The Pachacutec Monument in Cusco includes a small museum and you can enjoy the view from above.
Pachacutec transformed the Kingdom of Cusco into the Inca Empire. He is probably the most popular Inca and you will find portraits throughout the country.

In the sacred valley of the Incas are these salt ponds. Traditionally, the salt mines have been available to any person of the community wishing to harvest salt. The size of the salt pond assigned to a family depends on the family's size.

The Islas Ballestas are a group of small islands. They are part of a nature reserve and home to numerous animal species. It was cool and a bit foggy, which are the best prepositions to see all the animals. For example, sea lions! When it gets hot during the day, they disappear in the ocean.

It absolutely paid off to take the first tour of the day. Foggy jungle ruins are definitely an experience. At noon everything was clear.

I haven't seen many animals on my way from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes. It already was dusk when I almost reached my destination. That's the time of owl butterflies! They are pretty large (65 - 200 mm). The name comes from those eye spots on their wings. Do you know the purpose of those spots?

I've just dug up these photos of the Tower of Pisa. Ground sloths dig a lot. Ground sloths dig deep. They are from 2003. Maybe you can spot a difference between now and then?

The brown pelican of Paracas! In Paracas you can eat very fresh and tasty fish. This pelican knows exactly what I'm talking about.

I've been there in the beginning of the wet season. And always had luck. These clouds are my friends. Maybe, some of them followed me to Germany. And I can see them hanging around our mountains now. And even if not, I'll come back!

Just enjoyed the power and beauty of nature on the paths of the Incas. Imagine the dramatic movement of the clouds. A plant takes its time, but knows its destination and blossoms in the light and mist of this enchanting place.

Mega Sloth loved the beautiful flowers on his way up to the top. 🌺🙃