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Soles of a Nomad
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Our Amazon Jungle Tour from Iquitos: Mud, Monkeys, and Munching on Piranha
We spent four days deep in the Peruvian Amazon — holding caimans, spotting sloths, dodging spiderwebs, and trying (and failing) to catch piranha. Here’s what it’s really like to take an Amazon jungle tour from Iquitos.

Rand Blimes
Jun 2317 min read


Tips for Visiting the Ballestas Islands: What to Know Before You Go
Sea lions, penguins, and guano — oh my! The Ballestas Islands may not be the Galapagos, but they offer a chaotic and entertaining slice of coastal Peru. Here’s what to expect (and what not to).

Rand Blimes
Jun 226 min read


Huacachina Sunrise: Chasing the Light Above the Sand and Fog
What happens when you wake up at 4:45 a.m., forget your hotel key, and end up climbing a sand dune through fog just in time for sunrise? In Huacachina, it means you stumble into something unforgettable.

Rand Blimes
Jun 225 min read


Hiking Rainbow Mountain: What You Need to Know Before You Go
There isn’t just one Rainbow Mountain anymore—there are two. Here’s your guide to choosing the right one, setting realistic expectations, and staying safe at altitude.

Rand Blimes
Jun 198 min read


Pastoruri Glacier Hike: See It While You Still Can
The Pastoruri Glacier hike is short, scenic, and seriously high. But more than that, it’s a farewell tour—this glacier is melting fast. Come for the views, stay for the existential dread.

Rand Blimes
Jun 174 min read


Wheezing Toward Wonder: the Laguna 69 Day Hike
The Laguna 69 Day Hike is no gentle stroll. Between the altitude, the crowds, and the switchbacks that never end, this trek earns every ounce of your awe—and your exhaustion. Here’s what it’s really like to tackle one of Peru’s most iconic trails.

Rand Blimes
Jun 176 min read


Our Laguna Parón Day Hike: a Missing Bus and Alpine Magic
Laguna Parón is one of the most stunning alpine lakes in Peru—and also the easiest to reach on a short hike. Here’s how our trip went sideways before it even started, and why it still turned into one of the best days we had in the Andes.

Rand Blimes
Jun 154 min read


Nuts and Bolts: Travel Tips for Visiting Huaraz, Peru
Huaraz, Peru is your gateway to the stunning Cordillera Blanca—but it’s not all glaciers and peaks. From high-altitude acclimatization to the city’s best eats and most breathtaking day hikes, here’s everything you need to know before heading to Peru’s rugged mountain capital.

Rand Blimes
Jun 1513 min read


Bali Waterfall Hiking: Pay the Fee, Sweat a Bit, and Chase the Magic
Bali is full of waterfalls, and chasing them is one of the island’s great pleasures. From lush jungle treks to crowded canyon detours, this guide gives you the rundown on where to go, how to prepare, and which falls might not be worth the hype.

Rand Blimes
May 273 min read


Swimming in the Cenotes near Valladolid: the Yucatán’s Most Magical (Non-Food) Experience
Swimming in cenotes near Valladolid was the highlight of our Mexico trip—cool, clear water in underground caves and open-air pools, each with its own personality. From rope swings to lily pads, it was part adventure, part chill, and 100% unforgettable.

Rand Blimes
May 233 min read


The Terrors of Travel and a Trip of Goats: Visiting Pangong Lake in Ladakh
Want to find your zen? Try riding shotgun on a Himalayan cliff road to Pangong Lake. You’ll breathe deeply, pray loudly, and maybe meet a herd of baby goats. This is travel in Ladakh at its wildest.

Rand Blimes
May 185 min read


The Price of Wonder: Trekking in Nepal Then and Now
Once upon a backpacker’s budget, I wandered Nepal with a creaky wallet and a pack of momos. Things have changed—fees, forms, and guides required. Worth it? That’s complicated.

Rand Blimes
May 136 min read


Visiting Mt. Yasur: A Volcano in Vanuatu
Standing on the edge of Mt. Yasur in Vanuatu, I learned that true power isn't just something you see — it's something you feel in your chest and soul.

Rand Blimes
Apr 273 min read


Hiking the Wave: Beauty, Access, and the Danger of Overprotection
After three years of trying, I finally visited the surreal rock formation known as the Wave. What I found was beauty, bureaucracy, and a warning about overprotection.

Rand Blimes
Apr 272 min read
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