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seduniablog · 5 years

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6 Mind-blowing Places in Latin America You Won't Believe Are Really on Earth

The charisma of Latin America's gorgeous cities such as São Paulo, Lima, Buenos Aires, Cartagena is outshining by its abundant natural wonders from the rugged Mountains Lodges of Peru, the awe-inspiring power of Iguazú Falls to the dramatic Torres del Paine National Park of Patagonia and more. Step aside Europe and Southeast Asia, travel in Latin America is all the rage right now with these 6 mind-blowing destinations. Read on and get inspired!

Written by Ilona

1. Patagonia Region

Southern Patagonia, which spans across Chile and Argentina, has long lured travellers to what is very nearly the end of the world with its storied peaks carved by age-old glaciers and incredible landscapes. Torres del Paine National Park is the highlight among the many remarkable national parks in South America, it manages to squeeze all of Patagonia’s wonders into its 500,000 acres sanctuary.

Grab your camera, as you trek through this spiritual wilderness pass by snow-capped granite mountains, glittering glaciers, cobalt fjords, ice-blue rivers, glacier lakes and rolling grasslands. if you’re lucky, you might encounter local wildlife including pumas, guanacos, condors, and huemuls

Photo credited to Dan Lundberg on https://www.flickr.com/

Carved into the Patagonian Andes, the Marble Caves (Cuevas de Mármol) are situated on a peninsula of solid marble bordering Lake General Carrera, a remote glacial lake that spans the Chile-Argentina border.

Photo credited to Javier Vieras on https://www.flickr.com/

Have you ever wonder how these stunning blue caves formed? It is formed by 6,000 over years of waves washing up against calcium carbonate, the swirling blues of the chamber walls are a reflection of the lake’s azure waters. It's simply amazing!

2. Machu Picchu of the Inca Empire

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? One of the great iconic travel destinations of all time, Machu Picchu is an incredible landscape for thrill-seekers. Nestled high in the slopes of the Andes, the ruins of Machu Picchu continue to uncover the mysteries of the Inca Empire. A trip to Machu Picchu leads you to a trek into history, it takes trains, bus rides, and an exhilarating hike for several days to reach this 15th-century Incan fortress.

However, the end results to look down on and walk through one of the world’s highest and most well-preserved ritual sites is worth every bead of sweat, every tired muscle, and every wave of altitude syndrome to see the magnificent views of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary with your own eyes while exploring the majestic Sun Temple, the surreal Royal Mausoleum and the monolithic shrines of the Sacred Plaza.

3. Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

No trip to Argentina would be complete without a visit to the mighty Iguazu Falls! Situated between the Argentina-Brazil border in a large expanse of the national park, it rainforest thriving with unique flora and fauna. One of the planet’s most spectacular waterfall systems, the thunders power and noise of the cascades is simply magical.

The Brazilian side features a nature trail to the falls which great for a hiker, you will discover giant butterflies, colourful toucans and unique foliage. Meanwhile, the Argentinian side includes the famous Devil’s Throat, it is a narrow, U-shaped gorge in Iguaçu National Park accessible by hiking trail & a suspended walkway. The Iguazú Falls is a picturesque sight to behold, it will live forever in your memory.

4. Rio de Janeiro

Photo credited to vincentraal on https://www.flickr.com/

With its vibrant beaches, dramatic mountains, and the backdrop of samba and bossa nova rhythms, it's easy to fall in love with Rio de Janeiro. From the verdant avenues and upscale boutiques of Ipanema to the rollicking nightclubs and enjoy the sophisticated beach life by the world-famous beach of Copacabana, Rio is a treat for the senses.

Photo credited to Stanislav Sedov on https://www.flickr.com/

The Brazilian metropolis has skyrocketed onto travel bucket lists ever since it hosted the 2014 World Cup, meet the Christ the Redeemer and up the peak of Sugarloaf Mountain are musts. Don’t miss The Greatest Show on Earth in Rio de Janeiro! The Rio Carnival gather millions of visitors in the buzzing city of Rio, the party runs from Friday to Ash Wednesday, happens every February or March and ending one month before Easter.

