1) Orange Beach and Gulf Shores :

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores is one of the happening destinations in Alabama which is truly rejuvenating and worth visiting. Surrounded by pristine beaches, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores gives you the optimum opportunity to enjoy some adventurous activities in the sea or catch the excitement of Golf at the golf courses. If you love to take a stroll on the beaches and enjoy fishing, then Orange beach and Gulf Shores is your gateway to connect with fun and adventure. If you love to see historical monuments, then you should definitely visit Fort Morgan. Fort Morgan was the battlefield where the civil war of Mobile Bay took place. If you are looking for a place to take a nap in the lap of Mother Nature, then there is no better place than Orange beach and Gulf Shores.

2) Horseshoe Bend National Military Park :

Get a glimpse of history at this park of Alabama which is really inspiring, informative and tells you the saga of Creek war which took place on March 27th 1814. Horseshoe bend national park was the battleground where Andrew Jackson with a army of 3300 soldiers clashed with the upper creek warriors. It is been said that more than 800 valiant Upper Creeks soldiers sacrificed their life resisting the enemies of their soil.

3) Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo :

Opened to public in 1989, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is governed by Zoo Foundation Inc. Alabama Gulf Coast zoo is a delightful destination in Alabama where several local citizens, travelers, tourists and explorers come to visit this park. Take a time out to visit this zoo and let your kids enjoy seeing various wild life species ranging from macaws, lions, tigers to monkeys as well as bears. Even the regular animal shows held at this zoo are entertaining.

4) Goose Pond Colony :

If you love Golfing, then Goose Pond Colony, the rejuvenating resort of Alabama gives you the space and convenience to enjoy golf. Surrounded by swimming pool and lake cottages, Goose Pond Colony is the perfect destination where you can enjoy your vacation to your heart’s content. The Edith Newman Culver Memorial Museum at this resort is truly exciting to visit and see several antiques and remains of civil war.

There are several other destinations like Bellingrath gardens, Noccalula Falls and Park, Alabama Space Camp which are worth visiting at Alabama.

To make a journey a little more exciting, you can opt for boat rides for reaching Manaus. This city is one of the major boating destinations on Amazon River. If you start from Belem, a place on Atlantic Coast, you will need around 5 days for reaching Manaus. Boat rides to places like Tabatinga (a city on the border of Columbia), Proto Velho, Iquitos (a city of Peru) etc can also be availed from Manaus.

Some also prefer to take bus rides for reaching Manaus. However, the road conditions of the bus route are not the best. Due to bad roads, very few long distance bus services have originated in this area. You can get into a bus from Caracas, Venezuela that will take you to Manaus within 36 hours. The journey would be quite comfortable as the bus is an air-conditioned one and boasts reclining seats. To enhance the comfort factor, the bus also has a toilet.

Coming back to Monte Verde, its ruins are really well preserved. As per the outcome of 30 years of research, the relics occupy the upper levels called Monte Verde II. These relics signify a small settlement featuring not more than 12 huts as well as tents made for 20 to 30 people who lived at one location for a year with wide collecting, fishing, and hunting skills. This indicates about the typical living style of the initial American colonists. Besides huts and tents, extinct llama, an array of vegetables, nuts, shellfish, and most surprisingly a still-identifiable mass of mastodon meat have been found here, which logically point out to their diet. Besides these things, a single footprint believed to be of a small child can still be seen near a fireside. In addition, a set of radiocarbon along with the charcoal as well as bone from the hearths have revealed that Monte Verde is some 13,000 to 14,000 years ago rendering it one of the most ancient, but well-settled civilizations in America.

Preservation as an outcome of its location inside a gallery peat bayou on a small creek tributary’s alluvial terrace was really noteworthy. Everything can be seen in the site levels – seeds, plants, leaves, mortars, wooden lances, digging sticks, countless stone tools, soft tissues, and animal bones. Besides these artifacts, there are relics of two hut structures indicated by a relic of tent peg in wood, foundations and floors, and over 20 hearths as well as braziers. A majority of the structures seen today were tent-like edifices structures, such as the one illustrated in the photo.

