Must see places in South-America

 The wild Amazon

The Wild Amazon is one of the greatest jungles, where you can find a lot of amazing and differentAmazon (16) wildlife. For example  the Black Caiman, anaconda, fish piranhas and jaguars! One thing you shouldn’t miss while in the Amazon is the meeting of the waters in Manaus. the Rio Negro with dark water, and the Rio Solimoes with sandy coloured water run side by side without mixing! You can either do a cruise through the Amazon or book a lodge and do excursions.

 Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a big architectural wonder, and since 2007 one of the Seven Wonders! It is not SetWidth600-21_-The-fsmous-ruins-of-Machu-Picchu2only popular for its architecture, but also because of its natural beauty. The citadel is nested in the lush cloud forest of the Andes Mountain, what makes an breathtaking scenery.

 Rio de Janeiro

A visit to Rio de Janeiro is definitely worth the trip! With all of its landmarks, amazing landscapes, and anRio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf amazing view from the Sugarloaf mountain that rises almost 400 meters above the harbor.  And don’t forget the famed beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema! Are you searching for a place to relax, go to the beach, see some amazing nature, learn about the culture, or just enjoy the city, Rio has it all!

 The Galapagos Islands

The scenery is breathtaking, cruising over the deep blue sea to various islands you’ll find everything from volcanic peaks to ancient lava fields, crystal clear bays and white sandy beaches.

The diverse wildlife inhabiting each of the remote Islands evolved independently, due to isolation,Galapagos Underwater2 and today have adapted to their individual environment – hence the inspiration for Darwin’s theory of evolution. Exploring different islands to see this for yourself is quite extraordinary. On one island, you might be intrigued by the land loving, cactus eating Iguanas, only to be equally amused on another by marine iguanas that swim and eat seaweed. It has to be seen to be believed.

 Iguazu Falls

The Iguazu falls are one of the most impressive falls in the world. Located near the border between  Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay in a tropical jungle. Here you can take a boat trip and get as close as possible to the falls. The subtropical forests and the jungle are also worth exploring. Spot the most amazing wildlife in the forests like: toucans, parrots, birds, monkeys and butterflies!  This is also a place that has to be seen to believed. A must see place in South America!

 USED Iguazu Falls 3

MarcaHuamachuco Peru

Here at Chimu we are always on the look out for a new destination! This place has been on our radar for quite some time, and I am sure you will agree its worth a look. We can get you there! email us at info@chimuadventures.com. Travel to Marcahuamachuco with Chimu Adventures and discover the Peru people talk often about, but seldom visit.

Marcahuamachuco, an enigmatic 1600-year-old archeological complex built from stone in the northern Peruvian Andes, is emerging bit by bit from oblivion and could become a beacon of tourism on the scale of Machu Picchu.

Spread over 240 hectares on a plateau more than 3700 metres high in the mountains, the pre-Incan site embodies all the evils that have befallen Peru’s archeological treasures.

Though still full of mysteries — who lived here, and why, is unknown — the complex has been plundered of artifacts that might help unlock its secrets, and has long been subjected to the depredations of nature.

But it’s still there, groups of sometimes monumental stone building, massive rounded walls that rise 10 to 15 metres, galleries, a rectangular plaza and dwellings, and an urban religious center with a sanctuary.

“All of it walled in, a fortress of stone on a plateau to defend against invasion,” said Cristian Vizconde, the government’s chief archeologist.

Marcahuamachuco — in Quechua, “the people of the men with hawklike headdresses” — has been studied by archeologists since 1900.

Parts of the site are still buried under centuries of accumulated earth, masking its true dimensions.

But its splendor was revealed anew in October 2010 when brush was cleared away as part of a major preservation effort by the government in partnership with the Global Heritage Fund, a non-profit whose mission is to protect endangered world cultural heritage sites.

The fund is providing scientific help to study, preserve and make Marcahuamachuco — long overshadowed by the far more celebrated Machu Picchu more than 1000 kilometres away — ready for sustainable tourism. The goal is to get it registered as a world heritage site by Unesco.

“It is the most important pre-Inca center in the Andes, with its own language, culli (which lasted until the 20th century), with its own gods and buildings unlike any seen in Peruvian archeological sites,” he said.

Even so, the complex remains shrouded in mystery.

“We don’t know what culture Marcahuamachuco belonged to. We do know that the stone structures, with walls 10 to 15 metres high, were built between 350 and 400 AD but we don’t know when its inhabitants arrived or where they came from,” said Vizconde.

