Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno - is a huge block of ice, Kotra constantly cracking and crunching. Around him organized park, with paths for long walks (in October 2008, most of the tracks have been built). This is the main attraction of the park. The glacier is located near the tiny tourist town of El Calafate (EC - a local berry). Very pretty town, a few wooden buildings create a very cozy atmosphere. Locals say that the winter here is very hard - withering icy wind. While the image of penguins surrounding tourist, as in Cuba - Che Guevara, to the penguins still fly and fly.

its age is about 30000 years. The most delightful of the Perito Moreno glacier is named in honor of the 19 th century explorer, who discovered him. Under the weight of snow in the ice grains is not air, so that the glacier is transparent blue.

This icy river, Perito Moreno Glacier, can every day to move up to 450 meters per year.  The movement of the glacier Perito Moreno, every few years, blocking the natural flow path Rica in the lake Lago Argentino. On the one hand, the accumulating mass of water increase the normal water level by 20-35 meters. Ultimately, however, water pressure crushes the ice and when the water breaks, Perito Moreno is a stunner. The spectacle may last from several hours to several days.

At this time, tranquil lake turns into a stormy sea. "Huge chunks of ice larger than the 15-store buildings are breaking away from the glacier wall and with a deafening roar severed in the water", - said in televised documentary film "La kuerra del yelo". The unusual phenomenon of nature to cause a huge influx of tourists in the National Park of Argentina, Los Glaciares National Park. Tens of thousands of tourists watch the impressive spectacle of the collapse of the glacier Perito Moreno. 'Everyone admires, seeing this wonderful phenomenon of the natural disaster. This miracle of nature declared UNESCO world heritage of mankind.

Ecuador Sightseeings

The relative cheapness of food and rapidly growing market of tourist services make Ecuador an attractive country for tourism. In a charming, slightly elongated plain at an altitude of 2800 m, is located the capital of Ecuador - Quito - one of the most colorful cities in Latin America. It comprises many cultures and traditions. Most clearly seen in Architecture - Spain, Holland and even pre-Columbian architectural motifs create a wonderful mixture of the 2 eras. In modern buildings of the American Quarter adjoin the narrow streets of the Latin, with beautiful chapels, churches, monasteries, houses of stone and mud brick. Just need to visit the Independenc e Square, near the Presidential Palace, admire the monasteries of La Compagnia, San Francisco and San Diego, visit the Museum of Colonial Art, which contains the magnificent works of the masters of South America - picture Guyasamina Osvaldo Oswaldo Viteri and Olga Fish.

It is impossible not to visit the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Archaeology, where you make a fascinating journey into the past, see the collection of blood vessels, arrowheads from El Inga, dating from the 10th millennium BC, as well as the magnificent conical vessels - aribalos "period of Inca (1450 - 1534 years.). The art of the era preceding the Inca era, most pronounced in the figure of La Tolita (500 BC - 500 AD) and Valdivia - the oldest in America. Walk "Chiva Don Otto (" Chiva "- is the name of the old nation-wide public bus) - the sounds of folk music, you ride through the narrow streets of Lower City, try a hot drink of cinnamon - kanelazo, traditional sweets and snacks.

Walk to "Chiva" - a taste of night life of colonial Kito. Just 15 minutes away to the north of the capital is the equator, there is the Museum of Ethnography and Culture "middle world", the picturesque ruins of the Inca Rumicho and a fantastic view of the crater Pululaha. The most common routes: Quito - Guayaquil - Galapagos Islands and Quito - the neighborhood of the volcano Chimborazo, Nat. Park Sangay, Inca pyramids, mountain steppe highlands of the Andes, diving on the Pacific coast. Cuenca - cobbled streets of the city perfectly complemented by artfully cast vignettes balconies, traditional jewelry, handicrafts items confirm the ancient culture of the natives.

Magnificent cathedral, the convent buildings and museums will not leave you indifferent, as well as the city's landmarks - the river Tomebamba beautifully envelope of old houses. Not far from Cuenca is a wonderful place - El Kayasy - Country 200 lakes and lagoons, and a relic of an ancient culture - Ingapirca, traditional political and religious center Kanyaris, later turned into a ceremonial Inca castle and fortification. In the north-east of the town are picturesque villages and Gualaseo Horteleg, known for its artists and artisans. Here you can purchase artfully constructed "Panama", traditional textiles and ceramics. One of the most beautiful places in Ecuador, the area around the volcano Chimborazo (altitude 6310 m). Here goes Expresso Metropolitan "- one of the highest railway in the world, which is laid past the cliffs of the mountains. The train moves at a speed of 50 - 60 km / h. and rises to the top of the mountain for 8 hours (by car is much faster). From the roof of the train, specially equipped for the journey, a wonderful view. At Indian small markets at Ecuador you will find a variety of goods and crafty artisan crafts, rightly considered the best in America. Some Indian markets are not like the others, Otavalo Indian market is quite different from the Indian market Sakuisili, Zumbahua or Cáñar.

