Two Backpackers

Photo of the Day: Salar de Surire Chile

| by Aracely | 3 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Salar de Surire Natural Monument is a Chilean Natural Monument located in the Andes, in the Arica and Parinacota Region.  It consists mainly of a salt flat and a number of small salt lakes, sheltering several Andean species of wildlife and plants. Arintica volcano towers over the salt flat.

The protected area, along with Lauca National Park and Las Vicu̱as National Reserve, were designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1981, which is called Lauca. РWikipedia

Read about our 3-day adventure road trip.

Flamingos flying Over the Salar de Surire (Salt Flat) Natural Monument in Chile

Photo of the Day: Reserva National Las Vicuñas Chile

| by Aracely | 5 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Northern Chile’s Altiplano is filled with varying landscapes including snow capped volcanoes, desert mountains, small adobe villages, salt flats, flamingos, vicuñas and pre-Inca ruins.  Arica will serve as your base camp for settling into the new country and planning your exploratory 4×4 road trip.

Read about our 3-day adventure road trip.

Reserva National Las Vicuñas, is south of Parque Nacional Lauca in the southeastern most point of the Arica and Parinacota Region.  Here you will find Monumento Natural Salar de Surire, a salt flat which lies furthest from Arica.

Reserva National Las Vicuñas in Northern Chile

Photo of the Day: Grays Peak Colorado Mountains

| by Jason | 8 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Grays Peak – 14,270 feet
Often referred to as a 14er, Grays Peak is just outside Denver, Colorado and provides a great day hike for short term travelers.

Located on the Continental Divide in the Front range. Interstate 70 is only 4 miles to the north. Grays Peak is the highest peak on the Continental Divide – in the United States and is in Arapaho forest.

This hike is manageable with only boots and water during the warmer months. Many will hike up and ski down as seen in the some of the pictures. Having friends in Colorado is very important! Thanks Adam and Amy.

Grays Peak, Colorado Rocky Mountains

Photo of the Day: Nevado Salkantay Peruvian Andes

| by Jason | 5 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Salcantay (Nevado Salcantay) or Salkantay (Nevado Salkantay), Sallqantay in Quechua is the highest peak of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, part of the Peruvian Andes.  It is located in the Cusco Region, about 60 km (40 mi) west-northwest of the city of Cusco.  It is the 38th highest peak in the Andes, and the twelfth highest in Peru.  However, as a range highpoint in deeply incised terrain, it is the second most topographically prominent peak in the country, after Huascarán. – Wikipedia

We captured this photo during the Salkantay Pass, which was day 2 of our hike to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay Inca Trail.  This trek provided us with the most incredible picture set we have ever taken, even with our cameras starting to fail us.

Day 2 Hiking to Machu Picchu via Salkantay Trek, Nevado Salkantay Pass at 4,600m or 15,000ft

Photo of the Day: Colca Canyon Peru

| by Aracely | 7 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Colca Canyon is a canyon of the Colca River in southern Peru. It is located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Arequipa. It is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States at 4,160 m. However, the canyon’s walls are not as vertical as those of the Grand Canyon. The Colca Valley is a colorful Andean valley with towns founded in Spanish Colonial times and formerly inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas. The local people still maintain ancestral traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces. – Wikipedia

Colca Canyon Near Arequipa, Peru

Photo of the Day: Mountains in Jujuy Province of Argentina

| by Aracely | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

These colorful mountains rest in the Jujuy province of Northwest Argentina which borders Chile and Bolivia. As part of our tour from Salta, we visited several towns in Jujuy, including Purmamarca. Purmamarca is most famous for it’s Hill of Seven Colors (Cerro de los Siete Colores), which describes the mountains surrounding the town that glow in many colors. A small trail, about 40 minutes long allows you to walk around the town on a elevated route for some spectacular photos.

Colorful Mountain Range During Drive in Jujuy Province of Argentina

Photo of the Day: Rock Formations in Northwest Argentina

| by Aracely | 2 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Northern Argentina, the region of Salta, has an unlimited number of naturally formed landscapes perfect for site seeing. If you are looking for things to do in Cafayate or Salta, rent a car. It’s the best way to explore these rock formations, salt flats, small villages, wineries and more.

Rock Formations Near Cafayate, Argentina