One more worth looking structure at Monte Verde II is the Medicinal Hut that possesses a wish-bone shaped foundation due to which it is called so currently. Inside this hut, preserved pieces of seaweed leaves of the Pacific along with the nine plant species were found, which the residents might have cultivated in the intertidal pools as well as on the rocky coastlines besides the Seno de Reloncavi estuary. Out of these nine species, two of them are not apt for eating, but are just fine to be used for medicinal purposes only. Not only this, seaweed was also recognized on the rims of the stone tools that scatter across the Monte Verde II. Further, a cap of seaweed was also seen, which was assumed to be chewed. Seaweed is the best holder of iron, zinc, iodine, hormones, protein, and other elements. So, eating seaweed would definitely help in increasing the cholesterol metabolism, antibiotic effects, calcium uptake of bones, and ability to fight infection. All these facts unveil that the seaweed for not only used for medicines, but also for making tools and consumption.

Besides seaweeds, the other plants of Monte Verde II are found to be native to remote areas such as forests, inland wetlands, Andes foothills, and river bottoms. Among the medicinal plants, two of them belong to the Patagonian plains that are now in Argentina. All these facts tell us that the occupants of the Monte Verde possessed a wide knowledge of the available resources, which means that they might have followed an extensive exchange system or that it might have helped them for a long-term settlement.

Controversy

Monte Verde is in a hot debate with regards to be the first realistic evidence for the presence of humans in the continent before the Clovis culture, as its dates 14,000 calendar years back. By contrast, the Clovis settlements date back between 12,800-12,900 calendar years, featuring a different hunting lifestyle.

In this hidden gem of Colombia, there is also a funeral complex made by the pre-Columbian people who used to dwell here at the time of 1st century AD. Although not much have been yet discovered about these ancestral folks, it has been concluded that the detailed spots in the patterns as well as sculptures bear a resemblance to the motifs of the San Agustín culture up to a certain extent. Until today, a series of over 35 tombs can be seen here, which are quarried beneath the face of several wonderful hilltops. Such a place of burial tombs continues to bewilder the experts today. The yet to be unveiled mystery flanking the tombs as well as the figurines scattered all over the grounds and hills encourages one and all to explore the park. And yes, we all would just love to hike amidst the scenic landscape for discovering the puzzling underground cave-like tombs. Okay, do you still doubt if I tell you that these hypogea/tombs of the hills are designated as a World Heritage Site? However, I accept one thing that there are not too many ruins to see, as much has been plundered here before the site was declared as a park for its preservation.

Things to do and eat

For a more unique experience, on Saturday, take yourself to the Inza market in the town to know about the interesting facts of the Paez Indian culture. In addition, take a tour of the mountains where small Indian hamlets are just worthy to explore. Okay, as you do so, do not forget to taste the special flavors here – a local drink that is known as guarapo sold in local dwellings and hongos (mushrooms) of which the latter is to be consumed with some trusted friends rather than having it alone. After savoring your taste buds, be ready to watch some beautiful birds as this is site is the birdwatchers’ paradise.

Duration

In short, your excursion to Tierradentro should be of at least a week so that you can explore all the above stated highlights. And yes, there are plenty of hotels nearby.

Reaching Tierradentro

From the San Andres De Pisimbala town, this park is very close due to which you require only 30 minutes of walk. Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Popayan that will take 6 hours to reach here. From the park, buses are there for La Plata (3 hours) from where San Agustin or Bogota can be reached quite easily.

The park is nestled at a distance of 3 km from the stop, which invokes the need of walking. You will first come across the entrance as well as two museums. All the attractions here are only reachable by strolling; therefore, you should have that stamina to just walk around the museums as well as underground tombs. If at all strolling is not your choice due to some health problem, think of touring the site by renting a horse at the spend of $2.5 per hour. I would just recommend visiting the two museums first so that you will get a better view of what you will be exploring in the park.

Entrance fee

You will need to purchase a ticket for $2.5 from the museum (2 days validity).

Timings

8 am to 4 pm.

