Peru

18th July – 14th August 2016

Quite possibly the most beautiful country in the world, Peru is a place of life-changing potential. For a month at the age of 16, I explored its diversity of culture and landscape, from the Eden ecosystem of the Amazon Rainforest, to the dry, high Andes, to the desert outer strip along the Pacific Ocean, all alongside a brilliant expedition team, and our infallible leader, Bug. In Peru, I found myself totally immersed and never more alive, ready for a life of adventure.

Highlights from this extraordinary expedition included streaming and and camping along the Madre di Dios river (a major tributary of the Amazon); visiting Azul Wasi, a boys’ school in outer Cusco, the Incan capital; pushing my limits on the 8-day Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu, and sandboarding on the flanks of Huacachina, desert oasis.

From forest floor to canopy, there is no comparing the lush beauty of the Amazon Rainforest.

4,500 metres up and climbing: the high road to Machu Picchu on the ‘very challenging’ 8-day Choquequirao Trek. This photo won ‘Best Expedition Photo’ in the Outlook Expeditions Photography Competition 2016.

This was a life-changing experience which I truly believe set me up to pursue a life of adventure, and to always challenge myself. Endurance and perseverance. It was also a rare chance to go remote and experience deathly vulnerability, for example, poised on the edge of hidden Incan ruins with a 1000m drop into a steep-sided valley below, and snow and ice 2000m+ above. At the time of writing, I still have wild goals of becoming a mountaineer and explorer; experiences like this one in Peru motivate me to continue my pursuit.

However, my adventures across Peru would have been nothing without the company of my expedition team and support from Outlook Expeditions, and, of course, Bug. Teamwork, co-operation and laughter are everything when you are several days’ away from mobile signal or modern civilisation. You also need others to share the cathartic experience of not being able to shower for a week, and someone to encourage you to keep going when you have been going steeply uphill for the last 6 hours and camp is still 2 hours away. Or when you are craving your favourite foods but all you have is a pack of dry cracker biscuits! The shared trials are all part of the experience.

Today, I recall my expedition in Peru anytime that mental or physical challenges come my way, or when I am working towards a long-term goal. This could be a university deadline, work project, or a fitness challenge, so in looking back with admiration, I can look forward with determination.

Some selected highlights are featured below.