Go Get Lost

Go Get Lost Start traveling with us… and have experiences that will change your life.

Yesterday was about hiking to Machu Picchu, today was all about exploring it! It’s an amazingly complex place, and well ...
11/24/2024

Yesterday was about hiking to Machu Picchu, today was all about exploring it! It’s an amazingly complex place, and well preserved. The mist and fog only added to the mystery of the experience. The afternoon was spent wandering the vibrant town of Aguas Caliente, full of shops, bars, restaurants and market stalls…with a whitewater river running right through the middle…a ton of fun!

Amazing day hiking the last leg of the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu. Started the day with one of the most scenic train r...
11/23/2024

Amazing day hiking the last leg of the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu. Started the day with one of the most scenic train rides ever, down a steep-sided valley next to a rushing river with endless Class IV rapids. Then the train stopped for 1 minute at a wide spot in the forest…no platform, and just two of us hopped off, crossed the river and started hiking. It’s interesting that much of this trip was at higher altitudes, often above the tree line, but now we were at 7200 feet and in the edge of the Amazon rainforest…warm temps, humidity, lush sub-tropical forest! This hike was definitely challenging…5 hours of up and down (mostly up) on stone steps. But well worth it as we explored numerous Inca ruins along the way, and marvelled at the endless views of knife-edged peaks.
Reaching the Sun Gate we got our first sighting of Mach Picchu, the classic view as seen from above. We hiked around the perimeter a bit for more dramatic views, then caught the local bus back in town and checked into our stunning 5 star resort, located in a renovated historic hacienda.
Tomorrow we go back up to Machu Picchu to explore IN the ruined town, then take the train back to Ollyantaytambo, and thence on to Cuzco. Exhilarating day!

The day started with a morning visit to a small village in the Andean highlands. It’s fascinating to wander down the str...
11/22/2024

The day started with a morning visit to a small village in the Andean highlands. It’s fascinating to wander down the street and see the locals about their daily tasks…working in their gardens, brewing corn beer, building onto their houses, kids walking to school. We’re in a different valley than the heavily touristed Inca trek area, so life here is more authentic. Afterwards we did two hikes, both amazing in their own way. Walking on Inca trails amidst the still-in-use terraces and irrigation canals built by the Incas over 600 years ago. Passing through small farms and chatting with locals as they tend their cows and crops. The trails we were using were very easy, about half way betwween the towering peaks above us and the valley floor far below. Eventually we reached the bustling town of Ollantaytambo, full of shops and energy.
I’m staying in a gorgeous little place next to a rushing river, in luxury tent-like bungalows, and feasting on beef loin and local potatoes (see pic).
Tomorrow is the big hike to Machu Picchu, I have to catch a train at 7 am…getting to bed early tonight!

Excellent easy walk to the Inca ruins of Ancasmarca at 13,500 feet. It’s unique because it was the king’s storage for gr...
11/21/2024

Excellent easy walk to the Inca ruins of Ancasmarca at 13,500 feet. It’s unique because it was the king’s storage for grains, vegetables and all the produce of the area. The Incas used no currency but had a barter economy, and these strange round buildings with their innovative ventilation system were the storehouses to hold the “taxes” collected from the farmers. Of course we had plenty of encounters with local vilagrrs as we tromped on our “off-the-beaten-tourist-track” trails. This tour is unique in that each day there are hikes and cultural activities, you can choose the day before what you want to do, and the hikers get some of the cultural activities as well. So really there are two itineraries side-by-side in the same group, and you often eat lunch together.
We stayed at a beautiful 4 star lodge, with each room having a private balcony with whirlpool bath, with a stunning view looking out over the valley. I had a cooking class before dinner which was wonderful…you can see the pics of some of the dishes I’ve enjoyed so far.
Oh, and plenty of alpacas and llamas today, so I had to post some pics of them as well.
PS This tour will debut next October…just sayin’

Spent the last two days in amazing Cuzco, Peru. Wandering the city, seeing the sites, acclimatizing (Cuzco is over 11,00...
11/20/2024