Nestled on the hillside to take the benefit of the altitude changes, this sprawling citadel has been the eye-witness of major battles. Sacsayhuaman today is just a series of multiple walls each behind the other of which the frontal ones are smaller than the rear ones. As you go inwards, you will find yourself climbing higher. The stones of these walls are considered as one of the largest ones to be utilized in any structure of prehispanic America. Its fitting accuracy is not seen anywhere else in the continent in the sense that they are so exactly spaced that you just cannot insert even a single piece of paper in between. It is this precision along with the circular block corners, inward bend, and interlocking shapes that have protected the walls from devastating earthquakes. Okay, your trip here will not be only ambling along the walls, but it will also include marveling at some highlights.

One of the most mysterious highlights here is the Muyuc Marca that refer to the relics of an old tower here as a small set of three concentric round wall ruins linked by an array of radial walls. Here, some three water channels are discovered perhaps utilized for feeding the reservoir that was in the middle. It is believed that the three giant towers here used to stand overlooking the puma teeth. Unlike the middle ring that is circular, the other two are rectangular. Look for a web-like sight of 34 lines meeting in the middle along with the concentric circles indicating the location of the round walls. To the north of the green plaza, spot the Rodadero featuring several steps as well as benches taking you up to the Inca’s throne. This is well you can imagine the majesty of Sacsayhuaman. This place is complete with warerways, tunnels, channels, mazes, and vaulted niches. And yes, from here, the view is amazing. Just look down from the throne across the parade ground (plaza) and you will the breathtaking zigzag walls that were constructed fully only after 50 years.

An interesting fact is that this large, flat zone was where the Incas celebrated the Inti Raymi on June 24. Dedicated to the sun god, the festival features ceremonial events as well as historical figures of which the more famous are Sapa Inca or his wife, Mama Occla. Playing these roles was considered as a great honor. The kick-off for the celebration used to be an invocation by the Sapa who invokes the blessings of the sun in the square before the Santo Domingo church erected above the old Temple of the Sun. He was then carried on a golden throne as a part of a procession until Sacsayhuaman. The plaza marks this place where huge crowds used to eagerly wait for the procession after which the Sapa Inca ascends to the holy altar perched high so that all can see him. On this grand square, Sapa Inca used to give speeches.  When the sun starts to set, straw stacks were kept on blaze around which the celebrants sing and dance in the memory of Tawantinsuty (Empire of the Four Wind Directions).

If you come here after sunset, the entire remains are lit up with the different colored lights that clearly highlights the three levels of the meandering fortifications.

Best time to visit

June 24 as that is the day of the Sun festival.

For the tourists, there are magnificent temples, soaring pyramid, symbolic gates, temping monoliths, and peculiar face carvings seeming to be more of the aliens. As similar as the other megalithic ruins elsewhere, Tiahuanaco also holds a few most stunning architectural styles that adorn the monumental temples. Well, if you want to know the most outstanding structure, it is none other than the pyramid of Akapana standing over a natural formation. Although it is a termed as a pyramid, it is a square in shape with the flat summit whose center is not only oval, but is also sunken due to which it is believed to be a water storage or as the outcome of the Spanish plunderers’ digging. However, this pyramid has lost its charm as several stones were robbed to make the local dwellings.

Walk now a bit towards the north and explore the worthy Kalasasaya Temple that is believed to be a ceremonial platform representing Earth. Composed of andesite and red sandstone, its big entrance is reachable via the steps flanked by two monolithic standings. There is also a remade portico that meets the inner courtyard along with the remains of the priests’ quarters. As you go in, secondary platforms become visible where a myriad of additional monoliths stand like the Priest (El Fraile). At the corner of the northwest, discover the stunning Gateway of the Sun (Puerta del Sol). As the name suggest, it is linked to the sun god and is thought to be used as a calendar. On it, you can minutely spot the bas-reliefs designs, an array of four profound alcoves, and a model of a deity. In contrast at the west end, the Gateway of the Moon (Puerta de la Luna) stands, which is comparatively smaller and that it is decorated with the animal carvings.

