https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1 daily 0.75 2026-04-23 https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/blog-post-title-three-gaad6 monthly 0.5 2026-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/af3e854e-ba09-4068-a440-b95ad7f26ddf/469374649_10234965652623880_951374632860066479_n.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out I’ve traveled throughout many parts of Mexico since 2015, but this blog is more of a culmination of my favorite places within a few hours of Mexico City. However, these particular visits occurred in late 2024. My Spanish tutor and good friend, Erick Fabila, who currently lives in CDMX, helped me choose and navigate many of these locations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d3597dd0-ece1-41f4-b512-19425d3fd582/Tepoztlan.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out Tepoztlán was one of my favorite Pueblo Magico's in Mexico because it's a nature and hiker's paradise, nestled at the base of dramatic jagged cliffs and lush scenery. Still under the radar for most American and European tourists, it's a popular local weekend retreat known for its deep spiritual energy and ancient Aztec history. I've never been to Tulum and have no desire to go (lol), but I'd imagine Tepoztlan shares similar vibes. It's a short 90 minute drive south from CDMX. You can Uber there but you'll need a taxi to return to the city. I recommend staying in Tepoztlán for three days because there are other nearby adventures that await. This photo was taken from the main street, Avenida Revolucion, around 5am. After 6am, the street will be bumper to bumper with cars, trucks and buses so arrive early! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f155d3af-d84e-4b90-aafb-6f2d2d30a501/hotelview2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - I stayed at the Posada del Tepozteco, an upscale hotel with an unbelievable view and large, luxurious rooms. That said, many private and trendy, health & wellness retreats are scattered throughout town and if I had known sooner, I might have stayed at one. The advantage of Posada is that it's a few minutes' walk to Avenida Revolución, whereas many of the retreats are much farther. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1493a759-8e2d-4bcb-84c2-824707acc6fb/street.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Tepoztlan is highly regarded for its diverse and vibrant wall murals and one of my favorite things to do was wander and photograph them. The town's streets are often described as a "canvas" depicting Mexican culture, history, and whimsical fantasy. Although I can't remember the exact street of this photo, it's just to the right off Avenida Revolucion as you start approaching the Pyramid hike entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ebcbaa0b-56bd-4d36-9f7b-7a4db8c25191/food.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The local cuisine in Tepoztlan is healthy and amazing, but you need to get away from Avenida Revolucion to find the hot spots. I must have eaten this dish three days in a row at Mesa de Origen, the signature restaurant of the Amomoxtli boutique hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e6ec724-fe3a-42e1-9108-cb1b0e9f30bb/view.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Hiking to El Tepozteco Pyramid is one of the most popular activities and offers panoramic views of the valley. It's a steep, rocky trail to reach this 13th-century temple dedicated to the Aztec god of pulque. The hike takes only 1-2 hours depending on your fitness level, but it was more challenging than I expected. The hours might vary, but it's generally open M-Su 9am- 5pm and costs $90 pesos--I tried to go earlier, but a gated door prevented entry until security arrived. The trailhead starts at the end of Avenida Revolución, heading toward the majestic mountains. You'll pass through many vendor tents selling all kinds of things and friendly dogs lying on the wooden walkway. You might even see Coatis, diurnal mammals in the raccoon family; they are curious little critters, but not dangerous. Once at the top, climb onto the small pyramid to get this photo! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ff45f76e-3a39-4d7b-84cb-4193e2170c2b/grave.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - While wandering the Tepoztlán neighborhoods, I somehow stumbled upon the local cemetery, and it was spectacular. It's considered special primarily for its deep cultural atmosphere and how it transforms during the Day of the Dead. Furthermore, the cemetery offers amazing views, particularly during the golden hour when the sunset casts a magical glow over the decorated tombs against the backdrop of the town's famous cliffs. I took this photo from the entrance while standing on one of the wall's ledges. I'm not sure if exploring the cemetery's interior was allowed, but the groundskeepers didn't seem to mind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cd57977f-f498-420a-9880-fc267c0a5b23/tepoz.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out Tlayacapan is another picturesque Pueblo Magico in the state of Morelos, just a quick 30-minute drive or taxi from Tepoztlán, where you can spend half a day. It's renowned for its 16th-century Augustinian monastery, a thriving pottery tradition, and its status as the birthplace of the iconic Chinelo dance. It's got the same relaxed, bohemian vibe but is even more remote and less touristy. For me, I enjoyed wandering the streets, browsing the local vendors and trying their famous red and green pipian with tortillas. This photo, taken from the entrance of the main street in the historic zone, looks toward the mountains. