1988
Lima
Plaza de Armas
On the right, Lima Cathedral, originally finished in 1555, but destroyed many times; the current structure is a reproduction based on old plans.
Nazca
The Nazca Lines
What are the Nazca
Lines? No one really knows.
Theories include an astronomical calendar, ritual
walkways linking huacas or sites of ceremonial significance,
extraterrestrial landing sites, and so on.
Cemetery of Chauchilla
The dry desert climate can mummify flesh. Similar to the Atacama Desert in Chile.
Arequipa
Convent of Santa Catalina
Built in 1580 and enlarged in the 17th century, the convent
originally housed 450 nuns
who lived there for more than 400 hundred years, totally cut off from the
outside world.
Colca Canyon
View from Cruz del Cóndor
Purported to be the deepest canyon in the world. Andean Condors are sometimes seen here.
Cuzco and Machu Picchu
Plaza de Armas, Cuzco
Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire in the 12th Century.
On the Inca Trail
View of Rio Aobamba from the trail.
Machu Picchu
Discovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, the
history of Machu Picchu
is still unclear, but it is believed to have been an important ceremonial
center.
Lake Titicaca
Floating Islands
Inhabited by the Uros people, about 300 in all. The
islands are constructed from many
layers of the tortora reed which rot away from the bottom and are
replaced at the top.
Taquile Island
Lake Titicaca is 3,820 meters above sea level, and straddles Peru and Bolivia.
The women of Taquile seem to do most of the work, while the men sit around knitting tightly woven woolen caps.
Sunset
Looking across the lake towards Bolivia at sunset.
Cordillera Blanca
Laguna Churup, Near Huaraz
On the trail, Nevado Churup (5,495 meters) in the distance.