Conquer South America: A 2-week Journey

August 8-20, 2015

Below are the only countries in South America offering no visa for Filipinos.

·       Bolivia - 90 days

·       Brazil - 90 days

·       Colombia - 90 days

·       Ecuador - 90 days

·       Peru - 183 days

·       Suriname - 90 days

Cristo Redentor

So I grab the opportunity to visit my two favorite countries for two weeks: Brazil and Peru.

Why Brazil? Mainly because Brazil is the home of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Sugar Loaf Mountain

Aside from that, Rio de Janeiro is also touristy place where we can find nice beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, lots of things to do and lots of tourist’s spots like a must-visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain where you can have a panoramic view of the Guanabara Bay. Every February, they are celebrating the ever famous Carnival. 

Iguazu Waterfalls

 Adding to Brazil’s attraction is the Iguazu Waterfalls, also one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Featuring a majestic waterfall comparable to Niagara Falls. Located in the province of Parana, along the border of Argentina and Brazil. Within the area also is the Itaipu Dam, being one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World because of its massive engineering: a binational territory of Brazil and Paraguay

Machu Picchu

Now why Peru? Mainly because of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Inca Empire reigns for three centuries from the early 13^th century up to the 16^th century upon the arrival of the Spanish in Peru.

Peru have a very rich culture, you have lots of things to do and places to visit. I only have a week to explore what Peru is and I only visited two cities: Lima and Cusco. Spanish influence is evident in Peru; the language and religion particularly. When the conquerors arrive, it is said that most temples built by the Incas and Pre-Inca empires were destroyed; lots of restorations are being made upon discovery of the dwellings.

Pisaq, Sacred Valley

Cusco has a lot to offer when it comes to Incas. There is the Sacsayhuaman, located above Cusco wherein you can see lots of big rocks piled by Incas. Inca trail also was being restored. Furthermore is the Sacred Valley where the Vilcabamba River flows, most of the Inca ruins are near the river like the Ollantaytambo Ruins. Pisaq is along the Vilcabamba but just above the mountain, where they have discovered lots of mummies as they make it as one of their burial grounds.

Ollantaytambo ruins

Three hours away from Cusco is the world famous Machu Picchu. It is said that the complex is kept secret from the Spanish; they have never reached the area. As per my guide shared to us, the battle of Ollantaytambo made the last descendants of the Incas to withdraw going to sacred valley. They thought that if they will head away going to the opposite direction to Machu Picchu, they will save the complex from being destroyed by the conquistadors. They were right in their decisions; Machu Picchu was kept hidden for another three centuries until a professor from Yale University, Hiram Bingham, discovered the complex.

Such an exciting theory, more insights on my next posts.

I have several advance readings on the attractions before I finally decide on pursuing my trip. Actually the preparation took so long, like more than 2 years until I finally decide to buy a ticket. It’s all worth it.