The Inca Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the world and also a top traveller’s destination. Visitors to Peru brave the often gruelling high alpine four day trek through cloud forests, jungle and stone mountain paths for the unparalleled views, scenery and the mystical Inca Ruins. The ‘trail’ is approximately 43km but at its height the Inca Road system covered over 20,000 km and stretched from Ecuador to Chile.

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The Cenotes (literally meaning sinkholes) of the Yucatan peninsula (located just south of Cancun, Mexico) are extremely popular with visitors, swimmers, snorkelers and divers.

The entire Yucatan peninsula was once a reef beneath the ocean until the water receded, causing the sea life to be fossilised into the walls of deep holes thus forming a subterranean universe of caverns, karst tunnels and sink holes-some hundreds of feet deep. There are four types of Cenotes – those completely underground, semi-underground, land-level Centotes like a lake or pond, and those that are open wells.

Cenotes were sacred to the Maya both for drinking, irrigation and in religious ceremonies. They also considered to be one of the best cavern diving spots in the world.

Incredible Diving

Diving enthusiasts around the world flock here because of the amazing underwater scenery and crystal clear water. Divers can swim through thousands of stalagmites and stalactites formed over 65 million years ago and sunlight penetrates multiple openings making the whole experience unforgettable. The Cenotes, located all through out the Riviera Maya are filled with rain water so the visibility while diving is over five hundred feet.

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Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile and popular with tourists. Chile is currently one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations and is a surprising easy place to travel around.

Outdoor types are particularly drawn to Chile as you can climb, bike, ski, and ride your way around the countryside. You could also relax in the hot springs or party in one of the cosmopolitan cities.

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