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to take a photo without including others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a0ebc196-45f0-4fda-afcc-8f2658c7b6e1/tepo2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Mirador Amatlan de Quetzalcoatl is approximately a 30 minute drive from Tlayacapan, but you'll definitely need a car for this activity. This is a remote, mountainous area, offering hiking and a few off-roading trails. The hike to the mirador is 2.5 miles and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. However, I'd recommend trying to find a few of the off-roading trails for a quicker drive to the top--I can't remember the exact road, but since there aren't many, it should be easy to find. This photo, taken just before reaching the top, looks over the valley. You can actually climb the mountains in the photos, but I don't think it's worth the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/485a3d55-2967-4647-84c8-76d69623a2a3/toluca.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out Hiking Nevado de Toluca (also known as Xinantecatl) was one of my favorite activities in all of Mexico and a "must-do" for adventure seekers. It offered a unique high-altitude experience inside an extinct volcanic crater containing two stunning alpine lakes: Laguna del Sol and Laguna de la Luna. I booked an all-day tour through GetYourGuide that picks you up and drops you off at your CDMX accommodation. You'll most likely join 3-4 other solo hikers and I believe the tour costs approximately $165 USD before adding a tip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b6043a52-5f08-4ed5-9799-0af0e88db459/Toluca2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The drive from CDMX to the trailhead is a scenic two hour journey. The trail starts at approximately 13,123 feet, making the thin air the primary challenge. However, this trail isn't for the faint of heart and you must be in good shape; it requires navigating steep, rocky ridges and Class 2-3 scrambling at more than 15,000 feet. If you're not experienced, I wouldn't recommend attempting this climb without a guide. Your guide will stop frequently to allow the group to catch their breath and take pictures. Both of these photos were taken from the rocky ridge and I must admit, the strong wind gusts made me a little nervous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cc692b0f-2bd5-4057-8a52-f07aa77cbb5d/toluca1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The descent was one of my favorite parts because it felt like you could "pretend-ski" down the gravelly mountainside. However, zig-zag your way; being too reckless can easily become quite dangerous. It's almost guaranteed that everyone in the group, including your guide, will take at least one small fall! Your guide will most likely treat the group to a small, rustic roadside restaurant (fondas) before arriving back at your hotel around 8-9pm. The fondas serve some of the most authentic and delicious tacos and local Mexican cuisine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/74951f0e-3686-4dd1-8408-9525be2f4284/469489120_10234965661344098_1811312833092820945_n.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Queretaro Queretaro is a vibrant state and city located in the central highlands of Mexico. It is widely recognized for its high quality of life, economic growth, and beautifully preserved colonial history. The city is approximately a 3 hour drive northwest of Mexico City and tolls cost $12 one-way. Queretaro was one of my favorite cities because it was safe, clean, had perfect weather, and was upscale, offering many art galleries and photogenic streets, especially in the evening. This photo was taken from one of the colonial streets while wandering the artsy historical center. One full day is enough to explore this city of just over a million people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/34afdce4-7d1c-40af-a163-f2578dd44954/Queretaro3.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The Aqueduct is one of Querétaro's most photographed structures. I recommend visiting Mirador de los Arcos at sunset for the best panoramic view of the 74 massive stone arches that define the city's skyline. You will also find local food trucks and music at the mirador, however, it's never too crowded. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3cc08d9c-696c-4497-a0d4-60ae5ffb12b3/Queretaro1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - You can wander the artsy historic center's Plaza de Armas and Jardin Zenea to see the heartbeat of the city. I believe this photo was taken from 16 de Septiembre calle, but I could be slightly off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3fd9b65d-6093-40c5-951d-48f610dd5bbc/Queretaro2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The local professional soccer team is Queretaro Futbol Club, widely known by their nickname Gallos Blancos (Wild Roosters) and they compete in Liga MX, the top division in Mexican soccer. The team is always in the bottom half of the standings and the stadium is falling apart. However, I wanted to see a game because I heard about their notoriously, violent fan base and wanted to experience it myself. As someone who grew up attending many Philadelphia Eagles games, this Mexican soccer game seemed normal to me. This photo was taken from the home side's half-field line. It's very easy to move up seats depending on the crowd size. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0f2ca4ae-dc68-4f7a-b085-3cecd9c415e9/Pena.