style aboard the Ecuador Cruise Train. Not to mention spectacular, jaw-dropping scenery at every turn. However, what really sets Tren Crucero's Gold Class experience apart is its opulent accommodation that leads you on a journey through...
Top 10 Great Things to Do in Arequipa
In this Arequipa Travel Guide, you will discover all the wonder that awaits you with travel to Arequipa, the nearby Colca Valley and Peru's Colca Canyon. From the culinary magic of picanterias, to the crisp beauty of the sillar built White City, to the awe-inspiring view of the Andean Condors, trips in Arequipa offer a wealth to see and do. Plan time for a stay in the charming Colca Valley and add a Colca Canyon tour to your itinerary to fully experience all that this Arequipa Travel Guide offers. 1) Delight in the delicious Arequipeña cuisine Travel to...
10 reasons to start planning your next Ecuador vacation
Need an excuse to start planning your Ecuador vacation? Well, sit back, relax and read on, because we've got plenty ideas for your Ecuador vacation. Ecuador is a country of stunning landscapes, rich history and fascinating culture. For once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it’s got the Galapagos, the Amazon and the Andes. There are active volcanoes, colonial towns, colorful markets and spectacular cross-country rail journeys. Ecuador is a wildlife lover’s dream, a hiker’s paradise and an adrenaline junkie’s playground. Now that we've got your attention, here are 10 great reasons for you to start planning your Ecuador vacation today. 1) Be amazed by the beauty of...
Virgen del Carmen Festival in Paucartambo
Immerse yourself in the true local culture and vibrancy of Peru by attending the Virgen del Carmen Festival in Paucartambo. This unique festival, also known as the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen, features dances of cultural, historical and religious significance. It is also a sensationally raucous party in the streets of Puacartambo. Costumed and masked characters run riot, local beer flows, brass bands perform and fireworks light up the night. It is a dazzling extravaganza; a true feast for the senses. What to expect The Virgen del Carmen Festival is held on July 15-18 every...
Ultimate Puno – Lake Titicaca Travel Guide 2017-2018
Make the most of your Lake Titicaca travel experience with our Ultimate Puno - Lake Titicaca Travel Guide. Why is Puno special? Because of its location on Lake Titicaca, travelers flock to the region of Puno throughout the year. Once there, they discover all that Puno offers, including hikes to heights displaying multi-colored sunsets and moonrises across a wide horizon spanning mountain ranges and countries. There are cultural experiences immersed in authentically preserved communities thriving on what land and lake make available to them. There is lively shopping in vibrant mercados supporting local artisans and producers,...
Living Like a Local – The Ultimate Cusco Travel Guide
Welcome to the Ultimate Cusco Travel Guide Introducing our 2017 edition of the Ultimate Cusco Travel Guide. If you are heading to Machu Picchu, chances are you are flying into the beautiful city of Cusco - formerly an Inca capital now turned tourist mecca. Furthermore, what many people don't realise is if you aren't spending a lot of time here, you could miss out on some seriously amazing experiences that really embody the heart and soul of Peru. With its (seemingly) never-ending festivals, bright colours, amazing food, cute cobbled streets and locals selling their beautiful...
Vegan and vegetarian food in Peru: Our ultimate survival guide for foodies
When most people think of vegetarian food in Peru, quality and diversity aren't usually the first things that come to mind. But, seriously though, in 2017 this couldn't be further from the truth. [caption id="attachment_11072" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Peruvian fried rice and dumplings from Green Point in Cusco.[/caption] Vegan and vegetarian food in Peru, especially in Cusco, is big business. Not only that but the quality, freshness and high standard is enough to turn the most hardcore of meat lovers. [caption id="attachment_11066" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Korma filled calzone with avocado and beetroot salad at Green Point, Cusco.[/caption] More...
10 Good Reasons Why You Should Visit Northwest Argentina
Visit Northwest Argentina With dusty desert towns, tiny vineyards and even its own cowboys, visit Northwest Argentina and you'll feel like you've landed in another era. It is said the American Wild West never died, just moved to Northwest Argentina . You’ll find splashes of colour in this desert region, such as the cliffs of the Quebrada de Humahuaca painted with the colours of the rainbow. In addition, the vivid reds of the Cafayate will transport you to another world. Furthermore, the legacy of the Inca Empire is evident in the music, the food and...