Canadians John Topic and Theresa Lange-Topic, who have studied the complex, believe its last inhabitants left around the 13th century and that when the Incas arrived two centuries later they found only shepherds among the ruins.

“It’s not known why they went, possibly because of an epidemic, but it’s all a mystery that remains to be solved,” said Vizconde.

Archeologists hope to find clues in burial sites found behind thick walls in an area of the complex called the Castle where priests or nobles may have been buried.

“Those places have been sacked but the few human remains that were left will be analyzed with the help of GHF,” Vizconde said, adding that another possible cemetery was found recently and could give up more secrets.

Julio Vargas, a GHF expert on archeological structures, said he was impressed by the size of the buildings and the mortar work used to join stones in a way that has endured centuries of rain, wind and abandonment.

“What strikes me is the incredible transparence of the ensemble: it was very open, as if it were a public message, built to impress, to show the power of a dynasty, I would imagine,” said John Hurd, a GHF advisor.

Hurd said the site is so imposing that it could “break the dependence of the tourism industry on Machu Picchu.”

Tourism could bring work and respect for the ancient ruins in an area where more than 300 other archeological sites are endangered by informal gold mining.

Luis Alberto Rebaza, the mayor of Huamachuco province, which has 150,000 people, calls the site’s tourism potential “the great opportunity of my people.”

Source – www.smh.com.au

Second Home – Lima, an artistic oasis

On a quick google search, Second home comes up as number one bed and breakfast in Lima. Chimu Adventures investigated there is a lot more to this stately residence than meets the eye.

Second Home is located in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco, around 5 – 10 minutes from the tourist centre of Miraflores. Barranco lies on the coast, and amongst glittering new residential developments, some colonial homes such as this gem still make their mark.

To the owners, this residence “embodies the spirit of Peruvian culture combined with the tranquility of the Pacific. This majestic
guesthouse with five bedrooms/baths is nestled conveniently
in the heart of Barranco, Lima’s arts district”

The home is the current residence of world renowned Peruvian painter and sculptor Victor Delfin. Victor’s work can be found throughout the hotel, in the grounds and in the rooms. It is a truly unique property and a charming haven to stay to avoid the bustle of Lima. Delfin’s workshop is also on the grounds and a visit gives a facsinating insight into the work of this remarkable man.

Second Home Peru is one of Chimu Adventures’ most unique properties, and is highly reccomended for a short, or a long stay in the city.

One of five guestrooms

One of five guestrooms

The best Chimu Passenger Blog ever?

Hi Folks!

We are back, sorry for the delay in posts – but been a hectic few months in Chimu land!.. Our new website will be on its way soon!

One of our intrepid clients has agreed to let us use his recent blog to South America, the highs the lows and what he thinks of us!

We think it is the best insight to a Chimu Adventures tour – EVER. Ray’s blog is coming soon – let us know what you think!

The Chimu Team

Argentina even more accessible for UK travellers

Argentina is now even more accessible to UK travellers, thanks to the new British Airways direct flight from London.

Start your visit at Buenos Aires, arguably Latin America’s most stylish capital. From here fly to the Atlantic coast of northern Patagonia, a striking place of steep, tawny cliffs with a hinterland of rough grasslands stretching out beyond the horizon.

This is one of the world’s most alluring destinations for wildlife watchers.

The Valdes Peninsula, a spur of land jutting into the ocean, is a world-renowned reserve of wildlife to which a variety of species of birds flock in their hundreds of thousands.

There is plenty going on in the peninsula throughout the year: Elephant seals, dolphins and seabirds are permanent residents while bull elephant seals duel for their females from August to November.

The southern right whale arrives to breed at this time too, and a million Magellanic penguins flock to the beaches at Punta Tombo from September to March.

Iguazu FallsJaw-dropping: The Iguazu Falls are on Argentina’s border with Brazil

Patagonia in the far south erupts into a landscape of immense glaciers, sheer granite rock walls and soaring pinnacles, and minty lakes dotted with icebergs the size of battleships. Within this huge, ice-capped area there are two principal bases for exploration: the town of El Calafate on the shores of turquoise Lago Argentino, and El Chalten, a growing tourist centre in the FitzRoy massif.

In the north-east of Argentina you’ll find perhaps the most stunning sight in the whole of South America – the Iguazu Falls. This is a chain of 275 waterfalls more than a mile wide, which tumble and roar over a 200ft precipice. They are located in protected, bird-filled subtropical rainforest on the border with Brazil.