Marvel at the variety you a variety of products with an indelible imprint of the oldest in the Americas culture. Ecuador owned by the world-famous Galapagos, Ecuador's main tourist attraction. Educated as a result of volcanic activity and reminding spray congealed lava in the ocean, the islands abound with amazing beaches softest sand, olive, white and black, creating a unique landscape. On some islands you will see the red mangroves and acacia, the other - cacti and tropical plants. Underwater a diverse, there are more than 400 kinds of various fish and plants most bizarre coloring. It is a paradise for divers - in the waters of the archipelago inhabited by sea lions, penguins, dolphins, sharks, whales, and many other representatives outlandish fauna. In fact, the archipelago reign iguanas and giant tortoises - the most ancient reptiles planet. The country has the most favorable conditions for the trip to the jungle. In the national park "Oriente", 2 reserves and eight protected areas, are equipped with hiking trails and parking. According to one of the tributaries of the Amazon, Napo River, you can make a memorable trip in a real Indian canoe or boat.

Chimborazo volcano - the most distant point from the center of the planet

Chimborazo - an extinct volcano, which at one time stormed so that it became the highest point in modern Ecuador. And also - the main convexity of the planet, more precisely - the ice edge.

What do you think, what a mountain on Earth - the highest?

The most popular opinion - Qomolangma. That if we assume the height of peaks above sea level. (Yes, and then from time to time something here and there pop-up messages that K2, the world's second summit on the classical system, Everest ahead of a few meters - competition awful).

Looking at the mountain to the naked eye, simply tossing his head, and take the height from the base of the mountain to the summit - the highest you can recognize Ararat or McKinley (it depends on how you count). If included in the calculations and that part of the mountain, which is under water, the result is the highest mountain - Mauna Kea. This mountain is standing right at the bottom of the Pacific, and the waves looks only to its top.

But what if we assume the height of the mountain starting not from the earth, not to sea level and not even from the bottom of the sea, and from the center of the Earth?

In this case, the result is the world's highest peak located in Ecuador. And it is called - Volcano Chimborazo. It is at its peak is the most distant point from the center of the Earth.

This long-extinct volcano. Supposedly, its last eruption took another 2 or 3 thousand years ago.

The height of this mountain - 6384 meters. This is a mountain - an incredible heights by European standards. But to the Himalayas it is still far away. Being a same distance from the center of the planet she helped by the fact that the Earth is not the ideal sphere. And Chimborazo was lucky too in the right place it is located.

A volcano in the Andes, in the middle of Ecuador, even nearby, just 150 kilometers from the capital Quito.

At this point the mountains stretch from 2 to 4 thousand meters high. And among them the majestic tip of 2500 meters stands Chimborazo. The top of it covered with perpetual ice.

Colombia

Columbia, with its grand tropical forests, mountains, beaches, beautiful towns and charming people, must stand among the most attractive places in the world. Unfortunately, the continuing guerrilla war and the activities of cocaine cartels have made a significant part of Colombia, the media nicknamed "Locombia" (crazy country), not available to all, except for the foolhardy travelers. But there is a chance to enjoy the pungent mixture of legends and mysticism. If you avoid traveling on land transport, to attend only the major cities and tourist destinations, so stay tuned, you can greatly relax in Colombia and get a lot of pleasant emotions.

Activities in Colombia

Very popular six-day hiking in the wreck of La Siyudad Perdida (The Lost City). Conductors can provide transportation, meals and accommodation (conductor is necessary, because in this area is a lot of marijuana plants and coca). Five-or seven-day hike along the route Nabusimake Pico Colón through Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - a great way to enjoy the mountains of Colombia. Excellent dive sites are located near the islands of Rosario 30 kilometers from Cartagena, and near the island of Baru, near the peninsula to the south of Cartagena on. The waters near the islands of San Andres and Providencia are populated by beautiful fish. Adventure tours in the jungle deep into the Amazon can be organized in Leticia. Equipped with well trained guides and are easily organize tours for up to 10 days. The jungle are often grim, so it is recommended to take with a photosensitive film, and a means of mosquitoes.