5. Salar de Uyuni

Without a doubt, visiting the Salar de Uyuni is truly a life-changing travel experience, it's technicolour lagoons and surreal deserts have become highlights of the South American. The prehistoric lake is crusty most of the year, its geometric salt patterns engrave the earth and sweeping beyond the horizon. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water transforms the flats into a stunning reflection of the sky and creates the illusion that you’re walking on clouds.

Photo credited to Carlos Adampol Galindo on https://www.flickr.com/

Salar de Uyuni is breeding ground for about 80 species of birds and three species of pink South American flamingo. Plan your trip between January and March for a chance to glimpse this incredible phenomenon and spotted pink flamingos or other unique wildlife.

6. Easter Island of southern Pacific Ocean

The name Easter Island was given by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who landed on the aisle on Easter Sunday in 18 century. Its Polynesian name is Rapa Nui. Easter Island is one of the most isolated places on Earth, a one-of-a-kind destination lends it unmistakable authenticity and an aura of mystery. Rapa Nui’s mysterious moai statues stand in silence but speak volumes about the accomplishment of their creators.

The legendary Ancient Polynesians cultivating a culture that untouched by outsiders for centuries, built over 900 gigantic moai statues and ancient rock art carvings that continue to inspire archaeologists and travellers. Of course, there are more to discover on this mysterious isle. Take in the scenic Rapa Nui’s pink-sand beaches, its volcanic cones and windswept grasslands while you biking around the tranquillity paradise before sunset.

Discover the intriguing culture of the Rapa Nui people during Tapati, a traditional festival held in February. Explore the untold story of Rapa Nui by visiting The Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum, dedicated to the preserved artefacts of the Rapa Nui history and culture. It is the only museum on Easter Island, you definitely get a good overview of the Moai and Rapa Nui history.

Latin America is every traveller's dream, you could spend years discovering everything Latin America has to offer, making it one of the best destinations. Follow the foot-steps of Sedunia travel & discover everything from the Samba vibes at Rio Carnival to the serenity on the Uyuni Salt Flats. Find out more at https://www.seduniatravel.com/

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expeditom · 4 years

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It was a fine autumn day, when we found the most wonderful lake of the Swiss Alps in a remote valley and encountered a wild vulture.

http://expeditom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ExpediTom_The-Vulture.mp3

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Spontaneity

ExpediTom in awe taking in the views

The Swiss Alps exert an irresistible attraction. Not only do they amaze overseas’ visitors, but also its inhabitants are in awe at the glance of these spectacular mountains. Every time I return from abroad, I cannot wait to see this majestic sight again.

Summer was quickly retreating and gave way to colder nights and richer earth tones. It was at this time that Philippe called me up on a Tuesday, whether I would like to do another overnighter. For many people this might refer to clubbing and going out. Yet, for me this meant prime time outdoors and sleeping under the stars. It appears to me that there is a turning point in adulthood, when outdoor becomes more important than outgoing.

Introducing Philippe – eagle-eyed, adventurous and one of a kind rascal

Swiss Alps Overnighter

Many visitors in Switzerland are struck by the extensive public transport system. There is hardly any corner you cannot reach. Even though its reliability does not always live up to the expectations, it mostly is a pleasure to just sit back and enjoy the scenery unfolding through the window. The train ride to this remote corner in Graubünden took more than four hours and it was not until midday that we started hiking. It was a leisure hike at first, became a well-trodden path and eventually changed to a single trail.

Provisions: Sweets – check

Rhaetian Railways

Philippe doing his thang

Short-cut or Detour?

We approached a thundering waterfall dropping of the cliff, which we were about to circumvent on the trail. This was the outlet of the lake – our ultimate destination. Unfortunately, our path did not cross the base of this wonderful waterfall, but we had an idea.

The thundering waterfall we attempted to reach

Instead of following the usual path, Philippe suggested taking the detour and try out the straight way up. This would allow us to see the waterfall up close. The route did not seem that difficult from below. Yet, I had some reservations about its feasibility. The last time, I refused to join in on an idea by Philippe during the West Coast Trail in Canada, he was quite bummed. Therefore, I overcame my reservations and agreed.

