Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Vegetarian Tour: The Inca Trail between Cusco and Machu Picchu in Peru.

During Inca times, all roads led to the capital of the Empire, Cusco (which in Quechua means "navel of the world ').

Most roads were inherited from pre-Inca cultures of Peru, Ecuador, Chile and parts of Bolivia. Inca roads were used most frequently by messengers, "chasquis”. Some are still in use and others have been replaced or abandoned.

Cusco is one of the greatest archaeological cities in the world, and even their simple ways are majestic. It has been appointed as the Archaeological Capital of South America. In Cusco, Inca walls have been top by Spanish architecture (from the colony), and put together it adds up to centuries of civilization. The City of Cusco in Peru has excellent vegetarian restaurants offering typical vegetarian and vegan meals, delicious fruits and vegetables.

The most important road was the Capac Ñan with a length of 5,200 kilometers, which opened in Quito (Ecuador), passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucuman, Argentina, across mountains and hills, with peaks over 5,000 meters.

The Inca Trail between Cusco and Machu Picchu has become one of the best recognized treks worldwide and is now a unique tourist attraction of Peru. Thousands of travelers, including many vegetarian groups from all over the world undertake the journey to the Inca Trail from Cusco to access the jungle mountains of Peru, and the ancient mysteries that are still inherent in the stones of the awe inspiring Machu Picchu. Inca Trail between Cusco and Machu Picchu can be done with vegetarian or vegan meals including fresh fruits and vegetables.

Along the way there are several ruins of various forts in relatively good condition, visually dominating the amazing Sacred Valley.

The trail starts at kilometer 88 of the Cusco-Quillabamba railway and takes four days of trekking in order to arrive to Machu Picchu.

The Inca Trail is an ideal tour for vegetarian tourists, they will find exuberant nature, hundreds of species of orchids and colorful birds.

The trail runs through an impressive altitudinal slope, with varied climates and ecosystems such as the high Andean plateau and the cloud forests ending at the entrance to Machu Picchu through the Inti Puncu or "Puerta del Sol".

The weather in the area of the Inca Trail is generally mild throughout the year. The best time for trekking is during the dry season (April-October). June is the coldest month and August offers a more temperate climate and stable. During November, December, January and March the rains are frequent and the road can become muddy. During February the trail is closed for maintenance.


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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Ecuadorian Whales

HUMPBACK WHALES

The humpback whale was given its common name because of the shape of its dorsal fin and the way it looks when its diving. Each whale has its own pattern on the underside of its tail flukes, which can be used like "fingerprints" to identify a particular whale.
Unique patterns on the underside of its tail flukes Humpbacks are found in all oceans from polar to tropical seas and follow fixed migration paths from their summer feeding grounds to warmer waters in the winter. Acrobatic humpbacks usually jump out of the water, stroke each other, and slap the water with their flippers and flukes. In feeding, they use baleen plates to strain small fish such as krill or herring, and plankton out of the water. Humpbacks are best known for their haunting vocalizations or "singing." They have a rich repertoire including frequencies beyond the threshold of human hearing with two basic functions, stunning or panicking fish shoals and communicating information to other herd members. Northern Hemisphere humpbacks have an average length (head to tail) of 49 to 52 feet, and southern humpbacks reach 60 feet. The average weight for a mature adult is between 35 to 65 tons. Their skin is black above, grooves white flukes with variable pattern below.
Even though the longevity of the humpbacks is around 95 years, they are now an endangered species, mainly due to toxic contamination, intensive oil and gas development in feeding grounds, habitat degradation, ship collisions and the still existing whaling industry.
Ecuadorian Whales.
Female humpbacks give birth every two or more years. Pregnancies last for 12 months. The calves nurse for eight to eleven months. Every year between June and September the coast of Ecuador witnesses a magical show, the mating of the Humpback whales. These giant mammals start in the Antartica their long journey to the mild waters of the Ecuadorian ocean. When they reach their destination, these 50 feet long mammals jump in and out of the water trying to call their mates attention. This ritual may last for several weeks, and one year later their offsprings are born in Ecuadorian waters.
Whale watching has become an interesting activity along the entire coast of Ecuador, especially in Puerto Lopez, a small fishing village which has still kept its charm. After an hours´s boat ride, whales are seen exhaling large streams of water and graciously showing their fins. Whale watchers can even name the whale by taking a picture of its tail and sending it to the Ecuadorian Government (if it hasn’t been registered previously). Tourists complete their whale experience when they visit the information center in Puerto Lopez, where interesting data about these humpback whales is available. This visit and many others programs in the Andean Region are now organized for 100% vegetarian tourists, who enjoy the pristine nature and its exquisite vegetarian cuisine.


Get involved, travel veggie.



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