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out Pena de Bernal is considered a "Magic Town" located approximately 45 minutes northeast of Querétaro. It can easily be visited in one day, but I recommend spending the night. For those adrenaline seekers, the monolith is one of the world's tallest free-standing rocks, popular for hiking and climbing. This photo, taken in the early morning hours was from the Main Plaza, is Instagram iconic: the Iglesia de San Sabastian (church) in the main plaza acts as a foreground element with the Pena towering behind it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b635cfdb-178b-4a5f-8154-656b1f5c7055/Pena2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Most adventure companies offer climbing tours for beginners to advanced levels, but you should be in good physical shape regardless of your skill level. I booked an intermediate level climb through a private guide via 57 Hours which costs around $400 not including a tip. Unfortunately, I left my phone in the car and couldn't take any photos, but it was an unbelievable experience that I highly recommend if you're comfortable with scary heights. Another option is to hike up to a high vantage point, though the ascent can be steep and often hot. This photo was taken from the rooftop restaurant at Hotel Real de la Pena. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/857a0123-6cf0-4061-8e91-c943b01148c0/Pena4.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Other things to do in Bernal include: 1) Home of the Gordita Negrito, so you definitely need to try a spot in Zona Central (look up El Mezquite) 2) Visit a rooftop bar for a view of the monolith 3) Try Pan de Queso 4) Light show of Bernal at 8pm and 9pm. Most tourists leave town after dinner so you'll likely have the entire town to yourself in the evening. This photo was also taken in the main plaza square in the late evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/963bc08c-cfe0-49dc-ac8c-3729b785134d/Sierra.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out Pena de Bernal is considered the southern gateway to the Sierra Gorda mountain Range and is approximately 1.5 hours from the famous Mirador Cuatro Palos. The mountain range is famous as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve featuring dramatic ecosystems and serving as a hotspot for jaguars and rare bird species. However, this area is much more popular with locals than with foreigners. The scenic bypass via Puerta del Cielo (Heaven's Door) to Cuatro Palos is fantastic. The small town next to Mirador Cuatro Palos is the community of Cuatro Palos, a small, rural settlement that manages access to the viewpoint. It is located about 3.5 miles off Highway 120 via a dirt road detour at the community of La Canada. The dirt road is very narrow and you might even wonder if you're going correctly, but you are! Once you reach the town, locals will charge a small entrance fee to visit the mirador, this fee supports the village's infrastructure. This is a third-world village and it's fascinating to watch the local kids playing soccer while the "ancianas" (older women) make handmade tortillas nearby. You only need a half a day at most for this entire excursion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/733c6029-e35d-4a15-8fcc-4ceb3109f7dc/Sierra2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Arriving before 6am is best for sunrise and to see the "sea of clouds." It's a relatively short and easy hike (15-20 minutes) to the viewpoint, but it requires a mandatory guide-- I believe the cost is around $5 USD. While it is a major landmark in the area, the nature-focused trip makes it a scenic experience rather than a loud tourist spot. We got lucky visiting in November when the trails are decorated with "ahorcados" during Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), and other soul-themed items representing the "animas." The larger photo above was taken from the mirador and you might need to walk over the ropes to get the best picture--the guides don't typically care. The second photo was taken from the trail that runs along the mountain's edge leading to the mirador. The returning trail isn't nearly as scenic, although it's still littered with the creepy, hanging dolls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9e3a3bf1-ab25-453c-acf3-f91b2a7ff1be/Guan.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out From the Sierra Gorda, you can head approximately 4 hours west to Guanajuato, the last location north of CDMX. Guanajuato is a vibrant state and city, celebrated as one of Mexico's most colorful and historically significant destinations. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique underground tunnel network, colonial architecture, and deep roots in the Mexican independence movement. Guanajuato is still under-the-radar for international tourism so you'll likely be one of a few foreigners. I stayed at Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique in the heart of the city and it was an extremely nice accommodation with a super cool rooftop bar and pool. The city is also considered a quintessential college town, centered around the historic Universidad de Guanajuato (founded 1732) which has buildings spread throughout the city. Needless to say, you might feel a little out of place here, but it's worth a visit for a day! The photo location is explained below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4e679db8-cfd7-44de-8533-b2ba42b48767/Guana.