In the north-west, the landscapes and cultures of Salta and Jujuy provinces have more in common with their Andean neighbours than with other regions of Argentina.

There’s a high altiplano here, with salt flats, and the mountains are as rugged and wild as those of Peru.

The hospitable city of Salta has a real South American colonial centre and makes a good base for visitors to explore high-altitude vineyards and the mineral-rich multi-coloured canyons.

- Source – Daily Mail (UK)

A bite in Buenos Aires?

Expect the menu to be on the red-blooded side, writes Ute Junker.

Favourite flavours

This is cattle country and you’ll find “bife” on every menu: from asado (barbecue) to bife de chorizo (sirloin steak) or even stuffed in an empanada – which is what locals call a meat pie.

The local drop

Argentina is the fifth-largest producer of wines in the world, so you’ll never be short of a drop. If you’d rather try something quintessentially South American, order a cup of mate, brewed from the leaves of the yerba mate plant.

Food in Buenos Aires - always BIG and quite often Tasty!

Food in Buenos Aires - always BIG and quite often Tasty!

Top tables

At Cabana las Lilas (Alicia Moreau de Justo 516, Puerto Madero, +54 11 4313 1336, laslilas.com/restaurant.php), instead of lining the walls with photos of famous guests, they’ve hung up shots of some of their favourite cows. Seriously. Las Lilas ranch is known for breeding the country’s best beef and this steakhouse showcases the pick of the crop, with 13 different cuts available.

Now that’s what you call a serious bovine fetish.

Helmed by Argentina’s favourite celebrity chef, Francis Mallmann, Patagonia Sur (Rocha 801, Esq. Pedro de Mendoza, La Boca, +54 11 4303 5917, restaurantepatagoniasur.com) showcases Argentina’s regional cuisine. The townhouse setting is romantic and the menu features a range of culinary delights, from simple lentil stew to spider crab salad, as well as succulent roast Patagonian lamb.

Argentinians may love a good steak but that doesn’t mean they don’t also appreciate a more modern take on cuisine. At

La Vineria de Gualterio Bolivar (Bolivar 865, San Telmo, +54 11 4361 4709, lavineriadegualteriobolivar.com), chef Alejandro Digilio’s nine-course tasting menus pack them in. Expect seasonal flavours prepared using molecular gastronomy techniques and refreshingly friendly service.

Budget bite

La Boca, the old port area of Buenos Aires, is what the guidebooks call “authentic”: lots of small streets and unfussy cantinas filled with boisterous families and chain-smoking old men. The tiny El Obrero (Agustin R. Caffarena 64, La Boca, +54 11 4362 9912) is typical, offering old-school fare including grilled meat and puchero stew, made with brisket, sausage, calabaza, potatoes and corn cobs.

Special night

If you like your restaurants atmospheric, you’ll love Desde el Alma (Honduras 5298, Palermo Viejo, +54 11 4831 5812), with its mood lighting, rustic chic and those cosy couches grouped around the fireplace. The homey feel is reflected in the menu, which is simple yet delicious (seafood is a specialty here).

Locals love

Don’t even bother opening the 22-page menu at El Trapiche (Paraguay 5099, Palermo, +54 11 4772 7343). There’s only one reason locals come to this traditional diner and that’s the milanesa. The breaded cutlet – think of it as a local take on the Wiener schnitzel – is the dish of choice, although the grilled meats are also excellent.

Don’t leave without trying

At Cafe Tortoni (Avenida de Mayo 825, El Centro, +54 11 4342 4328, cafetortoni.com.ar), your coffee is served with a slice of history. The oldest cafe in town (it opened in 1858 and has retained its gorgeous Belle Epoque decor) has always been a key part of Buenos Aires’s cultural landscape and is a great place to savour the classic BA breakfast: a medialuna pastry washed down with a cortado, a shot of espresso livened up with just a dash of milk. It’s buzzing later in the day, too, with tango in the evening, as well all-day billiards.

Chimu Adventures hosts a range of tours in Argentina and Buenos Aires, and Qantas flies to Buenos Aires daily from Sydney.

Source – www.smh.com.au

Chimu Adventures Sponsors Fresh Water Drinking Project in Mexico

Chimu Adventures, Australia’s leading travel specialist to Latin America and Antarctica, has sponsored the LATA Foundation in building a fresh water fountain in Mexico. The project, run in conjunction with local NGO, New Life Mexico aims to provide safe drinking water to 500 people per day. It will be positioned in a secure location outside a medical clinic in Puerto Vallarta and will mainly be used by people who live below the poverty line. They do not have access to clean water and cannot afford bottled water. The design is tried and tested and requires low maintenance, yielding 1,168,000 cups of water per year. The fountain has 6 spouts and will also be used fill around 1,000 bottles every day.

