We always feel a bit hesitant but excited before crossing the border into a new country. You have these pre-conceived ideas of what the country will be like and images in your head from photographs or descriptions from other travellers and blog posts. But now you are here, at the frontera.

Our original plan was to scope out the Colca Canyon before heading to the colonial town of Arequipa.  I’m going to be completely honest with you.  Don’t get me wrong, we enjoy dirt road driving.  But the drive from Cusco towards the Colca Canyon turnoff just felt like it took forever, so instead of making the turn we continued on towards Arequipa.  I think there is something about driving on freshly paved roads that alternate with dirt washboard… it tests your patience.  “All dirt or all paved!”

This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. One of the highlights of our trip. The most impressive ruins we’ve ever seen. The beauty and grandeur of the Inca people, set high atop a mountain and so remote you can only access it by train or by foot. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, formed by the Urubamba River, runs through the central Andes of Peru from Cusco to Machu Picchu.  It is comprised of numerous villages, colonial towns, markets, and archeological sites.  Many sets of Inca ruins (large and small) line the Valley, keeping tourists busy for days.

We started the road to Cusco, Peru by finally leaving the big city of Lima and heading to the Paracas National Reserve for some epic cliff-side ocean views and blue skies and wispy white clouds. Little Red never looked so good as far as we’re concerned!

After two weeks in the Cordillera Blanca we regretfully headed towards Lima. Regretfully, because we did quite a bit of hiking and exploring in the area, but it felt like we hadn’t even scratched the surface.

We decided to spend a couple of days in Huaraz stocking up on food and fast wifi, and attempting to decide whether or not to do the Santa Cruz Trek unguided.

Unfortunately Richard succumbed to the evils of altitude sickness on our first night at elevation. Poor guy spent several hours in the fetal position in our rooftop tent suffering from a cranium-splitting headache caused by the lack of oxygen at 12,500 feet.

We started our drive along the northern coast of Peru by descending from the mountains. The scenery changed dramatically.  Everything dried up.  Sand dunes appeared.  Our water jug deflated.  You know how it is with a drop in elevation and all that.  #science

Eventually the day had come for us to step into the unknown: Peru.

It was time to explore the art, food, museums, hats, parks and churches in Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca (pronounced “kwenka”) was the only location in Ecuador that we parked the truck and loaded our suitcases and toiletry belongings into a hostel room

It was time to explore the art, food, museums, hats, parks and churches in Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca (pronounced “kwenka”) was the only location in Ecuador that we parked the truck and loaded our suitcases and toiletry belongings into a hostel room.  We kept busy for about a week soaking up the sights, of which there were many.  It was a bit of a shock to be back in a modern city with cinemas and malls, and we definitely wandered around wide-eyed at all there was to offer.

I have to admit that for the first time on the road we actually started to feel homesick. What is this sorcery!?

Apparently Cotopaxi Volcano is not dormant…

After leaving Otavalo our next stop was Quito, Ecuador, but we couldn’t get there before stopping at The Equator!

Our overland adventure took us next to Chimborazo National Park, Ecuador. We actually first drove by Volcano Chimborazo while making our way from the Ecuadorian coast to Banos and just couldn’t believe the sheer size of it. I mean, this thing was MASSIVE.

After 10 days, we reluctantly left Finca Sommerwind and headed for our next destination: the market town of Otavalo.

We have been using our simple plywood platform and Rubbermaid totes for the last 10 months on the road.  This worked fine (for the $60 it costs us) most of the time, but sometimes it got totally out of control organization-wise and nothing was ever easy to access.

Our first South American border crossing experience was incredibly un-stressful. In fact, we weren’t 100% sure if we had completed all of the paper work after we obtained our Vehicle Import Permit and drove off into Ecuador. It felt like the Ikea television commercial where the woman has a cart full of cheap furniture and shouts, “Start the car!!! Start the car!!”

We rolled into Manizales hoping to set up camp at a popular coffee finca called La Hacienda Venecia.  The property was lovely.  A big hacienda with a wrap around deck, rolling grass fields, perfectly clean bathrooms complete with liquid soap and towels, library-themed rooms, and the most amazing kitchen complete with granite countertops.  Yes!  Unfortunately they did not want our sweaty, dust-covered, unkempt persons camping on their property.  Fair enough.