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - This photo was taken from the rooftop of my hotel, Casa del Rector. It's a great place to start your evening before heading to dinner or out for some drinks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4578365a-eb5f-45bc-ab94-8333e17a0f27/Guan2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - One of the most enjoyable activities in Guanajuato is wandering through the alleys to photograph the colorful walls and unique murals. Callejon del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) is probably the most famous alleyway where local legends say lovers can reach across the balconies to kiss. However, this photo was taken on the walk to the El Pipila Monument. As a rule of thumb, don't forget to look behind you or you might miss some of the best photos! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ce6d6e62-617d-4eb2-b83e-c8e425451f1a/Guan3.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Teatro Juarez is one of Mexico's most beautiful theaters, reflecting the wealth of the city's 19th-century mining boom. You'll likely see many students hanging out on the steps in the evenings, as it sits a few steps from the Jardin de la Union. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1b8833a9-e6e6-4536-b238-fe41ae862b12/Guan4.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - This photo was taken from a square looking toward the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Guanajuato (Our Lady of Guanajuato). This iconic 17th-century landmark is the centerpiece of the city's historic district and is easily visible from El Pipila Monument. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/959b8beb-9da0-40bf-ab3c-73c642b50e3c/guanaj.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - El Pipila Viewpoint is Guanajuato's most popular site, accessible via funicular (a cable-driven railway system) or by hiking. El Pipila (Juan Jose de los Reyes) is the legendary hero of Guanajuato and a pivotal figure in the Mexican War of Independence. His statue sits directly next to the viewpoint. I strongly recommend hiking to the viewpoint because it only takes 20- 30 minutes from the historic center and passing through all of the colorful alleyways is super cool. This photo and the photo above were taken from the viewpoint, however, the lookout area is large, allowing you to choose from many angles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2c5aa0c1-9005-489e-abd7-e1a34accb1f2/Val.png Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out The first destination to the east is Val' Quirico, a themed residential and tourist development in the state of Tlaxcala. It's approximately two hours from Mexico City and designed to resemble a medieval Tuscan village. It was built in the 21st century on the site of a former hacienda and features cobblestone streets, stone facades, and rustic European architecture. In my opinion, Val' Quirico felt more like a tourist trap and you wouldn't miss much if you decided to spend more time elsewhere. If anything, you only need a few hours to explore the boutique shopping, gastronomy and snap a few "Instagrammable" photos. This photo was taken near the village entrance; arrive super early to avoid crowds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ee38440d-fb33-4ebc-a053-5dd345489f1b/Val2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - There is generally no admission fee to enter the village, but parking requires a charge. I believe the operating hours are from 8am- 9pm and the best time to visit is on the weekdays to avoid the large crowds. I noticed that a few of the more popular dining spots included La Luna Sul Mare (Italian) and Meson de los Reyes (Spanish). In fact, Val 'Quirico reminded me of many small towns in Spain. This photo was taken from the main square from the second floor of a popular restaurant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c0064dc4-ba3a-443d-a318-5f33db6911d7/Cholula.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out From Val 'Quirico, you'll head 20 minutes south to your second destination, Cholula. The drive from CDMX and both towns can easily be combined into one day. Cholula is another vibrant "Pueblo Magico" in the state of Puebla, famously known for hosting the world's largest pyramid by volume. It's also recognized as Mexico's oldest continually inhabited city, with a history spanning over 2,500 years. The Great Pyramid is often mistaken for a natural hill, but this "made-by-hand mountain" has a volume nearly double that of Giza's Great Pyramid. As seen in my photos, a bright yellow colonial church is perched directly atop the hill, offering panoramic views of the city. However, I couldn't reach the top because it was closed by the time we arrived in the evening. Above is the iconic, Instagram photo of the church and Popocatepetl Volcano but I'm not aware of an actual viewpoint. We must have driven for an hour in the early morning before pulling over on a highway onramp to capture this perfect photo. It's nearly impossible to find this location on the map, but wake up extra early to secure a great spot before sunrise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/56e7b8ed-934e-4cc9-9adc-e5f813c80f72/Cholula2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - In case you're wondering, Cholula Hot Sauce was named after the city, but the sauce was actually founded in Jalisco. We didn't stay in Cholula for too long because we spent more time in Puebla and Atlixco. However, other activities include: 1) Archaeological Zone Tunnels where you can walk through roughly 800 meters of illuminated tunnels deep inside the pyramid; 2) Convento de San Gabriel Arcangel, located in the Zócalo, which is one of the oldest Franciscan friaries in Mexico; and 3) Zocalo (Plaza de la Concordia), a long, tree-lined main square bordered by the Portales, where you can find numerous cafes and restaurants. This photo was taken from the park with the large San Andres letters--I believe one of the main entrances to the pyramid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/62c01b8c-b5ae-45a8-88ae-bd66b4d80e66/Puebla3.