南美之行2015

poker007

顶。。。

楼主继续哈。。。

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INCA TRAIL:  ENIGMA ADVENTURES

Day 1.  15km (2600M to 3750M) to Llulluchapampa
After a few hours of sleep, the tour bus came to pick us up at the hotel in Cusco Peru at 4am.  3-½ hrs later, we were near the trailhead.  A quick breakfast was served.
We are a small group of 8 that started at Trailhead at 8am.  .  The start was nice and flat.  Then the trail was on a steady incline.  I enjoyed of the brakes that the guide gave us.  Unfortunately at lunchtime at Wayllabamba, two of the hikers decide to not continue because they had altitude sickness.  They did not give themselves enough time to adjust.  
Then there were 6.  Most of the hikers had a hard time getting use to the altitude.  The hike was peaceful.  The weather was mostly overcast which I enjoy.  Because we had an early start, we had the trail to ourselves.  Aside from some horse running freely, some local going down by horse to buy and sell supplies and of coarse, the porters passing us with heavy packs.  Eventual, we made it to camp where dinner was served after a short rest.

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INCA TRAIL Day 2.  13KM (3750M to 4200M to 3500M) Camp Chakiqocha

Today is the toughest day.  Dead woman’s pass at 4200 is a challenge to one’s will.  The hike up was breathtaking, literally.  Just remember to breath deeply and keep putting one foot in front of the other.  After a night of rain, the hike down is not so easy as well.  The Inca stone trail just seems to continue on and on.
It was great to have the support of the new friends to keep the strong spirit alive. Passed the halfway point now, I guess we will all make it to Machu Picchu.

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Inca Trail Day 3.  9KM (3500M to 2700M) Camp Winay Wayna

This morning, we woke up to a beautiful view.  The fresh air is cold but so rewarding.  This day we visited Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Winay Wayna.  Winay Wayna is certainly the most peaceful and restful spot.  All to ourselves for over an hour to just enjoy the rewards of the hike.  Only the rolling thunder and the threat of heavy rain encourage us to head back to the tent.

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Inca Trail

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Inca Trail

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Inca Trail Day 4.  4KM (2700M to 2400M) Machu Picchu

To get to the control point early (2 min away), we woke up at 2:45AM.  Our guide recommended that we should get to the control point early so we could be more comfortable under cover if it rained.  Luckily, we were first and had two hours to rest.  At 5:30, the race was on to get to sun gate.  Some hikers were actually running.  Not recommended!  Our group hiked at a good pace and got to Sun Gate by 6:20am.  At first it was clouded over but the wind blown the clouded away and we had a clear view of Machu Picchu.  Wow we were almost there: Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu.

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Machu Picchu

As we descended, the cloud cleared, the sun rose and lamas got in our way.  Our guide gave us a complete tour of Machu Picchu as we marveled at all the impressive structures.   So I must say, hiking the Inca Trail is well worth the effort.

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Day 5.  Wayna Picchu 10:00AM
Bonus challenge.  After a good night rest and feasting at Agua Calientes, We were back at Machu Picchu to climb Wayne Picchu.  The hike was tough, as the trail got narrow in certain area.  Near the top it got tricky with the amount of hiker going down.  But the view at the top was magnification.   You could see the Enormity of Machu Picchu from the sun gate to Urubamba River to the road that lead up to Machu Picchu.  Afterwards, we took the time to soak up the wonders of Machu Picchu before taking the train back to Cusco.

马赛克

好几天没来，刚刚发现这个帖，先顶再看。

:lm:  :hx:  :pics:  :aa51:

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Uyuni to Tupiza

The 5 hrs off road ride in the 4x4 was exciting and dusty.  Landscape is beautiful.  Much like the landscape of the Grand Circle in Utah. Arizona.

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Bolivia:  La Torre Tour 4D/3N
So the tour starts with 7 in a Toyota Highlander.  A family of three that included the driver/tour guide and cook/wife and a 2-year-old boy/entertainer took care of us during the tour.  Guest also included a couple from England.  Luckily they spoke Spanish, as the guide did not speak english.  

Day 1.  Tupiza 2950M to Quetena Chico 4150M
This day involved lots of driving over bumpy dirt road.  The dust would always make its way into the car one way or another.  Lunch was an intimate affair in a small mud house own by relatives of the tour guide.  Next was Pueblo Fantasma a Ghost Mining Town that housed as many as 1200 people mining for gold and silver.  A short drive later, we were at an elevation of 4855M that provide a 360’ vista.  That sunset that evening was glories.
We were warned about the cold nights for the tour but was surprise when we stepped foot into a green house like complex.  So Nice.

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Day 2.  To Huaylla Jara
A short walk in the morning allowed us to see a strange sight:  kids on motorcycle herding pigs.  Sure looks like fun.
After an hour drive, we came upon an enclosed area where two hundred llamas were held.   The llamas have color fabrics on their ear to id who owns them. Then we saw 10 locals at work sheering the furs.  We were lucky to witness this in a beautiful setting.  This day was full of Lagunas, flamingos, picturque desert mountains, and geisers.  The highlight was the hot spring, so relaxing.

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Day 3. To Chuvica
Being inside the National Flamingo reserve was like being in unexplored land.  Our driver does not use GPS.  I have no idea how he gets around with no signs, no lights, and just tire tracks to follow.
I just coud not get enough of the flamingos.  So magical in flight!

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Day 3 con't

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Day 4  Chuvica salt hotel to Salar de Uyuni to Uyuni
5AM
Arrive near Isla of Incahuasi at sunrise; we stop to enjoy the famous salt flats.  The sunlight made the salt glow vibrantly.   The cactus on the Island was big and the needles are sharp.  Another amazing site.  2/3 of the world’s lithium lies just beneath the salt flats.  The salt flats itself in less than a foot thick.  Another must do!

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Salar De Uyuni

Dada

好片片！

这个特别！没去可惜了 :cry:

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Torres del Paine National Park, Argentina

Info

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Day 1. Patagonia ”W trail” East to West

7AM.  Caught the bus from Puerto Natalie to Las Torres Hotel.
11:00AM A short visit to the general store to stock up.  A Chimago Caracara (falcon) came to wish us well.  We talk to some hiker who had just finished and got some tips and they even gave us an extra tank of gas.  Unfortunate for them, it rained heavily the day before.  But today is as beautiful as can be.
5KM of trail lay in front of us until we get to Camp Chileno.  After the Inca trail, this was easy.  We did not have to worry about water, food or altitude.  Two hours later, we were at camp when we had rented tent and tent site.  So glad that we did not have to setup our own tent on wet grounds.  After some rest and food, we hike up to Torres del Paine, about 4 KM away.   The last km was a well used but rocky trail.  Silhouetted on one side, the mirador Torres (viewpoint) was surprisingly beautiful.  The Glacier Torres was lit by the warm evening sun.  Being in the shade, it was cold and windy.