If you go in the east of the main entrance of the temple, a wide stretching structure called Templete Semisubterraneo emerges, which is also called the Semi-subterranean Temple. This one is regarded as the symbolic representation of the Underworld, an obvious conclusion by its name. Fully carved from red sandstone, the temple boasts walls that are sculpted with over 150 interesting human faces as well as rectangular sunken courtyard. Now, these so-called faces of humans are pretty much close to what we called as aliens today. Yes, this is a mystery that is to be solved as to how the Incas knew about the aliens. Have they seen the aliens or was it just their imagination? Were the Incas so ahead of us in terms of science, architecture, and astronomy? I think, to some extent, yes!

To the west is the still being excavated spot of Putuni or Palacio de los Sarcofagos that refers to a bug rectangular zone. At its eastern end, you will encounter debris that is now termed as Kantatayita adorned with the fabulous geometrical designs. One more highlight of Tiahuanaco is in the south of this complex across the railroad tracks, which is known as the Puma Punku or the Gateway of the Puma. This is a religious complex of giant as well as heavy megaliths.

Astronomical significance/Best day to visit

21st June, the day of winter solstice in southern hemisphere, is the best day to visit Tiahuanaco. As the sun comes up, the beam enters the east temple entrance and that scene is really commendable. Locally, the event is marked as the Aymara New Year (Machaj Mara) drawing countless travelers each year along with the New Age cliques.

Watch out for the locals who have put on their vivid ceremonial robes and will greet you to party with them. In this celebration, you will not dance until sunset, but will also chew coca and drink special singani. In addition, you will see the disappointing event of sacrificing llamas. What is even more indulging is the fairs of the local artisans.

Celebrations are also held on the other days of solstices or equinoxes, but they are on a small scale.

Reaching Tiahuanaco

It is obvious that one needs to arrive here prior to sunrise. Therefore, from La Paz, special buses leave at around 4 am. Many of them plan to arrive before a few days of the solstice and stay in camps outside the site.

Tour timings

Daily: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Cost

Bs15.

Shrouded in mystery!

According to me, Ingapirca is still a splendid archaeological site to which the partially appealing scenery adds its own glow – the lonely hills of Southern Sierra. Despite the fact that several artifacts have been excavated, nobody is still sure about its purpose rendering it as the ‘Incan History’s Mystery’. However, the ruins present here via its unique features seem to yell “Inca!” and so it was found to be an Incan town. Several theories about its purpose exist of which a famous one is of a ceremonial center as the ruins were found atop an old structural complex.

Adorned with true architectural gems!

The most vital structure here is the Temple of the Sun – an oval edifice showing off the standard Incan architecture such as no use of mortar. This only feature of their structural design have left several archeologists as well as historians amazed. In fact, the whole of Ingapirca is the outstanding model that reflects the hand abilities of these famous ancestors of ours along with the knowledge possessed by them. This temple is erected to also unveil the astronomical know-how of the Incans. On the days of solstices, the light of the sun passes exactly from the middle of a doorway tucked on the top of a chamber. However, today, many parts have collapsed.

Look for Ingachungana that is the home of a ritual altar. It is believed that several sacrifices had taken place over it due to which it is named ‘Silla del Inca’ – ‘Throne of the Inca’. Besides this carved rock formation, a natural formation also exists, which is known as the Face of Inca – Cara del Inca.

Known for these days

I recommend coming to Ingapirca around 24th June so that you can celebrate the Festival of the Sun that is also known as Inti Raymi. In the past, the Incans celebrated it on the winter solstice day as a religious event devoted to their utmost revered deity, Sun (Inti). Now, this makes it very clear that the festival’s venue was the Temple of the Sun. Today, the true atmosphere of this event is recreated in a few areas of South America for the locals and tourists on June 24. If you can make up for attending this festival before the ruins, your this little effort will reveal much more about the ruins as well as the Incans.

Offered accommodations

The hamlets just close to the ruins suitable for night stays are El Tambo and Canar. The reason why I am asking you to stay here is prevention of huge traffic later. I mean if you travel on June 24th, you will have to bear much crowd. So, plan for staying here before this day and do not be in a hurry in returning back.