Peruvian Cuisine – Embracing the flavours of Peru
Peruvian cuisine is as fun, colourful and vibrant as the rainbow flag of Cusco. With national dishes ranging from cuy al palo (guinea pig roasted over a spit) to the delicious alpaca lomo saltado, Peruvian Cuisine is not only gaining a reputation for incredible quality, but also for its flair and unrivalled freshness. However, with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Peru food tours are becoming more and more popular every year with increasing numbers of options for tourists to engage in cooking classes, pisco...
Luxury Peru Train Vacations: Onboard the Belmond Andean Explorer
Taking a journey on the Belmond Andean Explorer is by far one of the most beautiful travel trips you could choose to experience. This luxury train is perfect to show off the incredible colours of Peru, to take in sacred sites such as Lake Titicaca, and to holiday in style. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhwp1trE6p4[/embed] The Belmond Andean Explorer: South America's first sleeper train There are many different options for train travel in Peru, yet there nothing is quite like the luxury of the Belmond Andean Explorer. With spacious cabins, decadent furnishings, a piano bar, library and observation carriages (plus delicious...
Inti Raymi Festival: A Guide to the Inca Festival of the Sun in Cusco
What better time to visit Cusco, the ancient heart of the Inca Empire, than during the Inti Raymi festival? Inti Raymi festival, the Inca 'festival of the sun' is celebrated during the winter solstice (24th June) and is one of the biggest festivals in South America. Surely it is also the grandest, most colourful celebration of Inca culture that exists in modern times. As early as two weeks before festival day, the city comes alive with excitement. Groups of dancers and musicians perform traditional Andean music in the main square and parade through Cusco’s...
Choquequirao Trek – While It’s Still Pristine
Introduction to a Choquequirao Trek There is another way to travel. It involves throwing the guidebook away. Listen to what every tourist is saying, and then ignore it. You see, the professional tourists that regurgitate the guidebooks find a place they like, write about it in said guidebook, sell millions of copies, and the people who read the guidebooks go to the places that the professional tourists write about. So far, so straight forward. But, of course, this upsurge in tourism fundamentally alters the nature of the location. Naturally, one example would be Machu Picchu. And conversely I am...
Uyuni Salt Flats: Your Essential Guide
Welcome to everything you need to know about the Uyuni salt flats. The Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia is such a surreal and unique place that you would be forgiven for wondering whether you'd landed on a different planet. In the dry season, your world is divided into the perfect, dazzling white salt below and the perfect blue sky above. In the rainy season, these two halves combine as the film of water on the salt reflects the sky above and you watch fluffy white clouds scudding across the land. The glorious, bleak beauty...
Visit Rainbow Mountain, a truly magical place!
Are you planning to visit Rainbow Mountain? If you go 100km from Cusco in any direction, you are liable to find yourself on or near a mountain. This is because Cusco is situated in the Andes mountain range. There are hundreds of mountains in the Andes mountain range above 4000m. If you lowered that number, it would become thousands - thousands of mountains running through Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and even Venezuela. But visit Rainbow Mountain and ask yourself: how many of these other mountains are magical mountains painted with rainbows? The answer is...
Illegal Tourism Companies and Scams in Machu Picchu and Cusco
As a concerned traveller to Peru, you are probably asking yourself the question, Are there many scams in Machu Picchu? While a great number of tour companies operate out of Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, and tourists often fall victim to a variety of scams, there are certain precautions you can take to avoid such occurrences. Just by being aware of the issues, including what scams are out there, you will be better equipped to protect yourself from becoming an unwitting victim. Read on for more details about common scams in Machu Picchu and...
About Amazon Jungle – Tourism in the Amazon Rainforest
Which Is The Best Amazon Jungle Region To Visit In Peru? The Amazon jungle straddles a number of South American countries, and each would entreat you that their portion of the earth's lungs are the finest. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and it certainly likes to lay a claim to being the Amazon authority in the region. But the obvious choice is rarely the best choice. Colombia and Ecuador might like to dispute it, but it is Peru that offers the best Amazon jungle experience. The Peruvian Amazon extends along the...
