They told me oxygen would be scarcer, but they didn’t tell me it was the mountains that would take my breath away. I was deep in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, in a small village called Ollantaytambo. It’s an old community that rests in the valley between the huge mountains, complete with Incan ruins that cause a constant outpour of tourists to flood in daily and leave by night after they had their fill of the landscape. We were not one of these tourists.
My friend Gabi and I were visiting Peru for ten days with her dad. We’re both seventeen years old, fresh out of junior year of high school. We earned all the money for our trip ourselves, which by our calculations, was about 190 hours of working the summer before. After scouring the internet for study abroad options, we found a home stay program with Awamaki that sets you up with a family for $16 a night.
Our family was a wonderfully generous, multi-generational household complete with everyone from great-grandma to the youngest grandchild of ten months. The head of the house was an inspirational, hardworking 61-year-old woman named Ana Maria. Our first adventure began when we learned no one in the house spoke English, something we had anticipated but hadn’t fully realized the challenge of until it happened. Every time we spoke, we had to plan out the sentence in our heads. It was mentally exhausting by the end of each day, but the most tiring part was the countless hours we spent exploring.
Right outside our host family’s door was a picture perfect view of the snow-capped peak of Mt. Veronica stretching her way up to 18,000ft. On either side, more mountains rose and cut out the valley like a frame displaying the soft local farms, or chakras, that spread on the ground like a beautiful green juxtaposition to the unwavering russet backdrop.
Gabi pointed to the top of a ridge with visible switchbacks climbing to its peak and said lightheartedly, “I want to hike to that.”
But on our last day in Peru, we did.
We saw many other beautiful places such as the infamous Machu Picchu which, don’t get me wrong, was breathtaking. However, this last hike we did was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. After learning so many new things about the culture and tradition of the Peruvian people, I felt like I had learned to live simpler and happier. Our host family, especially Ana Maria, taught me strength and kindness in a new way when we could barely even speak the same language. That last hike was a symbol of the newfound spirit we had gained from our travels. It was a turning point when we realized after independently traveling the world, working hard, and learning so much, that we could accomplish anything.
We started the hike at about 8am and reached the peak five grueling hours later. At the end, atop this giant mountain, lay a small Inca ruin called Intipunku, or Sungate. The Incans created it hundreds of years ago to catch the light from the summer solstice. That day from that spot, we felt the ancient stillness that sat at the top of those mountains. We looked over the whole valley in wonder and saw what the Inca had seen before us. They had seen the towering mountains and the deep crevice of the valley; we were far from the touch of modern man. After the hardest hike I’d ever endured, we looked upon the open world with triumph and new eyes.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Life at 10,000 Feet”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!
Hi, the Fabulous Fall Vacations and Getaways article it is well written, it’s very informative.
Hi, the Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article it is well written and is very useful.
I love spending time in London. I think if you want to spend time out of the city, Brighton is also a great place to visit, especially as it’s close by. There are a number of family-friendly hotels, too, like The Brighton Hotel:
This blog 11 Driving Tips for Easier Road
Trips helps me a lot with my battery problems. I use a simple
solutio for my battery from here: Kiss you all!
Thanks for sharing a great post!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most
certainly donate to this fantastic blog! I suppose for now i’ll
settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my
Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
Talk soon!
Yes Zeb!
It’s a steam excursion train, shorter ride, probably many kids on board. This would be better suited to younger children. Much better choice for the under-12 set.
Ralph
Originally created as a recreation area for employees of the Hershey Chocolate factory, today Hershey Park boasts plenty of chocolate paraphernalia, as well as roller coasters and a water park. Tickets include admission to the nearby ZOOAMERICA. Originally owned by the Knott’s jam producers, Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park is one of the older parks in the US, Knott’s Berry Farm is a classic for those looking for thrill rides, water rides and family fun.
Hi Ralph, thank you for your reply. I haven’t booked it yet as I had similar reservations that since it’s an 8-hr journey, it will not be wise to take the kids at this age but would love to take them on a shorter train tour, I’m currently looking at the Jacobite express (here in the UK).
Hello Zeb,
For children under 10, It would simply be too long a day in too confined a space for them, might get a little boring for them after the first 20 minutes; it’s an eight-hour journey.
If they are active, there isn’t a lot of room to run around on the train, which is smaller than the ones we are used to here in the U.S.
If you have already booked a space, and will have toddlers or young children, suggest you bring lots of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Ralph
A very good article! Thank you
Have been to Switzerland but missed the Glacier Express, I’ve heard it really one of the best train journeys in the World with amazing mountain/alps view. Is it good to travel with kids 7 and 4 years old) too, since it’s 8 hours long?
Sunlight, particularly in late summer and fall, sets off the production of anthocyanin. Cloudy weather dampens production and leads to less colorful displays. Many scientists argue that warming temperatures do not have much to do with the intensity of color, only with its timing: when it appears and how long it lasts. But Howard Neufeld, a professor of biology at Appalachian State University in North Carolina, said climate change could eventually affect the complex processes in leaf senescence and lower anthocyanin production, dulling the autumn reds.
Gladiator School – My new favorite thing to do in Rome. We did this on our last trip to Rome and both kids and adults absolutely loved it. Instructors are great. Highly recommended. Book far in advance. (Pictured above.) Walking Tour: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill – Excellent guided tour of Ancient Rome. Skip the line to enter all three sites. Very kid-friendly.
