The Birds-Eye View: Peru is a Birdwatcher’s Paradise
STORY BY CARLA BRAGAGNINI FEATURE PHOTO: Alfonso Zavala/PromPeru) When I was young, some Canadian friends visited our home in Lima after a cruise trip to the Galapagos Islands. During our outdoor lunch, they spotted it on a branch – an unseen bird from their Galapagos birdwatching checklist. They ran toward the red-breasted bird with notebooks […]
Peru’s Pacific Coast Desert Thrills with History and Adventure
Peru’s Pacific Coast has the biggest cities and tallest waves in South America! Story by Carla Bragagnini Feature Photo: The Ballestas Islands (Manuel Medir/PromPeru) Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains is coastal Peru, a spectacular region that spans approximately 3,000 kilometres. Relatively flat compared to the rest of the country, with elevations […]
Ancient Lima: A Place Where Human Civilization Began
Unbeknownst to most travellers to Lima, the modern metropolis brims with an ancient past and a vibrant history. Story by Carla Bragagnini, Photos by Outpost In the historic colonial center of Lima, Peru, Spanish conquistador/conqueror Francisco Pizarro built—unfortunately—the Government Palace (or Presidential Palace, where he lived, and where Peru’s current president lives) atop pre-Incan structures. The Spanish actually did […]
The Lares Route to Machu Picchu: How We Trekked Weavers’ Way
Story and Photos by Desiree Anstey Children flash snow-capped teeth upon our arrival and come running to see what we bring. It’s one of the most isolated indigenous communities in Peru, which only sees a trickle of tourists pass through its meadows guarded by remote mist-veiled mountains. It’s still dark when we leave the unnerving mess […]
The Amazon Basin of Peru: Is This the Most Spectacular Place on the Planet?!
The Amazon Basin is, quite possibly, the most spectacular place on the planet. Story and Photos by Carla Bragagnini The Amazon is the world’s most biodiverse forest and the richest ecosystem on the planet. Though it spreads through many Latin American countries, it’s largely based in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil and of course Peru, […]
Yes, I’m from Peru! By Carla Bragagnini
When people learn I’m from Peru, their eyes light up. They seem to scroll a list of questions in their heads, but always start with the same. “Have you ever been to Machu Picchu?” they ask excitedly. “Yes,” I get to answer proudly. “A few times.” By Carla Bragagnini It’s funny, but I understand people’s […]
Is Saddling Up in the Andes the World’s Best Adventure?!
Most people don’t know horses are not native to Peru — that’s probably because horseback riding in the Andes has got to be one of the world’s great adventures! By Carla Bragagnini Did you know that Peru is famous for its caballo de paso: a breed of horse with Spanish and Moorish royal lineage? Horses are, of […]
Peru’s Regional Dishes: the Coast, the Andes, the Amazon! (FOOD: Part 2)
It almost goes without saying that Peruvian cuisine is massively influenced by its three diverse geographies. On the Pacific Coast and in the Amazon Rainforest, it’s about fish. In the Andean highlands it’s about potatoes—lots and lots of creamy, yummy potatoes! Here’s part two of Carla Bragagnini’s snapshot on what to expect from food in Peru. Popular […]
The Series: In From the Outpost PERU, with Explorer Jeff Fuchs
In Peru, Jeff Fuchs led Team Outpost across the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and the Andean highlands of Tanta, and south to the communities of the Quechua people — pack-llamas in tow, tea at the ready. Here’s “In From the Outpost PERU with Jeff Fuchs.” EPISODE 1: The Salkantay Trek. “We tread upwards as wind […]