Titicaca Lake

Titicaca Lake: on the border of Bolivia and Peru

Lost in the Andes and covered with legends, Titicaca awakens the imagination, makes one want to visit its shores. But the real attraction here is not visible - a few dozens of floating islands.

The lake itself had contrived to climb to an altitude of 3820 meters. Occupying the lower part of the highlands stakes Titicaca belongs to 2 countries - Peru and Bolivia. The maximum width of 80 kilometers, and the total surface - 8300 square kilometers, most of whom are located in Peruvian territory. Tourists traveling to Peru, familiarity with the lake beginning in Puno - a city founded in 1668 near the mine, where silver was mined. The town stands on a hillside on the slope increases, and he has nowhere else to grow. For three centuries, the population had accumulated to 100 thousand. There is speculation that the Titicaca - part of the ocean was cut off from him after the lifting of the Western Cordillera Oriental. This theory is confirmed by the presence on the Bolivian gigantic salt mines.

But most tourists are interested in the islands, which naturally float on the lake with all its population. It's hard to believe but it is true: Hundreds of people are born, grow up, spend their entire lives and leave them without leaving these islands, floating in the cool depths of nowhere over the lake.


"Lake Titicaca" in translation from the Aymara means "sacred stone". He was in the temple of the sun, and he in turn - on the island of the Sun, the largest of the entire lake archipelago. Unfortunately, from the temple itself remained only ruins. Tempered rather wayward Titicaca. Most steep it in the rainy season - from December to February. At this time, the river brings a lot of the red and the color of water in the lake is changing. In February, the level of the mirror is increased by half a meter, and maybe more. In the flood Titicaca overflows its banks, flooding fields and even the lower part of Puno, along with the pier. And when zaduyut winds up a big wave. Besides the lake there are ebbs and flows like the ocean, but water level fluctuations were modest - up to 80 centimeters. And yet, in such circumstances to live on the islands drifting, perhaps quieter than on the coast.

Chile Traditions

In Chile dominates the European blood, so here travelers from Western countries are not as distinguished as in Peru and Bolivia. For centuries, the Paris education of many Chilean intellectuals influenced the art, music, architecture.  This resulted in art galleries, museums, and theaters. Art, literature and music influence on world culture. Among the Chilean Nobel Prize  are poets Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda. Until the military coup in 1973, Chile filmmakers were the boldest experimenters in Latin America. Folk music is particularly important for the victims of tyranny, and she often played a political emigrant abroad during the Pinochet regime.

Over 90% of the population is Catholic, but Evangelical Protestantism is becoming increasingly common. Catholic Architecture is impressive and ubiquitous, from grandiose colonial churches, holy places and finishing along the roads from which others are excellent examples of the fusion of various forms of folk arts. The official language in Chile - Spanish, but there are some folk languages. In the north of the country over 20 000 carriers Aymara, and in the south about half a million carriers of the Mapuche.

The most interesting linguistic minority - 2000 Media Rapa Nui, a Polynesian language of the inhabitants of Easter Island.

Chilean cuisine is diverse and includes seafood, beef, fresh fruits and vegetables. Among Chilean dishes listed as: empanadas (large tortillas with various fillings); humitas (corn volumes) and several types of bread prepared from flour or potatoes. The most satisfying dish - lomo a lo pobre («meat dish for the poor") is a huge piece of beef, put two fried eggs with potatoes, fried. Dish parillada confuse vegetarians and cardiologists, as its membership includes intestines, udders, as well as black pudding. One of the most delicious dishes - curanto - a hearty chowder with fish, shellfish, chicken, pork, lamb, beef and potatoes. Chilean wines - the best in South America. The popular drink pisco sour is a grape brandy with lemon, egg white and powdered sugar.

Sao Paulo

This city is full of surprises, it may surprise anyone who comes here. Sao Paulo - is not only the largest city in South America, it is among the top three most visited cities in the world! There are several special characteristics that make Sao Paulo:

1. The city's architecture: the buildings in Sao Paulo are built in colonial-style mixed well with modern architecture. In Sao Paulo, many buildings, museums, churches built centuries ago, at the same time the architecture of this city can be called one of the most modern. In Sao Paulo, the ancient church can perfectly look on the background of a glass skyscraper.

