Inka Trail
Three days of trekking towards a dream 🧡
The Inca Trail was an adventure I'll never forget. Three days of hiking through the mountains, tackling endless ups and downs, camping along the way and experiencing just about every type of weather you could imagine — sunshine, wind, rain and even a little snow!
There were no showers, and the trek definitely tested me, but the scenery made every step worthwhile. We walked through the clouds, explored incredible Inca sites and crossed Dead Woman's Pass, one of the most challenging parts of the journey.
Then came the early morning start on my birthday. After a long trek and a seemingly endless number of steps, we finally reached the Sun Gate just as the sun began creeping over Machu Picchu.
Seeing that first view was magical. After everything we'd been through to get there, it was a moment I'll never forget.
The Inca Trail was physically demanding, but it was also an incredible experience filled with history, breathtaking scenery and a real sense of achievement. And knowing that I'd reached the Sun Gate on my birthday and making friends along the way made it even more special.
It was the perfect introduction to a place I'd dreamed of visiting for years — and I couldn't wait to see Machu Picchu up close.♡
Machu Picchu
A dream years in the making 🧡
Walking down from the Sun Gate towards Machu Picchu was a dream I'd had for years, and finally being there was absolutely breathtaking.
The sun was shining, the views were incredible, and after three days of trekking through the mountains, camping and tackling all those ups and downs, I finally understood why people travel from all over the world to see this place.
Every step of the Inca Trail had been worth it.
Seeing Machu Picchu in real life was something else. Learning about its history, how it was built and the incredible civilisation behind it completely blew my mind. It's one thing to see pictures, but standing there and taking it all in is an entirely different experience.
And after all that walking, what was the first thing I wanted afterwards? A HOT SHOWER!
Machu Picchu was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. It was a dream I'd carried for years, and finally making it happen was a reminder of why I love travelling so much. The experiences that take us outside our comfort zones often become the memories we treasure most.♡
Not keen on trekking? There's another option!
You don't have to hike the Inca Trail to experience Machu Picchu. You can take a scenic train journey through the beautiful Andean landscapes towards Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu, and continue from there to the site. It's a wonderful alternative if you'd rather save your energy for exploring the ruins!
For me, Machu Picchu wasn't just another place to tick off a list. It was a dream come true, made even more special by the journey it took to get there. If it's somewhere you've always wanted to visit, I can honestly say that standing there in person was worth every step. 🧡
Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
When the unexpected view steals the show! 🧡
After the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, our adventure continued to Rainbow Mountain. The walk takes you up to around 5,000 metres above sea level, and believe me, you feel the altitude! Even a simple stroll becomes more challenging when you're that high up.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn't on our side. Clouds rolled in and blocked the famous rainbow-coloured views, so we decided to head over to Red Valley instead.
To get into Red Valley, we made our way to an entrance where local people collected a small fee to let visitors through a wall and into the valley. And WOW! As we passed through, we were rewarded with phenomenal views across the dramatic red landscape. The clouds began to lift, revealing scenery that surpassed anything I'd imagined.
What could have been a disappointing day turned into one of the highlights. Sometimes the unexpected places end up being the most memorable!
Then, rather than taking the usual path back down, we decided to run down the sandy hillside. Definitely a fun way to finish the adventure!
For me, Red Valley was the unexpected star of the day. So if the weather doesn't go to plan, don't be too disappointed — sometimes you just need to walk through a wall and discover what's waiting on the other side! ♡
Amazon
A little slice of wilderness in the middle of nowhere 🧡
Flying into the Amazon and then travelling for two hours up the river to reach a beautiful eco lodge in the middle of nowhere was an adventure in itself.
The lodge was stunning, surrounded by nothing but rainforest, birdsong and wildlife. It was so peaceful, especially lounging in a hammock and listening to the sounds of the jungle. Pure bliss!
Although, I did learn one very important lesson about mosquito protection… cover EVERYTHING! The only bit of me I left uncovered was my face, and naturally, that’s exactly where they decided to attack!
The wildlife was phenomenal. We spotted huge cat paw prints in the mud, an anteater and even a baby anaconda.
One of the highlights was heading out on a water safari. We spotted large caiman, loads of capybara and colourful parrots gathering on the clay riverbanks. Seeing so much wildlife in its natural habitat was an experience I’ll never forget.
The Amazon was a completely different kind of adventure. No rushing around, no busy streets — just incredible nature, unforgettable wildlife and the chance to slow down and take it all in.
The Amazon reminded me that not every adventure has to be about ticking off sights or rushing from one place to another. Sometimes, the magic is in slowing down, listening to the world around you and realising just how incredible nature really is. ♡
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