Chimu Adventures sponsors a range of different projects accross Latin America. Please contact us at info@chimuadventures.com if you require any more information.

Top South America Sporting Events

Football is a religion in South America

Football is a religion in South America

Ask any Latin American and they’ll tell you one of the things that define their continent and their own national identities is a burning passion for the competitive spirit of sport. These days the continent’s many historic rivalries are expressed through a healthy sporting spirit in sports such as football, tennis and volleyball. Here are some of the best sporting events worth visiting as part of a tour to South America.

The Best of the Beautiful Game: Copa de Libertadores

Soccer and Latin America are virtually synonymous. The beautiful game is revered everywhere from the buzzing streets of the continent’s cities to the most remote outposts in the distant wilderness. And of all the soccer tournaments in South America, it is the Copa de Libertadores that draws the most attention and passion. The competition sees old tensions such as those between Brazil and Argentina or Peru and Chile turned into a healthy sporting rivalry.

The tournament’s 38 teams are drawn from the top-ranking teams from national competitions, who play a number of preliminary rounds before entering a group stage and then the finals. By the time the final stages begin, virtually everyone in South America has focused their attention on the competition.

The atmosphere of a major South American soccer match is a unique experience and you don’t get much bigger than the finals of the Copa de Libertadores!

A Touch of Class: The Argentine Polo Open Championship

For those seeking a less raucous, more elegant spectator sport, look no further than the great polo traditions of Argentina. Polo is an old passion for Anglophile Argentines, and the sport attracts some of the best players and finest horses in the world.

Aiming High: The South America Volleyball Championship

Volleyball is one of the few sports in Latin America that is widely popular among female competitors and spectators. The pinnacle of the game’s annual calendar is the South American Volleyball Championship, held biannually since 1951 at alternate locations usually in Peru, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina.

The sport is taken very seriously and demands extreme levels of fitness, agility, coordination and teamwork. Brazil, where the sport has become a passion second only to football, has been the traditional leading country, with occasional challenges from Argentina, Peru and Venezuela.

Hole in One: Tour De Las Americas

Ironically, it is the ancient sport of golf that is the youngest addition to Latin America’s professional sports scene, having only been established as a permanent international tour in 1999. The Tour de las Americas (TLA) provides an opportunity for the best national players from Latin America and the Caribbean to compete at an international level and has rapidly developed into a major sporting occasion, involving over 30 events in almost 20 countries and a total prize money of over $3 million. The rise of golf on the continent has also contributed to a growth in dedicated golf courses, especially in some of the more luxurious Costa Rica hotels.

South America: The Party Continent!

Two Latin American festivals have made it into the London Telgraphs Best parties of 2011 list – which documents the best parties and festivals upcoming year. These are the world famous Rio Carnival and Oruro Carniva in Bolivia:

Rio Carnival

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 5-8 

Carnival in Rio

Carnival in Rio

The samba parade is the climax of this riotous display of Brazilian bacchanal. Various balls are also held throughout the city, such as the hugely popular Gala Gay ball, a flamboyant affair, open to all. Street parties are found wherever there is a band or a sound system.

Oruro Carnival

Oruro, Bolivia, March 4-8;

In between the capital La Paz and the Bolivian salt flats lies Oruro, a high-altitude mining town. Its carnival showpiece is La Diablada, a “dance of the devils” played out in elaborate costume. The parade pays homage to the patron saint of miners and to Pachamama, the Earth mother. Featured are 20,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians, dressed as devils, Andean spirit animals, Inca characters and conquistadores. Dances depict battles between good and evil.

Join the party by throwing water bombs – but be wary: tourists make good targets.

Chimu Adventures Launches Win a Trip to Antarctica Competition!

Win Antarctica on the MS Expedition!

Win Antarctica on the MS Expedition!

Chimu Adventures has launched their ‘win a trip to Antarctica’ competition on their website. The prize includes a birth on an 11 day cruise to Antarctica on the MS Expedition including all meals, excursions, guides, lectures, port transfers and one night accommodation in Ushuaia, Argentina. Total prize value is GBP 4,929. To be eligible for the price, all people have to do is sign up to the monthly newsletter. For more details email info@chimuadventures.com, or click HERE.