South America Christmas 2021 Colombia & Peru
We had an incredible 2 week trip over Christmas and New Year’s that started in Colombia and finished off in Peru. Street art in Medellín, climbing El Peñol, boat days in Cartagena, the Sacred Valley and of course Machu Picchu!
Colombia 🇨🇴
Medellín: Comuna 13 & the Cable Cars
We kicked things off in Medellín the day after Christmas. We rode the Metrocable up over the city, stopped at the Yo ❤️ Medellín sign and then spent the afternoon in Comuna 13 with its amazing street art, outdoor escalators and huge crowds. Street snacks, waffles and a little sangria to finish the day.
Guatapé & Climbing El Peñol
Day trip to Guatapé! The girls counted their way up the 740 steps of El Peñol and made it all the way to the top. The views over the lakes and islands were unreal. Afterwards we wandered the colorful streets under the umbrellas, and back in Medellín we had pasta tossed right inside a giant wheel of parmesan.
Hello, Cartagena!
Next stop Cartagena. First up was the hotel pool and the waterslide, then out to the old city at night for dinner and photos on the giant yellow couches.
Boat Day to the Islands
Probably the girls’ favorite day of the trip. We took a speedboat out past the Bocagrande skyline to the islands, swam in crystal clear water and stopped at the beach for ceviche and a cold Aguila.
Castillo San Felipe & the Walled City
We explored Castillo San Felipe with all its cannons, tunnels and lookouts, then walked the walled city checking out the beautiful old colonial doors and finished with sweets at night.
Peru 🇵🇪
New Year’s Eve in Lima & Into the Sacred Valley
We flew to Lima for New Year’s Eve and then headed up into the Andes to the Sacred Valley. Our hotel had huge lawns with mountain views, fresh corn, llamas and horses.
Horseback Riding & the Maras Salt Mines
A horseback ride through the valley and then the Maras salt mines, thousands of salt pools stacked on the side of a mountain. The afternoon was spent exploring the farm and warming up by the fire.
Weaving Village & the Waterfall Hike
We visited a weaving village where the girls got dressed up in traditional clothes, then hiked past Inca terraces to a huge waterfall with a picnic lunch along the way.
Machu Picchu!
The big day! We took the train to Aguas Calientes and went up to Machu Picchu. Clouds rolling over Huayna Picchu, llamas everywhere and the girls taking their own pictures with the big camera.
Back Up the Mountain at Machu Picchu
We went back up for a second day and climbed the mountain trails for views straight down onto the ruins. The rain and clouds rolled in on the way down, ponchos on!
Aguas Calientes
Lunch with a view over the river, and yes, I tried the cuy (guinea pig)!
Cusco
Last stop Cusco: big breakfasts, the Plaza de Armas and the steep cobblestone streets.
Last Night in Lima
One last night in Lima with dinner overlooking the ruins at Huaca Pucllana and a walk through the Magic Water Circuit fountains.
