Blogs & Stories
Rick Abbott
My Unforgettable Peruvian Adventure
My Peruvian adventure began in a way I could never have imagined: being personally collected from the Lima airport tarmac by a high-ranking general.
It all started after I booked a three-month trip to Peru and Argentina. I reached out to a dear friend who had helped raise my twin daughters, and she mentioned she had two cousins who were generals in the Peruvian armed forces. I had only planned a brief layover in Lima, but she insisted I spend time with her family between my expeditions.
And so, upon arrival, I was greeted by the general, in full uniform, with his personal driver and an army vehicle. They whisked me away to his penthouse apartment, nestled in one of Lima’s most upscale neighborhoods.
My VIP treatment continued. The general arranged a private tour of a historic castle. During the tour, an unexpected moment occurred: President Dina Boluarte waved the general over before a press conference, and I was briefly introduced. A surreal experience on my third day in Peru!
The generosity didn’t stop there. I was treated to a three-day, first-class tour of Peru’s highlights, with the general himself as our guide. We enjoyed unparalleled access throughout the city.
My next stop: Cusco, the ancient heart of the Americas, perched at a breathtaking 11,152 feet. It was the perfect place to acclimatize for my upcoming high-altitude treks. I settled into a charming villa in the city center for a month, embarking on incredible hikes. I conquered Rainbow Mountain (my first venture above 5,000 meters!), trekked to 19,600 feet in the Andes, completed the five-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and explored numerous other trails.
I returned to Lima to celebrate Christmas with the general’s extended family. The festive season in Lima was a vibrant, almost chaotic affair, with fireworks and street fires painting a vivid picture of their unique Christmas Eve traditions.
Post-Christmas, I set off for Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, shimmering at over 12,500 feet. I experienced the unique lifestyle of the Uros people, staying on their floating islands crafted from totora reeds. After days of boating, I ventured to the desert oasis of Huacachina.
There, I embraced the thrill of dune buggying and sandboarding, carving down the steep desert slopes like a snowboarder on sand.
Returning to Lima, I packed my bags, ready for the next chapter: Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the promise of Iguazu Falls, the Seven Lakes of Bariloche, and the wilds of Patagonia.
Final destination unknown. Life unravels in the Journeys…