The thundering waterfall we attempted to reach

Slowly we drew closer to the waterfall along the steep creek. The loose gravel and massive rocks posed some serious difficulties to reach the sight. They reminded me of our Huemul Trek. The further we got, the clearer it was to me that there is now way of finding a short-cut to the lake by going straight up. Furthermore, the lose stones and Philippe in front of me posed a danger beyond our control. My gut feeling told me to turn back and after a couple more hesitant steps, I gave in. I retreated along the same path, partly on my butt and ripped my trousers. Philippe continued a few more meters before he also turned around.

The moment I gave in

Victim of the detour. Usually, I wear underpants. Usually.

Marmots and Rainbows

After eating some snacks at the bottom, where we had left off for the detour, we were refreshed and continued along the ordinary, official hiking trail. Even this one was not easy by any means. It was steep and narrow at times. Slowly gaining altitude, the weather increasingly deteriorated. First, the wind picked up and shortly after the precipitation reached us and caused a rainbow right in front of us.

The weather changed for the bad

Opting for a short break in order to sit out the rain, we found refuge under a ledge along a mountain cliff. Meanwhile, our gaze met the rugged landscape that is the Swiss Alps. The granite peaks were impressive. Suddenly, the marmots whistled loudly, and all disappeared in a rush into their earth holes. Generally, marmots either whistle repeatedly to just raise awareness or once for an immediate threat. A huge shadow appeared in front of us, but we were not sure what it was. While Philippe followed the winged creature as good as possible with his eyes, I grabbed the Sony 200-600mm Tele zoom lens that I heaved up the mountain and put it on the tripod. Paired with the APS-C camera (A6500), this gives you a full-frame equivalent of 900mm – in other words: solid reach. Luckily, the massive bird landed somewhere on the other side and Philippe was able to direct my gaze to the right spot. Thanks bro!

Swiss Alps Marmot

Ledge of the mountain

Sony 200-600mm and vulture

Ledge of the mountain

The bearded vulture

The bearded vulture – critically endangered and only about 40 individuals remaining

Serendipitous Sighting: The Vulture

There it was. About 300 meters away, the magnificent bird sat relaxed on a bolder overlooking and scanning the desolate landscape. It turned out to be a bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). These enormous creatures can reach a wingspan of up to three meters and used to populate the entire range of the Swiss Alps in the 19th century. With the increasing use of the mountain regions by humans, their food became increasingly scarce. At the same time, vultures were subjected to rigorous hunting. Contrary to popular beliefs, vultures do not kill livestock or steal children. Their diet almost entirely consists of bones from naturally deceased animals. Back in the 19th century, the sovereigns in Switzerland even offered premiums on killed birds. The last vultures were hunted in Visp in 1886 and here is an ornithological journal from 1918 discussing the matter. The bearded vulture was reintroduced in the late 20th century, but is still critically endangered. Nowadays, there are only about 40 individuals living in Switzerland. Therefore, sightings should be reported to the Bearded Vulture Foundation. They might even tell you the name of this specific vulture.

Mind-blowing size difference between an alpine chough and a bearded vulture

Eventually, the bird took flight and after a couple of rounds close to the granite pinnacles it disappeared as quickly as it had emerged. Stoked from this experience, we continued our hike.

Bearded Vulture

Our very own island

On our final stretch to the lake, we came across a fellow Italian speaking hiker. He made us understand that he urgently needed to call someone. After checking reception, Philippe handed him his phone. Neither Philippe nor I understand Italian very well (not every Swiss speaks three national languages). However, the hiker’s exclamation “porca la miseria” clearly indicated certain annoyance. We wished farewell to him and crossed a meadow with lots of sheep. The vulture was clearly not interested in them – at least as long as they were alive.

The Italian speaking

Arriving at the wonderful lake nestled amidst the huge mountain peaks, we scouted the area for a suitable camping spot. It was not long, until we settled for the small island. Who has not dreamed of their very own little piece of heaven surrounded by water? We explored the area, had a look down the waterfall, which we attempted to climb and laughed about our silliness while gazing into the valley below. After observing an approaching thunderstorm in the distance, we quickly set up our tent and ate dinner from the stove. We anticipated the storm would arrive during the night, but so far, the weather at this amazing place cooperated. It was hard to believe that the scenery could change the better or the worse in any way.

