I’d always wanted to go to Peru since I was a child. I think originally it was in the hope that I would meet Paddington (or his bear family!), but as I grew older the draw was definitely the challenge of a 3 trek to Machu Picchu – the “city in the sky” – and the mysterious Incas.
Picture: Machu Picchu, Peru
It wasn’t the most typical honeymoon destination, but Alice at Temple World didn’t seem phased and quickly set about advising us on an itinerary for this once-in-a-lifetime event. And that is exactly how I felt about my honeymoon, that it was probably the only opportunity I would get to spend this much money on a trip and to take quite so much time away from work. To sit on a beach and do nothing felt like a waste of an opportunity, so it seemed like the perfect time to fulfil a childhood dream instead.
After some gentle persuasion from Alice that organising a wedding may require a small amount of relaxation after the event, we agreed to her suggestion to spend a couple of days in Los Roques, a protected archipelago off the coast of Venezuela, to wind down.
Picture: Los Roques, Venezeula, from the air
It was a paradise of white sands, hardly any tourists beyond Venezuelans, snorkelling with giant turtles and diving. As we sat to watch the sun go down on our first evening we agreed that Alice may just have been right in her suggestion of a relaxing start to the trip.
On to Peru, where Alice had handpicked a selection of stunning hotels. We explored Lake Titicaca, Cusco and the lush rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon and whilst this section of the trip was undoubtedly active, it still felt like a relaxed tour as our guides (arranged by Temple World’s partner office) were on hand to share their insights, knowledge, stories and personal recommendations.
Picture: Villagers waving Clare and Dave off, Lake Titicaca
As expected, the highlight of the trip was the trek to Machu Picchu, which was out of this world! Alongside that, our guides’ careful explanations of the culture of the Inca people in the Andes, and the beauty of their respect for Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) instilled a love for the region and its inhabitants that stays with me today.
Picture: Clare at Machu Picchu
Not quite a bonus (and definitely not in the original brief to Alice!) but it also turns out that there is nothing like a short bout of altitude sickness to prove you married the right man.
Clare and David spent three weeks on honeymoon in Venezuela and Peru, including a 3 night/4 day privately guided Inca Trail hike and 3 nights at Posada Amazonas in the Peruvian Amazon. To arrange an adventurous honeymoon, call Temple World on 0208 940 4114 speak to an expert consultant.
