On May 1, 2024, a group from Williams Lake set off on an unforgettable journey to Peru and Bolivia, completely unaware of how transformative this experience would be.
Our adventure began in Lima, Peru, where we explored a local market to gather ingredients for our morning cooking class. We discovered that Peru boasts over 4,000 varieties of potatoes and more than 1,000 types of bananas. While preparing our lunch, we enjoyed homemade Pisco Sours, the national drink. After savouring our meal, including freshly made doughnuts, we took a guided stroll through Lima’s cultural centre, learning about the city’s rich history.
Next, we flew north along the Amazon River and its tributaries to Iquitos, where we boarded a small boat to a beautiful lodge right on the Amazon. A night walk through the jungle revealed giant tarantulas, bullfrogs, poisonous caterpillars and other nocturnal creatures. The jungle was alive with sounds as animals foraged for food. We then took a traditional longboat to visit a Yagua Indigenous village, where I was surprised to have a baby sloth placed in my arms. The village had rescued this adorable creature, and it was so snuggly. We watched a blowgun demonstration by village elders, showcasing a traditional hunting technique. Fishing for piranhas, spotting pink dolphins and birdwatching at sunrise were just a few highlights of our time in the Amazon. I could hardly believe I was there.
We then flew to Cusco, situated high in the Andes at over 11,000 feet. It took a while to acclimate to the altitude, so we moved a bit slower. We explored the Sacsayhuaman Incan ruins, marvelling at the massive stones that have stood the test of time without mortar. A visit to a chocolate museum allowed us to learn about the chocolate-making process—and of course, sample various types. Although Peru exports its cocoa beans to Belgium and other countries, we enjoyed some local crafts during our shopping spree.
From there, we headed to the Sacred Valley, where we met Quechua women who taught us about traditional weaving, spinning and dyeing techniques using alpaca and sheep yarn. Some of us purchased their beautiful textiles. We also visited the Ollantaytambo ruins, an impressive Inca fortress with grand terraces on a hillside. The stunning views and clean air were refreshing, even if the hike was challenging at such a high altitude.
A major highlight was visiting Misminay village, where we were welcomed with music from the community. We enjoyed a delicious lunch made from local produce and learned about their daily activities and traditional agricultural and weaving practices. We even got to wear traditional clothing and dance along with the villagers, sharing laughter and stories.
While driving by a local market, we decided to stop and explore. What a spectacle. We saw an array of animals for sale, from baby ducks to guinea pigs, alongside mountains of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats and local sweets. Sometimes the most memorable experiences are the unexpected ones.
Our journey continued with a scenic train ride filled with entertainment as we headed to Machu Picchu, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Lost City of the Incas. The site was breathtaking, and our guide brought its history to life. A few of us even returned the next morning to hike to the Sun Gate and ascend Huayna Picchu Mountain for even more stunning views.
Next, we visited Lake Titicaca and met a family living on one of the floating islands made from reeds. This unique experience taught us about their lifestyle, and a ride on their reed boats made it even more special.
Crossing into Bolivia was seamless, and our new tour director, Hector, took us to Copacabana on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca. We explored more Incan ruins and enjoyed a delicious lunch with a local family while learning about their culture.
We then arrived in La Paz, the highest capital city in the world, where we spent a night before flying south to Uyuni to witness the breathtaking Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flats on the planet. The vast expanse of white salt, remnants of a prehistoric lake, stretched for over 11,000 square kilometres. Driving across the salt flats felt like gliding over a frozen lake. Our drivers set up a beautiful lunch for us, complete with white linens and delicious food—definitely an experience to cherish.
Finally, we spent a day exploring La Paz, riding the city’s 10 gondola lines that offer spectacular views.
As we prepared to fly home, we packed our bags filled with incredible memories from this amazing trip.
“Visiting Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for years, and it certainly lived up to my expectations," said Patricia Barron, a member of the group. "The challenge of hiking at high elevation was rewarding, and the views were stunning with perfect weather. I had no preconceived notions about Bolivia, but I was pleasantly surprised by the hidden gem of the salt flats. The endless white landscape felt like a frozen lake, and our salt hotel was a unique experience.”
For Susan Kurkiniemi Machu Picchu and the Salt Flats in Bolivia were the trip’s highlights.
"Wandering the historic site of the Inca civilization was awe-inspiring, and the jeep ride on the salt flats with a gourmet lunch was unforgettable," she said. "The sunset over the salt flats, with its mirror-like reflections, will forever be etched in my memory. The Amazon experience was also incredible, from bird watching to seeing pink dolphins, and holding a sloth was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I loved immersing myself in the cultures of both countries, and riding the aerial cable cars in La Paz was thrilling.”
Her husband Risto Kurkiniemi added the challenging location and incredible construction of Machu Picchu left a lasting impression.
"The sheer size of the salt flats in Bolivia, visible from space, was astounding," he said.
Sharon Smith is a former teacher from Williams Lake who organized Educational Tours for students for many years and when she retired she started to organize tours for adults. She has done tours to many countries and has trips to Iceland, France, and Ireland coming up. Contact Sharon if you are interested in hearing about her upcoming tours…sharonsmithseven@gmail.com