The Inca Jungle Trail – A New Way to Visit Machu Picchu
Everything you need to know about the Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu Explore the fascinating landscapes of the Sacred Valley on the Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu. On this adventure, you will bike, hike, and zip line your way from the high mountains to the green valleys and jungle below. Follow ancient Incan paths, as you discover ruins and the colorful culture that surrounds Machu Picchu. This hike to Machu Picchu is an adventure you won’t soon forget! In this blog post we are going to: Introduce The Inca Jungle...
What To Know About The Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands tourism is big business. You see, there's nowhere on earth like the Galapagos Islands. The world has got many remarkable cities, beautiful mountains and so much jungle and rainforest that it provides the whole planet with oxygen. There are nice beaches, beautiful countryside, wild Serengeti. But there's nowhere like the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands tourism industry is geared up for would-be naturists, explorers and adventurers to come and discover what there is to see. Here, at the confluence of three oceanic currents, 1000 kilometres (600 miles) from continental civilisation, sit an island range...
Machu Picchu Information: Everything there is to know about the magic mountain
When visiting Peru, it's likely you will be overloaded with all kinds of Machu Picchu information. Find out more about this mysterious world heritage site, Machu Picchu, which means 'old peak' in Quechua in this detailed blog post. All you need to know about Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Located in the sacred valley close to Cusco, in this blog we will give you all the Machu Picchu information you need. We will share with you all kinds of Machu Picchu information about the site itself, as well as the various Machu Picchu tours. In this...
Ecotourism in the Amazon – Learn, Relax, Discover
Ecotourism in the Amazon is thriving and offers lots of possibilities for adventure. Explore the depths of this wild ecosystem while supporting Amazon preservation and the local communities. Observe wildlife and explore the jungle with expert scientists conducting groundbreaking research in the field. Furthermore, take part in excursions that will teach you all about the plants and animals in this immaculate area. These fabulous 'ecotourism in the Amazon' experiences are possible due to our partners, Rainforest Expeditions. Rainforest Expeditions Research Rainforest Expeditions is an ecotourism group dedicated to sustaining the Amazon. Hence the group...
Choco Lovers Unite: A Trip To Cusco’s Chocolate Museum (ChocoMuseo)
A trip to Cusco's Chocolate Museum is a delight for any fan of the humble cacao bean. Cusco's Chocolate Museum is the unofficial home of the cocoa bean. Whether you prefer cocoa in a drink, in chocolate or in your hair or make-up products, it is astounding how versatile this tiny bean can be. Cusco's Chocolate Museum provides you with an opportunity to unite friends and family. Come together and share your love of all things sweet. This sugary paradise is tucked away on the corner of Plaza Regocijo, just two blocks from Plaza De Armas. A...
A behind the scenes look at Peruvian textile weaving
The people of the Peruvian Andes maintain their traditions in a way that much of the world has failed to. Tremendous changes have come to Peru since Spanish conquest and the ever-present globalization, but you will find some parts of Andean life unchanged. For nearly 10,000 years, communities have been producing Peruvian textiles, and the skill runs deep to the modern day. Just outside of Pisaq in the Amaru village, the carefully woven hats and ornate garments are the daily ware. On our recent community based tourism excursion to the Sacred Valley, first thing...
Pachamanca, A Dining Experience In Peru Unlike Any Other
You may have plucked up the courage to try cuy or sink your teeth into an alpaca steak, but if you haven't tried a 'pachamanca' you are missing out. This ancient Inca ritual is one not many tourists know of, and yet we consider it to be one of the best culinary experiences you can have in your life. In Peru, adventurous eaters have the opportunity to enjoy some of the world's most unique dining. You just need to know what is on offer. From the world famous raw fish ceviche to the oriental fusion of lomo saltado, Peru...
Mastering Macchu Picchu: The essential Inca Trail packing list
If you are serious about mastering the infamous Machu Picchu Inca Trail trek undoubtedly your first priority needs to be your Inca Trail packing list. Yes, we know you may spend your whole life building up to see this natural wonder of the world...
And when do YOU go on your South America trip?
5 Incredible South American Trips in 2017 There are some vacations that will stay with you forever and in our South American trips, you will find some of the most incredible and diverse experiences on earth. From tasting the flavors of the Andean highlands, to experiencing surreal desert landscapes in Northern Argentina or coming face-to-face with blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos, our South American trips offers are truly special. • Best trips in South America • Let experiential travel be one of your resolutions for 2017. At Pie Experiences, we understand that travel can only be made more memorable through authentic experiences. Hence, we have...
