Eleanor Hughes

I'm a New Zealander who wrote children's fiction, then took up travel writing to justify my long, overland travels through South and Central America. A relaxing holiday is not for me. I enjoy discovering new adventures with a few challenges along the way!
Raqchi: Ancient and Traditional

Raqchi: Ancient and Traditional

Puddled dirt streets, patchy orange-tiled roofed, adobe brick homes on one side, views of fields dotted with llamas on the other, lead me to an alley. Halfway up, at double wooden doors, Lydia welcomes us to Raqchi and her home, our accommodation for the night. Our...

The Best of Arequipa, Peru

The Best of Arequipa, Peru

Arequipa, known as the White City due to buildings constructed of white volcanic sillar rock, was founded in 1540 in a valley surrounded by three volcanoes. Despite being Peru’s second-largest city, with a population of 840,000, Arequipa's historic center feels like a...

Gateway to the Colca Canyon: Chivay

Gateway to the Colca Canyon: Chivay

Gateway to the Colca Canyon, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon and home to the giant Andean Condor, Chivay is a town of around 5000 inhabitants on the bank of the Colca River. It looks little affected by tourism. Arriving in Chivay, Peru What strikes me first as we...