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out From Cholula, it's a quick 25 minute drive east to Puebla, Mexico's fourth-largest city where you can easily spend one full day. The city sits on a high plain over 7,000 feet above sea level, framed by the dramatic volcanic peaks of Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. In my opinion, the top things to do here include: 1) visiting the Puebla Cathedral, a magnificent 16th-century structure dominating the city's central square, the Zócalo; 2) the Capilla del Rosario, located inside the Church of Santo Domingo, this chapel is often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World" for its stunning, opulent gold-leaf Baroque interior; 3) Callejon de los Sapos, a vibrant street famous for its colorful colonial buildings, antique shops, and flea markets; and 4) Gastronomy--Puebla is widely considered Mexico's culinary capital, having birthed several of the country's most iconic dishes. This photo was taken from Mirador de los Fuertes, located within the Historic Zone of the Forts. It is approximately a 10-minute drive or a 30-minute walk from the city center. A few other tour buses will likely be here around sunset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8665fd80-ba8b-4610-91b5-3330ce4ae07d/Puebla1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - I was lucky enough to be in Puebla for Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) which is celebrated from late October to early November. It features vibrant and elaborate streets and cultural parades in the historic center. Thousands of people flock to the Zócalo, and it almost feels like New Year's Eve. This photo was taken from one of the second story bars overlooking the main square. Arrive early because the rooftop restaurants and bars fill to capacity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/09b77288-14d5-4241-b8c4-eea12c9cbf4f/Puebla2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - My favorite part about Puebla was the food, especially because they invented mole sauce! These enchiladas at the El Mural de Los Poblanos restaurant are covered in three different types of mole, but the chocolate mole was the winner. This restaurant is iconic and always packed so you'll want to make a reservation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6cb1a0df-fb3e-4d44-8a57-c8af83a732fd/Atlixco1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out The small city of Atlixco, also known as the "City of Flowers," is located approximately 40 minutes southwest of Puebla. Again, it's another Pueblo Magico in the state of Puebla, celebrated for its year-round spring-like climate, colonial architecture, and massive flower production. The easily walkable city can be covered in a half a day and is not to be missed, as it's one of the prettiest areas east of CDMX. For me, the coolest attractions included La Escalera Ancha, Cerro de San Miguel, the Zócalo, and Avenida Hidalgo (Street of Flowers). This photo was taken from the bottom of La Escalera Ancha and capturing one without tourists is a waiting game. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2e91aae2-40c0-448d-bc06-491a968f48dd/atlixco1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - This was one of many colorful and colonial streets near the Escalera. Don't forget to look behind you or you might miss some of the best photo opportunities! Wandering the streets of Atlixco was the most fun part of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/04762862-f5a0-4ecb-83fe-8b9d3d40d8b4/atlixco2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Although this isn't Avenida Hidalgo, it was one of the prettiest small streets near the Zocalo (main square). Capturing clean photos is difficult due to the tourists and passing cars; it requires patience like the Escalera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/41fe058e-77e0-430b-9493-95f1ca38fb7a/atlixco3.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - This photo of the valley below was taken during the Cerro de San Miguel hike which lasts no more than an hour. On a clear day, it offers panoramic views of the city and the nearby volcano. At the top, you'll find the Capilla de San Miguel Arcangel. Although touristy, it isn't too crowded given the moderate hike up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f2ee7246-d023-4973-9e22-179b47df7f3b/Pachuca1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out From Atlixco, you have two options: 1) head back to home base in CDMX to spend a few days relaxing and sightseeing, and then go to Pachuca or 2) drive two hours north from Atlixco to Pachuca (recommended). You should only need two full days to visit Pachuca and Mineral del Chico, perhaps three days if you visit a few other nearby towns. I suggest staying in Plaza Independencia (the main square) because it's closest to all the action and the safest area. We stayed at one of the more luxurious hotels on the footsteps of the plaza, Hotel Capitalino. Pachuca is the capital of the state of Hidalgo and is known as "La Bella Airosa" (The Beautiful Windy City) because of the strong winds that sweep through its canyons. Also known as the "birthplace of football in Mexico," the city hosts the International Football Hall of Fame and the interactive Mundo Futbol museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c5b6ea82-d6f4-4e9f-b1b0-09a955ea39f2/Pachuca2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The coolest part about the city by far is the Macromurals de Pachuca. Located in the Palmitas neighborhood, this is one of Mexico's largest murals, covering hundreds of houses in vibrant rainbow patterns. The project, titled "Pachuca Se Pinta" (Pachuca Paints Itself), was a social experiment launched by the Mexican government in 2014 to rehabilitate the Palmitas neighborhood. The primary goal was to reduce youth violence and gang activity by creating jobs and instilling community pride. It's generally safe to walk during the day, but I'd still be careful walking alone, in the evenings, stray dogs, or through narrow alleys. For the most dramatic wide-angle perspective, head to the pedestrian bridge over Rio de las Avenidas and there are some good spots near the Sam's Club parking lot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9b8e5a6c-d9aa-45ad-885b-1033d4863aac/Pachuca3.