Overlooking the valley and the approaching thunderstorm

Magnificent mountain lake and our very own island

Setting up camp

Mediterranean Views

The sun light just hit the surrounding peaks, when we looked out of our tent.

The sun light just hit the surrounding peaks, when we looked out of our tent. We slept well and the night was quiet without any thunderstorm. Immediately, I got up and regretted to have left my down jacket at home. The temperature at 2300 meters above sea level was only slightly above freezing, but at least there was no wind. Grabbing my camera, I climbed up on a small hill behind the island. The dark waters we had experienced the day before, turned with the soft morning light into various shimmering turquoise hues. It was hard to believe the views got even better overnight. This place is without a doubt among my top five camping spot I have ever been.

The most wonderful lake in the Swiss Alps

Edelweiss

Most wonderful lake in the Swiss Alps

Philippe and I enjoyed the scenery for some time, before we had breakfast on our island. While the sun rapidly increased the temperature, we came up with the brilliant idea to go for a swim. Nevertheless, the lake was still freezing cold. The thought crossed my mind how awesome it would look like from above while floating with a mattress in the blue lake. Without further a do, I took my Thermarest Neoair X-Lite and tried to distribute my weight evenly. Yet, there was not much afloat of me anymore. Depending on the perspective, either the sleeping pad provided too little uplift, or I was just too heavy.

Mediterranean views in Switzerland

Floating in the blue

Our very own island

Drying

I was in there too

Gear

Cheers

Now it was Philippe’s turn with his Exped Synmat UL, which has been leaking air since our Huemul trek through an untraceable hole. In contrast to my attempt, Philippe was successful and floated above the turquoise water. Moreover, the plunge allowed Philippe to locate the tiny leak and he fixed it with glue. After drying our sleeping pads and underwear, we packed our tent. We hiked over the next mountain pass and returned to civilisation. By now, the weather changed and dark clouds predicted rain.

the weather changed and dark clouds predicted rain

Overnighter

We embarked on the journey home and contemplated about paying a visit to Robert in Zurich. The three of us had travelled to Canada together the previous summer. The following day was Robert’s birthday but due to our tiredness, we decided to pay only a brief visit. So, we arrived in Zurich with all our outdoor gear – including the smell. After the first few beers at Robert’s place, we changed our plans to stay the night and celebrate with him at 12 o’clock. The night continued with bars, clubs and more drinks, before Philippe and I finally went home with the first train in the morning. We were exhausted, yet it was a weekend to remember. Perhaps one does not outgrow outgoing though. Yet, If I had to decide between outgoing and outdoor, I would opt for the latter. There is so much more to explore.

Summary

Admittedly, outgoing in Zurich was a harsh contrast to the pristine nature and solitude at the lake. There are some other kind of vultures around in those streets. Furthermore, while seeing the dump hole that the Zurich nightlife is, I instantly wished I were back in the mountains.

Nonetheless, this journey was an incredible trip to a wonderful place in Swiss Alps. There were lots of serendipitous moments such as witnessing a wild vulture. This majestic creature truly was my personal highlight. Apart from that, we were lucky with the weather, that no one was injured during out detour and found a small piece of heaven.

Stamp from a bar saying “Erledigt” (German for “Finished/done”)

This was one hell of a trip! Read, watch or listen now! #vulture #overnight #swissalps #outdoor #outgoing It was a fine autumn day, when we found the most wonderful lake of the Swiss Alps in a remote valley and encountered a wild vulture.

#animal #camping #Graubünden #Hiking #outgoing #overnight #Swiss Alps #Switzerland #travel #Trekking #vulture #Waterfall #Wildlife #Zurich

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expeditom · 4 years

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An overnight trip to the mind-shattering views of the Swiss Alps panorama deluxe.

Treasures at our Doorstep

Many people in the Swiss lowlands seek to escape the cold and dreary winter months. Some are drawn towards higher elevation, where there is at least snow worth mentioning. Others rather want to get rid of all the slushy matter and long for warmer climes. The strong desire to achieve something unattainable seems to be as sure as the Amen in the church. Yet, by rediscovering these small treasures at our doorstep anew, it allows us to avoid being sucked into this vicious circle without breaking the bank. Sometimes, a life raft is closer than anticipated and this was the escapism that I urgently needed.

