Trip Advisor Ranks Machu Picchu Third on List of 10 Most Amazing Places in the World

Trip Advisor, one of the major travel guides, published a ranking of the 10 most amazing places in the world, placing our wonderful Citadel of Machu Picchu on the third position. The publish reports of these ruins of the former center of worship, show us a royal retreat that sprawls across the landscape, it is an awesome display of staircases, carved tombs and sacred temples.
The "Lost City" is available by train from Cuzco or a multi-day trek trail if you feel adventurous.

MOCHE ROUTE TO BE FEATURED IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE

The main attractions along the Moche Route -involving Lambayeque and La Libertad regions in northern Peru- will be featured in the National Geographic magazine through a special report prepared by two Dutch investigative journalists, who are currently stationed in the country. Franciscus Lemmens and his photojournalist Eric Van
Den Berg arrived in Trujillo a few days to visit the archaeological complex of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city constructed in the Pre-Columbian Americas and the capital city of the Chimu Tribe, predating the Incan Empire in Peru.The head of the Executing Unit Nº 110 Cristobal Campana told newsmen about the Nik An Palace or
Tschudi (the main star), where anyone can observe much of the embossed decoration of the important historic monument.
According to Lemmens, the report will be published in English and will consist of 14 pages. It is intended to serve as an informative and graphical guide for foreign tourists, he said."It may also be published in Spanish," he added.After visiting Trujillo, journalists continued their journey and headed to Lambayeque. They also plan to visit Cajamarca in the northern highlands of Peru.The Moche Route includes archaeological wonders like the tomb of the Lord of Sipan
and the pyramids of Tucume, in Lambayeque; and the Huacas del Sol y la Luna as well as Chan Chan, in La Libertad.

Hotel Monasterio and Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Chosen Among The Best In The World

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Hotel Monasterio and the luxury train Hiram Bingham, of the collection Orient-Express, were announced winners in different categories of the prize Readers'Travel Awards´ of the prestigious magazine Condé Nast Traveller, in a ceremony held this month in London. Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is in the position 8 among the best hotels of America and the Caribe; the Hotel Monasterio also occupies the position 20
of the list. Finally, the train Hiram Bingham operated by PeruRail, also was chosen among the best in its class in the world occupying  the position 7 by its excellent service.

Study of the Galapagos Albatross aka the Waved Albatross

The Galapagos or “Waved” Albatross is the largest seabird on the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and an endemic species, only found on the Galapagos Archipelago. To enhance their uniqueness, they exclusively nest on the southern island of Española or Hood. These magnificent birds, masters of the sea and wind currents, come regularly to breed and nest on Española Island, every year, between May and December. The rest of the year, when the islands become warmer in temperature and the inland waters poorer in food sources, they migrate to remote corners of the Pacific.

Such is their importance, that an ongoing field study to monitor them is being conducted for years by the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station, to learn more about their population size, habits, dynamics and threats, in order to guarantee their long-term preservation and appropriate management measures. Scientists Doctors David Anderson, Kate Huywaert and Jill Awkerman from Colorado State University along with Ecuadorian research associate Gustavo Jimenez have been regularly monitoring the main nesting sites of the Galapagos Albatrosses, since more than a decade. The focal points are both located on the south side of Española Island, at Punta Suarez and Punta Cevallos.

Since 1999, some 4500 albatrosses have been banded and followed to study their flying patterns and distance accomplishments while away from the islands; their feeding habits and habitats while breeding and roosting in the Archipelago, as well as while flying for months over the Ocean. The most recent figures show a relatively stable population, somewhere around 35.000 individuals, with a small declining tendency detected in the last years. This might be related, according to preliminary conclusions of the studies, to the use of dangerous fishing techniques such as the long-lines and, occasionally, to natural phenomena like El Niño events. The study’s predominant aim is to establish and update the species’ population status and their main threats. On the most recent field trip, two hundred individuals were surveyed and a capture-and-recapture program methodology was standardized.

The name “waved” albatross derives from the undulating brown patterns found horizontally along their dazzling white breast, which contrasts with the dark brown of their wings and backs. A very long, sturdy, wide, pointed and hooked beak, of a bright yellow color, makes these birds a marvel to watch, both on land, in flight or sometimes floating adrift, in large numbers, over the ocean’s surface. They nest on the bare ground, preferably close to cliff areas, from where they can take flight making use of the upward wind currents, considering their big body’s weight. They feed on mid-sized fish and squid, captured by plunge diving mostly in open waters, a distance away from their only home island.

For the travelers, the only place where these marvelous creatures can be seen is in Punta Suarez, on the southwestern extreme of Española Island, an authorized National Park visitor’s site, where, between May and July, a fabulous courtship dance is staged by them, featuring a dramatic and perfectly synchronized “bill-fencing” match between the courting pair, complemented by antics such as bill-hiding under the wing; bill clapping and snatching and curious “uuuuuing” and siren-type sounds. On the following months they will guard the nest, male and female taking turns, while the other bird in the pair searches for food.

After approximately 55 days, the large single egg will hatch and reveal a large, clumsy and somewhat “sloppy” looking good-sized ball of brown fluff, the newly born chick. The pair will also take turns at protecting the chick and bringing in its food, which is provided to them by using the typical sea-bird technique of regurgitating the semi-digested fish oil directly inside the chick’s throat. Towards November, the young birds begin their flying practices, near and along the cliff sides, ready to leave, together with the adults, on their first off-shore voyage, when the scorching January to March heat reaches the islands.

This is a perfect example of how and why the Galapagos are considered a “Living Laboratory of Nature”; providing the scientists and naturalists with great research and studying opportunities; while the tourists, on the right time and itineraries, can be witnesses of one more of the marvels of Galapagos nature, represented by these unique and enchanting birds...

Sharing your Adventure Travel using Tripline.net

We are super stoked to be kicking off our blog by talking about the great folks at Tripline.net   Tom, one of our managing directors, is a daily reader of TechCrunch and saw the post on Drawing Your Itinerary On A Tripline Map 

"I had been planning on using Google Earth to pull together some fly-over tours of our trips.  Tripline.net one-ups that with the ability to for our customers to copy our itineraries then post their individual stories and photos."

 Many of our tour descriptions include a Tripline.net map.  Just look for it at the bottom of our itinerary tab.