2. Nightlife and Restaurants: In Sao Paulo 12500 and 15000 restaurants bars and nightclubs, these figures exceed the number of these establishments in Paris and in London, Sao Paulo - the richest night life! Of course, not to say that all clubs and restaurants are good, Sao Paulo - the city international, on this all the institutions are different. Differ and style, and quality.

3. Shopping: If you have arrived in Sao Paulo suggest you take a stroll to the shops. Shops in Sao Paulo a lot, can be found for all tastes and opportunities, but affects mainly the combination of quality and price, good quality and price, the ratio of our - low. April. And as in Sao Paulo can be advised to visit the Museum of Modern Art, stadium Pakaembu ", where he often played the" King of Football "Pele, snake Reserve Butantan" - the realm of reptiles. It is also interesting to visit the art museum, the State Art Gallery, Impiranya Museum, founded by Emperor Pedro I.

The Leaf House of Rio de Janeiro...

Located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Leaf House was inspired by Brazil’s Indian architecture, perfectly suited for the hot and humid climate of Angra dos Reis, which is just one hour south of Rio de Janeiro. The roof  in form of  big leaves protects all the enclosed spaces of the house from the sun - verandas and the in-between open spaces. All the open spaces are the main living areas, the essence of the design. They allow trade winds from the ocean to pass trough the building, providing natural ventilation and passive cooling. The architects see this as low-tech ecoefficiency where it has the greatest impact; as the concept of the architectural design.

There are no corridors, with the interior and exterior spaces being almost fused. Rainwater is taken from the roof for re-use. With its natural finishes, organic aesthetics and richness of details, the house is in harmony with the brazilian nature.

Capoeira - a fighting art

Capoeira - a fighting art that originated in the coastal areas of Brazil. A special alloy of African and European traditions allowed to include in this fighting art the elements of music, dance, magic rituals, acrobatics and games.

The game - that's exactly what Capoeira is, while maintaining the seriousness of the fighting arts. In a circle rivals are competing not in the number of strokes, they do not try to knock each other but try to outplay the opponent, showing a beautiful, elegant technique, using stealth and wit, delighting audiences with incredible possibilities of the human body. A goo win is  not enough for capoeirists. It must be beautiful, but the process of the game should be fun and exciting.

Holidays in

Venezuela is a country of exceptional travel opportunities. Here, eyes and soul, tortured by non-black soil landscapes will find something that helps to believe in the possibility of happiness on earth: clean sea, the sky clear, the mountains and the huge number of waterfalls, from the world's tallest to the smallest (almost bedside) fall at every step among indecent lush vegetation.

Venezuela has the rainy seasons. It lasts from May to October, in the rest there is the cloudless sky and a little lower, compared with the rainy period, temperature - an average of 25-30 degrees.

One of the most interesting places - the Orinoco Delta. Giant triangle consists of more than 50 major channels, covers an area roughly equal to Switzerland or the Netherlands.

In the delta grow Rhizophoraceae forest - huge trees, the trunks are entwined with vines and other plants that wish to get closer to the sunlight.

It is possible to travel with canoe alongside the tributaries and take the real Indian guide who will tell about the life of local tribes and will, among other things, how to extract very nutritious worms living in the trunks of palm trees (it is said that they are delicious with coconut milk).

Canaima National Park is located in the North, closer to the border with Brazil. The main attraction of these parts are the mountains with an Indian name "Tepui": steep cliffs over a kilometer in height with almost flat tops. This area is one of the most secluded and pristine natural areas of South America. Each flat top - the plateau is a unique biological island, kept unchanged since prehistoric times the whole ecological complex.

These mountains - the actual prototype of the "Lost World" of Conan Doyle. One of the most famous Tepui - is Mount Auyan with the world's highest waterfall called Angel. This place can not be named trampled, the waterfall was opened only in 1934.

If you wish to see the ocean and secluded islands, it is worth to visit another nature reserve in the archipelago of Los Roques, which is located 80 miles north of Caracas. This is one of the largest national parks in the Caribbean. You may reach it on a catamaran, and then a day sunbathing on the white sand beaches, typical of the Caribbean, scuba dive or observe the life of the local pelicans.

At the end of the journey it is not bad for a couple of days to fly to the island of Margarita and relax in an atmosphere of five star service. The island is a free economic zone, so the good shops and restaurants, casinos and other night spots are abundant here. In the evenings, salsa dancing and drinking the national Venezuelan daiquiri cocktail, invented personally by Hemingway - rum, gin, crushed ice and fresh juice. The writer himself preferred the lime juice.