Spent the last two days in amazing Cuzco, Peru. Wandering the city, seeing the sites, acclimatizing (Cuzco is over 11,000 feet!) Peruvians are some of the friendliest and helpful people on earth. As usual I’m really getting into the history of the Inca empire and Spanish conquest. Fascinating mix of culture and history here.
Today was my first day hiking. With my guide Whilder we headed up into the Andes and stopped at few picturesque villages and towns to soak up the vibe. At the trailhead we met a local villager, Luisa, and her two donkeys, Ramone and Esmerelda. They accompany our groups on some of the hikes that are more remote, carrying extra water, lunch, medical kit and oxygen. The spare donkey is available in case someone needs a ride! The hike itself was from 13,150, over the Challwaccasa Pass at 14,200 and down to the village of Viacha where we had a light lunch.
Another short downhill walk brought us to the Inca ruins of Pisaq, in a gorgeous setting on top of a small peak. Fascinating history too. It was a “testing” area where the Inca engineers experimented and developed their terracing and water irrigation systems, also used the terraces to improve their crop varieties.
Later we pulled into our 4 star mountain lodge and had a pit barbecue…and a pisco sour…big hit!

Address

2221 Stevenson Drive
Springfield, IL
62703

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Go Get Lost posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Go Get Lost:

Videos

An impromptu Greek dancing lesson during a picnic on Akramitis Mountain. This was when the music really picks up the pace!

Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest Migration

If you’ve never experienced the great migration of wildebeest and zebra in Africa, you need to put it on your bucket list.

Gorakshep heli
Gorakshep heli

Jumping on a heli at 17,000 feet while it stops for all of 60 seconds is a thrill, to say the least. The ensuing ride down the Khumbu valley, with the world’s tallest snow-capped peaks around you is an incredible adventure. I’m going back…who wants to go?

Yet another yak video
Yet another yak video

I just don’t feel right unless I post a yak video every day…

On the trail to EBC
On the trail to EBC

Nice views about an hour from EBC

Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp

My view as I have a snack at EBC

A other yak video
A other yak video

In the last few days I’ve seen more than my share of yaks. In fact I now consider myself something of a yak connoisseur. For example, did you know that only the bull males are called “Yaks”. The females are called “Naks”. The males are the ones you see out on the trails, working hard hauling heavy loads through the mountains. Meanwhile, the Naks never work, they stay home and lay around all day, maybe give a little milk once in a while. They do nothing. Sounds very similar to human society. 😅 I’m sure my wife will post that she agrees with me, as soon as she gets off work.

Yak
Yak

I’m fascinated by yaks! Now that we’re in the higher elevations, yaks are the preferred pack animals. They’re also milked to make butter and their hair can be woven. But since the Buddhists consider the entire upper Khumbu valley to be sacred, nothing can be killed here. That includes chickens, pigs, and of course, yaks. You see them all over as you’re hiking.

Ama Dablam base camp
Ama Dablam base camp

Here’s a peak at what a Himalayan mountain climbers base camp looks like.

Himalaya Video
Himalaya Video

Here’s a short, very amateur video I took from a spectacular viewpoint on today’s trek. I have my guide Nutan naming the mountains but you can hardly hear us because of the wind noise. In reality there was very little wind, we didn’t even notice it but it was apparently hitting the iphone just right. The mountains you will see are some of the highest and most famous in the world…Tabouche, Nuptse, Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Khangtega, and Thamserku.

Mule Train
Mule Train

Ok I know I’m posting a lot of pack animal videos, but I’m fascinated by them. Between the mules and the djoko (half yak/half cow) they are the principal means of resupply for hundreds of Himalayan communities. And they’ve been doing this critical function since the 15th century.

Close Encounter of the Djoko Kind
Close Encounter of the Djoko Kind

You encounter quite a few mule trains and djoko (half yak/half cow) trains, sometimes loaded with freight, and sometimes carrying nothing as they head back down the valley. This meeting was easy, they had no freight.

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Journeys for Adventurous Travelers!

Go Get Lost is a boutique tour operator specializing in small-group, off-the-beaten path adventures to incredible destinations including Italy, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, and more. We've been leading clients all over the world for over 20 years.

At Go Get Lost we know the best way to experience an area is to get out of the bus, put your feet on the ground and mix it up with the locals. Only when you’re immersed in your surroundings and participating in the journey can you appreciate the stunning landscapes, the awe-inspiring history, the marvelous cuisine and the remarkable people that live there.