HAVING spent three hours hiking the verdant Andes in gentle but persistent drizzle, the clouds start to clear and the prospect of some sunshine becomes promising. “Remember,” our guide Henry warns, “this is a cloud forest. There are no guarantees.
” I’m on an eight-day tour of Peru, which sees me exploring cultures past and present, from the contemporary buzzing metropolis of the capital Lima, to the ancient Inca Empire – where I am now, trekking the sacred Inca Trail. Fortunately, by the time we arrive at Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate viewpoint four hours – and seven miles – later, it has proven its namesake true. “You’re lucky,” Henry concedes.
“I thought it may be the Misty-And-Cloudy Gate today.” The gateway sits slightly higher and 2km from the famous ruins – which we explore after basking in the glorious vistas. With the sun bearing down, we are treated to unparalleled views of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
I kicked off my Peruvian adventure three days earlier, in bustling Lima – home to one-third of the country’s 34 million inhabitants – where I soon stumbled upon a statue commemorating Peru’s most famous export, Paddington Bear. Decked out in a coat bearing the Union Flag, he is a strangely comforting sight when I’m more than 6,000 miles from home. Peru is also the home of ceviche, its national dish, so it seems only right to assign myself the job of finding the best.
After many attempts, with varying degrees of success, I.