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Iguazu Falls is one of the top destinations in South America

Iguazu Falls is one of the top destinations in South America.

The Iguazu Falls is one of the largest collections of waterfalls in the world. There are about 275 waterfalls spread across 2.7 kilometres of the Iguazu River. The Iguazu Falls are located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, and can be viewed from both sides. Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horsehoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River, Iguazú Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth.

On the Brazilian side, the easiest way to get to the falls is from the town of Foz do Iguaçu. The falls is about 20 km from the town centre of Foz, and can easily be accessible by public bus or taxi.

Crossing over the border to Argentina, the closest town you can base yourself is the town of Puerto Iguazu. The town is roughly 40km from the Argentinean side of the falls, and is accessible by public bus or taxi as well. The Argentinean side has 2/3 of the falls, and is where you will find the most spectacular views of the falls.

Best seen from the Brazilian side is the spectacular Devil's Throat, garganta del diablo, where fourteen falls drop 350 feet with such force that there is always a 100 foot cloud of spray overhead. Watch for the rainbow!

The Argentinean side has the top view of The Devil’s Throat, and has several walks to view the rest of the waterfalls. The national park is enormous, and one can easily spend a couple of days taking in all the breathtaking walks and activities that are on offer. Getting from the entrance to The Devil’s Throat on its own would take nearly an hour, taking both the train and walking the 1 km of walkway towards the edge of the Devil’s Throat.

The park also offers a river cruise, where you can see the exotic wildlife native to the area, and a cruise is also available to get to San Martin Island, one of the islands at the basin of the falls where a few more walking trails can be explored. Taking a cruise back to the start instead of the train from the Devil’s Throat is a great idea. One can see the exotic and varied wildlife in along the Iguazu River and experience being on the big river that feeds the falls.

Iguazú Falls, called Foz do Iguaçu in Portuguese, and Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish, lie on the Argentina - Brazil border and are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Tours to "Quantum of Solace" Shooting Places

Much of the shooting of the new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace", was held in several countries in Latin America. Now, Chile, Panama and Mexico offer tourists some original route travels in the footsteps of the world's most famous superagent.

In Chile, travelers can stay at the Radisson hotel in the colonial port city of Antofagasta - this is where the film crew lived while shooting. It is offered to make excursions to Paranal observatory and town Bakedano (Baquedano), where there was a movie set. Adventures await guests of five-star luxury hotel Explora en Atacama, which is located in an oasis in the Atacama Desert. In addition, tourists are encouraged to visit the vineyards near the Chile' capital Santiago.

The modern capital of Panama is also used to shoot street scenes. Tourists can see the old district of Panama City - Casco Viejo, many buildings that served as props for the film, and sail through the Panama Canal. Art Hotel Coral Lodge on the Caribbean coast is ideal for relaxing in the style of James Bond. Also, travelers are invited to travel by train from the city of Colon in Panama City and spend a few days in the hotel Canopy Tower, which is a refurbished military observation base.

Mexico offers recreation on the coast of the Gulf of California. From January to March you can watch the feeding of young whales in shallow lagoons. In addition, tourists can stay in one of the luxury hotels in the resort of Loreto, where the best beaches in Mexico.

Whale watching has become one of the most popular attractions ...

Whale watching has become one of the most popular attractions for tourists in Latin America: last year alone the number of travelers who come just for this, more than a million people.

Moreover, many South American countries, notably Chile, argue that whale watching can be a much more profitable and more profitable than their extermination. In Chile, have commercial whaling has already been banned, and along the coast will be organized the whale sanctuary.

According to official statistics, in 2006, whale watching has brought to Latin America about $ 80 million, reports Reuters. Total income from this industry is about $ 1 billion in 90 countries annually.

Now in South American waters are inhabited by about 64 species of whale, which is 75% of the world's diversity. It is worth noting that the whale watching - is a popular form of ecotourism around the world, such as Iceland, Australia and South Africa.

Brazil is also great for whale watching trips. Florianopolis, in Southern Brazil, is where southern right whales appear during the months of June to November. As June is winter in Florianopolis, it can be quite cold, so best to visit in October or November if you want to see whales, plus have a beach vacation (Brazilians will tell you that Florianopolis has Brazil’s best beaches).

At the same time of year (June to November), the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina sees the same right whale migrations - Puerto Madryn being the best base for whale watching trips.