If you don’t mind the state of aggregation, you can find a sea and islands in Switzerland too.

Beyond the clouds

Sea of fog

If you don’t mind the state of aggregation, you can find a sea and islands in Switzerland too.

Fog waterfall Switzerland

Escaping the Winter Blues in the Jura Mountains

My better half and I had been looking for a chance to test our newly acquired winter gear for a while. Whereas I was keen on trying my winter sleeping bag, she was stoked to try the Thermarest X-Therm. At the beginning of January, a window of opportunity arose. Mild temperatures at slightly below freezing convinced us to give it a go. Next stop Jura mountains!

Sunday Afternoon Hike Extended

We started this journey on a Sunday afternoon. After a brief bus ride, we hiked along the frozen paths. The longer we hiked, the less people shared our path. Luck was on our side and the fog boundary stayed a little lower than the hills we crossed. Considering different camping spots, we settled for one further away. Actually, it was the one we tried to reach last year but were caught in a white-out.

Last time, there were no Swiss Alps Panorama’s to be had.

Swiss Alps Panorama Deluxe

At our destination, we enjoyed the wonderful views across the landscape. Larissa planned polenta for dinner, yet I was sceptical about its feasibility. The previous time I had attempted to cook polenta outdoors ended in a hungry night and burying a kilogram of dry corn and cheese powder. To my amazement, the polenta turned out perfect and it was delicious.

Previous attempt at cooking polenta outdoors during our Huemul trek

Enjoying the views after dinner

By the time the last day hikers returned home, we lit up a fire and set up camp. The temperatures plummeted as soon as the sun disappeared behind the hills. The windchill felt far beyond freezing. Therefore, we soon retreated to our cosy – but tight – one-person tent, which provided just enough space for both our sleeping pads.

Camp right next to the Swiss Alps Panorama viewpoint (pictured is a tall one-person tent from Kogha)

The following morning, darkness has been lifted off the landscape and gave way to a mind-boggling view. The entire range of the majestic Swiss Alps was visible from our viewpoint. Finally, our gaze met the indescribable grandeur:

Swiss Alps panorama beyond the fog

Swiss Alps panorama beyond the fog at sunrise

Winter Sleeping Gear

Larissa used her Exped Winterlite -6 down sleeping bag paired with the Thermarest X-Therm mattress. I was using the Western Mountaineering Antelope MF (-15°C) in combination with the Thermarest X-Lite. Although, my sleeping bag had a way warmer rating than hers, the cold crept through the three-season X-lite mattress. This clearly showed how crucial the mattress is in every sleeping setup. That is why, I have recently bought the affordable Thermarest Z-Lite foam mattress. Together with the inflatable X-Lite it allows to sleep on frozen ground. Yet, my pack was too heavy to accommodate another item. Henceforth, I had to increase the insulation by stuffing my down jacket below my legs.

Wellness for Body and Soul

After packing everything and leaving no trace but a patch of unfrozen earth, we had breakfast. Then we moved towards our next destination. We decided to round-off this micro-adventure with a treat for body and soul. So, we visited the Sole Uno in Rheinfelden, which is a thermal spa, and enjoyed a wellness experience in manifold sauna and bathing facilities. Perhaps indulging in warmth is not that bad after all.

Grey heron from the nearby creek

The Swiss sea beyond the fog

Lama ranch

(Eurasian) nuthatch

On our way home at the SBB restaurant in the train

Kitchen

Summary

This trip was a wonderful micro-adventure and a pleasure to share the experience. Escaping daily life with small adventures has proved to be very effective in countering the winter blues. The Swiss Alps panorama was an incredible sight to wake up to. Furthermore, it was a great opportunity to try our gear in order to evaluate on any limitations. The importance of the sleeping pad for warm and comfortable sleep was confirmed yet again. I should have known it by now.

An exceptional micro-adventure to the treasures at our doorstep offered stunning views of the Swiss Alps panorama. #gooutandexplore #swissalps #outdoor #JuraMountains An overnight trip to the mind-shattering views of the Swiss Alps panorama deluxe.

#backcountry #Fog #Hiking #hills #Jura #Mountains #outdoor #Panorama #Swiss Alps #Switzerland #Treasure #Winter

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