Recommended trips

From Cuenca, it is a two hour journey through bus, which will give you a chance to enjoy the great site views. However, you must plan well in advance. From Cuenca, your overall trip will be of seven hours. A bus tour is good as it includes not only the transportation fees, but also the guide as well as food charges. Such a tour mostly begins at 8 am after which it will have stops for meals and shopping.

Tip

To book an ideal local tour company, your hotel in Cuenca is the best place of inquiry.

Choquequirao also acted as the check point to the zone of Vilcabamba region. Its urban design boasts symbolic imperial patterns; ritual places for the Inti (sun god), earth, water, and ancestors; mansions for officials; dwellings for locals, warehouses, dormitories, and cultivated terraces. On the site, you will mostly come across the traditional Inca terraces that are the largest carvings here. Around the central square are a few administrative buildings, temple, and the living quarters for the nobles. If you explore its outskirts, there exist the living quarters for the locals, which are grouped to form a small hamlet. Besides these structures, you will also encounter aqueducts, water channels, and water springs. The best part is that a majority of these structures are well-preserved as well as well-restored.

Over half of this Inca ceremonial center is free of vegetation, which is actually not good for the environment although it might be fine for easy tourist trekking. Speaking about the remaining area, it is a complex terrace system majestically adorning the very steep slopes, which contains a stunning stairway of 180 terraces. The complex descends right from a flank to touch the river wherein one can easily and safely swim (but not alone).

Peru is famous for its adventurous holidays and so reaching Choquequirao is also that thrilling. It requires trekking for two days mostly reimbursed by the wonderful landscape that itinerants traverse right since the kick-off of their expedition. Currently, trekking is through a contemporary footbridge that is above the Apurimac River. There is no doubt that the journey is overwhelming, which takes one on a tour amazing ecological zones – the farming Andean valleys, hot and arid canyon descent, and the green environment canopied by the blue skies featuring dizzying snow of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, kapok trees, agaves, cactus, and lush cloud forest.

Your expedition (route) begins at Cachora that refers to a small city in the Apurímac province once you tour for nearly four hours from Cusco on the paved-cum-dirty road (150 km of which 10 km is full of dirt). I would suggest contacting mule packers who can turn out to be very good guides. In the town, there is one accommodation run by a local family, which is a good option.

Climate

This is certainly not predictable although there is clear cut dry and wet seasons. Dry days are from May to October/November, while the wet ones are from December to April. However, as the site is in the forested Amazon basin, showers can wet you anytime. So, do always carry your full rain gear (jacket as well as trousers). As the Apurimac Canyon becomes very roasted during the day, think of swimming in the river.

Tips

Carry sunglasses, camera, water, sun hat, insect lotion, sunscreen, sleeping bag, one full clothing per day, sweater, trekking shoes, coramina (glucose), flashlight, batteries, personal toiletries, medications, Peruvian currency, and a wind jacket.

Spend a minimum of two nights prior to trekking for acclimatizing to the altitude. For full fun, combining Choquequirao trekking and Machu Picchu along with Amazon adventure is recommended.

Both Cristo de la Concordia as well as Cristo Redentor carvings are as tall as over 33 m. This number as great significance in the sense that each meter symbolizes each corresponding year of Jesus’ life on the planet. Exactly revealing, the height of Christ of Peace is 34.2 m as the builders believed that Jesus lived a bit more over 33 years. Today, Cristo de la Concordia stands on a podium giving a boost to its full height to reach 40.44 m. In addition, this Bolivian statue is fairly new as compared to its counterpart in Rio, which was erected from 1987 to 1994.

How to reach

Cristo de la Concordia is perched on a 265 m tall hill that looks over the Cochobamba city that is already at an elevation of 2575 m from the sea level. So, reaching to the base of the statue is no child’s play for which you need to climb the stairs that are a total of 1,399 in number.

It is obvious that while climbing many visitors have experienced altitude sickness featuring heavy headache, giddiness, and breath shortness. Therefore, I recommend acclimatizing to avoid that unhealthy distraction – meaning climb up by taking short breaks and rest. And yes, just spend some time at the top below the feet of our beloved Lord! And the result is miraculous – no altitude sickness at all! However, climbing is the option only for the energetics. So, the rest of them are recommended to catch a cable car (teleferico) from the end of Heroinas Avenue – a sweatless as well as safer way that will only cost 3 BOB that is not even 50 US cents. This way is also recommended because the route of steps that takes one atop from the base of the mountain is somewhat risky as many robberies have been witnessed, especially if you go around and after the time of sunset. So, take this as a tip, avoid going at sunset and in dark. If you come on Sunday, grab the opportunity to ascend until the top of the statue and soak in the better vista of the city.

