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South Africa & Lesotho

Travel in the Republic of South Africa and Lesotho.

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travelling-the-wild-side — A friendly lemur.

Meet Sydney

Hi, I’m Sydney and I’ve been slowly wandering this incredible planet since 1982! Welcome to my site.
If you love to travel with a focus on the great outdoors you’ve come to the right place!
I love to help you explore the amazing wild side of our planet – sailing, hiking, wildlife, swimming – no matter your age, stage, or budget.
Come share the journey and let me help you on yours.
Let’s go wild!

Latest posts!

The ultimate south-west Antioquia guide: Jericó, Jardín, and Venecia
Hiking the Camino Real across the Chicamocha Canyon: The Barichara to Los Santos Guide
15 best things to do in Leticia, Colombia: The Ultimate Amazon Guide
How to visit Iquitos: The complete guide to hotels, sights & Amazon Adventures

💥Huayhuash curcuit - Peru💥 One of the best surpri

💥Huayhuash curcuit - Peru💥
One of the best surprises was to see condors on at least half the days!
Its a great hike and if high altitude hiking with stunning views appeals? Get yourself sorted to go next dry season - May to September!
First 3 pics are day 2 and the rest are day 3 - including one of the highest passes at 5100 meters.
🏔🏔🏔
#huayhuash #peru #travelandadventure #backpackerstory

Day 2 Huayhuash circuit!!! We had the choice - th

Day 2 Huayhuash circuit!!!
We had the choice - the easy way with a lower pass - or the hard way with even more fabulous scenery.
A no-brainer! Stunning!
The circuit
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💥High Altitude: Most of the trail stays above 4,000 meters, and you cross a pass from 4,800 - 5200 meters (15,700 - 17,000 ft) every day. Sleeping at around 4300 - 4600.
💥Distance: ~120 km (75 miles)
💥Duration: 8 to 12 days for the full circuit
💥You need to acclimatise in Huaraz doing hikes at high altitude for a few dates before tackling this one so you don't get severe altitude sickness
💥the Huayhuash Circuit is ranked among the top 10 alpine hiking circuits on Earth.
#adventurewithme #naturetraveler #mountainhiking

Looks kinda badlands to me!' Day 1 of the Huayhuas

Looks kinda badlands to me!'
Day 1 of the Huayhuash trek in the Andes of Northern Peru!
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Fun - not fun - fact - it's so cold at night in a tent - I wore 5 layers of thermal and down and still wanted to cry from the cold in me old bones! Waking up to ice on the tent and going to the loo at night are not real fun things 🙃
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💥High Altitude: Most of the trail stays above 4,000 meters, and you cross a pass from 4,800 - 5200 meters (15,700 - 17,000 ft) every day. Sleeping at around 4300 - 4600.
💥Distance: ~120 km (75 miles)
💥Duration: 8 to 12 days for the full circuit
💥You need to acclimatise in Huaraz doing hikes at high altitude for a few dates before tackling this one so you don't get severe altitude sickness
💥the Huayhuash Circuit is ranked among the top 10 alpine hiking circuits on Earth.
#adventurewithme #naturetraveler #mountainhiking

Instagram post 18474083020119958

Instagram post 18474083020119958

The incredible frailejone trees in the paramo of C

The incredible frailejone trees in the paramo of Colombia! These trees only grow in this ecosystem between 3000 and 4000 meters. They grow 1-2cm year so some of the ones you see are 200 years old. They are responsible for much of Colombias local waterways - by capturing moisture from passing fog and mist with the fuzzy hairs on their leaves. The water forms into heavy droplets that drip onto the ground and then soaks into the spongy volcanic soil of the l páramo, which slowly feeds underground aquifers that naturally supply streams and rivers!!
Local guide Will took myself and my sis in law - Gloria - up into the paramo from a tiny but wonderful township Murillo - off the beaten path entirely but it shouldnt be!! (Its only 2 hours from Manizales so pop it on your itinerary if your going that way - its a spectacular drive!) .
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#paramo #frailejone #colombia #travelandnature

The famous Quinido wax palms - the national tree o

The famous Quinido wax palms - the national tree of Colombia and the tallest in the world. They grow to 45 - 60 meters (148 - 200 feet)🌴
You can easily see them at Salento on the tourist trail, but if you want to see them off the trail head to San Felix in Caldas where you will get the same views and trees for $0 with 0 people!
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#colombia #waxpalms #traveltips #travelandnature

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is basically the rocks

The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is basically the rockstar of the Colombian cloud forest. Its pretty cool to see.
The males are impossible to miss with their Mohawk of orange-red feathers and athismassive, fluffy crest that completely covers their beak.
Sadly it is not mating season atm but when it is they gather in groups called "leks" to show off for females. They hop around, bob their heads, and make bizarre squawking noises that sound like a mix between a pig and a crow.
Even though the guys are super flashy, the females are a boring brownish-orange. This helps them stay camouflaged in the trees while taking care of the nests - always the practical ones!
In the gorgeous village / town of Jardín, you can see them just a short walk from the main town square at a local reserve. They hang out there every afternoon and nobody knows why but they do! I was also lucky enough to see them by a waterfall I visited.
Very cool thing to see in Jardin!
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#Jardin #Colombia 🇨🇴 #travelandnature

Probably the most colorful tuktuks I've ever seen

Probably the most colorful tuktuks I've ever seen en masse! In the playground town of wealthy Colombians - Guatapé!
We might find it a bit OTT as the houses and offices are pretty much the same - but somehow it works!!
I've been having fun here with a lovely new friend from South Korea staying in my same hostel. I even have a Korean name now - Hwa yeon!
People come here to climb a rock (and see some of Pablo's old houses!) More on thst later....
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#Guatapé # colombia # #traveladventures

La chiva - mountain road "buses" in Colombia. Bump

La chiva - mountain road "buses" in Colombia. Bumpity bump all the way. But a fun way to get around.This one was from Jardin to Jerico in the Antioquia region. Both are lovely villages and worth the chiva journey!!
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#travelwithme #adventuretravel #Colombia

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