Deer Valley caters to families with kid-friendly skiing, child care programs and a limited child-to-instructor ratio. Because Deer Valley sells a limited number of daily lift tickets, tiny tots and pint-sized groms have plenty of room to work on their pizza wedge and French fries. Other amenities include a Children s Center, Adventure Camp and furry mascots on the Adventure Trails. I grew up skiing here and learned to love the mountains and snow at this resort. The amenities are top notch and the food is amazing. As a young kid, when the skiing got tough, I would always head inside and get delicious food and hot cocoa. See more Deer Valley reviews here .
Fall is very busy in the mountainous regions with the influx of leaf peepers from the New England area, around the United States and the world. In these extremely popular areas, you ll want to make lodging reservations at least several weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7-9, 2017) is another time in which advanced booking is advised throughout the region.
Awesome post!
Thanks for sharing a great post!
Hey, This article posted at this website is really good.
Guess me aand the squad gonna tour around Europe next year.
Thankful for my homies still stationed in Germany and Italy
Aw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual
effort to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never
manage to get nearly anything done.
Must say that you have share some really interesting information and the list has many options for one’s family vacation. And the images that you have used in the article are amazing too! US is such an amazing place. Thanks for sharing these ideas with us, it was a good read.
Traveling to other cities with your kiddos? Don’t miss Curbed’s maps of the best family activities
Good to know : West Valley is open daily from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Apples are $0.85 a pound. Follow their Facebook page for updates on U-pick apples. And be sure to bring containers for their popular juice pressed right on site!
Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great pick for outdoor-loving families thanks to kid-friendly (and free) favorites like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, home to more than 40 outdoor works of art
You can’t go wrong with a safari and I would recommend booking with a company like Timbuktu Travel. Have a look at their safari travel tips – .
The K Bar S Lodge, built in 2006, is located a short distance from Mount Rushmore. It is quietly secluded on 31 forested acres and away from busy streets. Battle Creek winds its way throughout the property and the large meadow in front of the Lodge is often a playground for deer and turkeys. As a single traveler it was so fun to be with this group. It s much nicer to be with others when you share a great experience or see something wonderful. And, it s safer than traveling alone. I m hooked on Road Scholar.
Rockefeller State Park offers seasonal activities including hiking, running, bird-watching, fishing ( New York state fishing license required), picnicking, horseback-riding, carriage-driving, photography, painting, and geocaching (park permit required). Sleepy Hollow and neighboring Tarrytown have a deep immigrant history resulting in a rich mix of cuisines: Italian, Greek, Mexican, Indian, French, Portuguese, Irish, Japanese, Dominican, Chinese, Ecuadorian, Thai, Moroccan, and Chilean. Foodies should not miss the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow farmers market at Patriots Park where you ll find fresh Hudson Valley produce, meat, bread, and wine.
Speaking of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, don t miss out on seeing the Rockettes show-stopping leg kick precision chorus during the holidays at Radio City Music Hall.
Jimmy Buffet s restaurant is a short walk from the Comfort Suites Paradise Island Hotel and Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. What could be better than eating a literal Cheeseburger in Paradise? Pairing it with a yummy margarita, of course.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup.
Make sure you check out the new sustainable Christmas Market in Berlin!! Its located by Hacksnshiremarkt!
What s more exhilarating than seeing the city from 108 floors above the world-famous Las Vegas Strip? Jumping off it. Strap in and face your fear as you jump off the side of SkyPod at The STRAT.
Have you ever dreamed of creating your own ice sculpture? The Quebec Winter Carnival has just what you’re looking for! Bring your group to our Ice Sculpture Workshops under the guidance of a team led by none other than Marc Lepire, chief sculptor of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace! During this one-hour event, you will learn the workflow of master sculptors and enjoy the unique experience of carving your own solid ice block with your group of 2 to 4 people. Free all-you-can-drink hot chocolate will keep you warm throughout the frosty fun.
When you’re travelling with your kids, indoor-fun options are a must no matter what the season. Montreal saves the day with all kinds of activities, from adventurous physical feats to skill-testing games and educational entertainment.
Hi everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this site, and piece of writing is actually fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of content.| ?
Very ?nteresting topic, thank you for posting.
As I website owner I believe the content material here is very superb, thanks for your efforts.
Make sure to have lists of important contacts, in case of any emergency like health issue, car issue, towing issue (for emergency roadside assistance nyc), police issue, these all contacts make a trip safe and secure
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and
I am waiting for your further write ups thank you once again.
Thanks for sharing a great post!
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
I like to write a little comment to support you.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually
realize what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally consult with my
website =). We will have a hyperlink alternate agreement among us
I am interested in taking a family vacation with my 2 children.
Great Read! Travelling with your family is one of the most exciting way to spend your holidays. If you are wondering where to travel next, here are some of the best vacation spots in the world.
Nice information thanks for sharing us.
Awesome post!
Thanks for sharing..
Thanks for sharing a great post!
We have traveled through several airports in Germany but never Munich. We will keep Munich on our list for the next trip through Europe since it sounds like the best place to have a stop over with kids. Thanks for the review and the information for kids to do in Munich Airport.
Greetings! I am going to be moving to Brooklyn from Minnesota in the beginning of February! My dad and I plan to take on the journey and would love to take your car with us! Contact me if you need your car out in NYC. Thanks.