Hiking in the Cañón del Colca, Peru
One of my most memorable journeys was trekking through the Cañón del Colca in Peru. It wasn’t a typical vacation — it felt wonderfully unconventional. Instead of hotels, the villages had little flags outside houses, signaling whether travelers could find food or lodging. I ended up staying with local families, sharing meals, and listening to their stories, which made the whole experience profoundly enriching.
The scenery was sublime — soaring cliffs, tranquil valleys, and the awe-inspiring sight of giant condors drifting silently overhead. What struck me most was the absence of crowds. It felt almost like an intimate encounter with a hidden world, largely untouched by mass tourism.
That trip reshaped how I think about travel: not just rushing from one landmark to another, but embracing slowness, connection, and a deeper sense of place.
Vocabulary:
trekking – going on a long, challenging journey on foot, “Last summer, I spent two weeks trekking through the Scottish Highlands.”
unconventional – different from what is usually done or expected, “She had an unconventional approach to teaching that really engaged her students.”
lodging – a place to stay, such as a hotel or guesthouse, “We found simple lodging near the beach for the weekend.”
enriching – providing valuable or rewarding experiences, “Learning a new language is an enriching activity that opens up new opportunities.”
sublime – of such beauty or grandeur that it inspires great admiration, “The orchestra’s performance was absolutely sublime.”
awe-inspiring sight – something so impressive it fills you with wonder, “Watching the Northern Lights was an awe-inspiring sight I’ll never forget.”
giant condors – very large birds, often found in South America, “While hiking in Patagonia, we spotted several giant condors soaring above the cliffs.”
overhead – located above your head, “The clouds hung low overhead, making the mountains look even more dramatic.”
intimate encounter – a personal, close, or deeply meaningful experience with someone or something, “Meeting the artist backstage was an intimate encounter I’ll always remember.”
hidden – not easily seen or discovered, “We found a hidden waterfall deep in the forest.”
rushing – moving quickly, often in a hurried or hectic way, “She was rushing to finish her presentation before the deadline.”
landmark – a famous or important building, structure, or location, “The Eiffel Tower is the most famous landmark in Paris.”