Irrespective of how reach on the peak, you are bound to be gifted by the magnificent vistas of the city along the towering statue of Jesus whose right hand is in the North and left is in the South. As the lord faces the lower valley zone, you will also get a chance to spot the peak of Tunari (4,800 m) as well as the Cochabamba peak – highest twin peaks here. On the hill, there is no restaurant or coffee shop making many to descend down quickly.

Timings

Monday: Closed

Tues-Sat: 10 am to 7 pm

Sun: 9 am to 8 pm

Charges

• Cable car: Bs3 per way
• Cable car round-trip: US$0.80
• Taxi round-trip (with 30 minutes halt): US$4.50
• Sunday climb: US$0.20

Closest transport

Micro LL from the Heroinas’ corner.

Reaching Los Roques

To arrive at Los Roques, there are only two ways of which the most spectacular is by air – thanks to the different blues of the waters present here. From Caracas, it is just a 40-minute flight in a small plane that will land on Gran Roque that is the only village in this preserved park. Alternatively, you can also catch a flight from the Margarita Island’s Porlamar. Other way to come here is by your own yacht. Can you make out a hidden, but an obvious fact from the above sentences? Well, that is about your accommodation that is only available in Gran Roque in form of villa-style hotels and posadas (inns).

Getting around

Overall, the islands of the Los Roques are isolated, calm, and quiet offering a perfect vacationing time with your family. Throughout the year, the climate here is hot, but memorable. With this, I have a tip for you: Carry lot of sunscreen, sunglasses, as well as a hat and have plenty of water as very little shade is available on the cays and that the sun umbrellas are not that efficient here. Although not cheapest, the easiest way to get around is via an all-inclusive tour that departs from Caracas. If you are booking your own posada, its rate might include boat transportation to and from the different cays as well as pools. One more option to get around is to approach boat captains at the village’s jetty at 9:30 am daily for catching a boat to explore the islands. Do not expect any kind of regular public boat service. However, private arrangement is possible from La Guaira, Caracas’ port. And at last, walking is the best option to reach to the places on land.

Attractions

A visit to the Turtle Sanctuary on Dos Mosquises, which is also a research station, is very exciting. The staff in Spanish will introduce you to the several breeding marine turtles. Be ready to swim with them for a reasonable entry fee.

In the list of things to do, add every possible sport – diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating, swimming, windsurfing, and kayaking. Well, the fun starts like this – Each morning, visitors reach the Oscar Shop in Gran Roque, which refers to a kiosk close to the airstrip. This is the best place to hire boats to enjoy a day trip to the various islands. What is fascinating here is that the boats are amazingly named as Nordisqui (North East Cay) and Selesqui (Sailors Cay). For kite boarders as well as windsurfers, Francisqui is famous because of its quiet lagoons as well as steady winds.

The soft white beach sand dunes are just great for sunbathing and relaxing, while the multi-hued blue waters are suitable swimming. Coral reefs that are untouched, submarine grottos, and vivid fish life facilitate excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. Certified instructors as well as gears are also available. And yes, for the bird lovers, there are gulls, pelicans, and white herons.

Just hire a boat, get to an island that is just the size of a yard, and enjoy with your family all alone.

Tour Company

There is only of its kind – Linea Turisticas Aerotuy – that offers lodging, flights, and catamaran options here.

Accommodations

• Posada Dona Magalis - $65 per person per night.
• Posada La Lagunita - $125 per person per two days.



• Posada Shanti - $95 per person inclusive full board.
• Posada Sol y Luna - $65 per person including half board.
• Posada La Corsaria – $119 per person per 2 days all included.

Fees/Permits

130 Bolivars for foreigners, subject to change and to paid at landing time.