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Both of the photos of the steps and the school were taken from within the neighborhood. Walking tours are also available, allowing you to see the details of the individual houses and meet the residents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/988ab82d-7635-44a8-b9df-d367e7b935d1/pachuca1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The Reloj Monumental is a 40-meter-tall neoclassical clock tower in Plaza Independencia. It was built with the same machinery as London's Big Ben to commemorate the centennial of Mexican independence. To capture this photo, you'll need to get to the 2nd or 3rd floor of one of the surrounding hotels. Unfortunately, the tower itself is covered in graffiti, which prevents a nice close-up photo. Pachuca's most iconic central market is the Mercado Primero de Mayo, which is also in the historic center and open daily. It serves as a vital hub for local life, fresh food and traditional goods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/71e284ea-84fc-4fff-9ccc-ba670c15b391/Pachuca2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The most famous viewpoint in Pachuca is Cristo Rey, a 33-meter-tall statue of Jesus that overlooks the entire city from the top of the Santa Apolonia hill. It is widely considered the best spot for 360-degree panoramic views of the "Windy City" and surrounding mountains. You can reach the summit by car or taxi departing from the city center. For more exercise, a moderate 1.2-mile trail leads from the city to the base, but I'm unsure of its safety. The site is generally open daily from 7am-5pm, and I believe there is a small fee to climb the stairs inside for an even higher vantage point. Unfortunately, we couldn't visit during normal hours so this is a photo of a nearby village from the same road leading to the entrance of the statue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7518e835-9f04-4be5-b19d-a1a5c9290bb4/Mineral1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out The last destination east of CDMX is Mineral del Chico, a small picturesque mountain town 45 minutes north of Pachuca. The Pueblo Magico is nestled in the Sierra de Pachuca at an elevation of almost 10,000 feet and serves as the gateway to the stunning El Chico National Park. Most visitors spend a day wandering the streets and hiking to Mirador Pena del Cuervo, but you can easily add more time by entering the National Park. This adventure sport hub features activities like Via Ferrata, ziplining, ATVing, and more. To get this photo, you need to either take an off-road vehicle or hike to Mirador Pena del Cuervo. Although fairly easy, the hike takes approximately 45 minutes to the viewpoint and most of the trail has a slight incline. Once at the viewpoint, the panoramic view of the mountains and town is pretty awesome and even more impressive in person. I found the best photo spot to be the far right of the platform; it's even better if you hop the wall which isn't technically allowed but nobody is monitoring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6d13be67-1fa4-43da-a89f-a828bb2a3c00/Mineral2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The small town of Mineral Del Chico consists of only a few streets and is highlighted by the neoclassical church, the Parish of the Immaculate Conception. Other than that, "must-try" items include mixiote (meat cooked in agave parchment) and the enchiladas. This photo overlooking the main square was taken from the Parish steps, and the yellow pole is impossible to miss. As mentioned before, there is much more to do nearby if time permits, including: 1) El Chico National Park; 2) Taking a road trip through the narrow, forested roads; 3) Visiting Real del Monte (Mineral del Monte) located 10-15 minutes away and famous for its Cornish mining heritage; and 4) Seeing Prismas Basalticos (Basaltic Prisms) -- towering geometric basalt columns formed by ancient lava flows, with waterfalls cascading over them (very touristy). If you had to choose one, I would research the National Park more, followed by the road trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4846486d-0591-4501-a422-0c0c015f9d12/Izt2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out Iztaccihuatl National Park is a premier outdoor destination, featuring the country's second and third-highest volcanoes. Known for its dramatic alpine scenery and challenging hiking trails, the park is a popular day trip adventure for visitors from CDMX or Puebla. However, I recommend leaving from CDMX since it's easier in general. Similar to Nevado de Toluca, this is a "must-do" activity if you enjoy adventure, nature, culture and challenging hikes. I booked a small group tour (3-4 people) for one day via Que Loco Tours and it was fantastic. I did the "Moderate" level tour, but four levels are available, ranging from Easy to Advanced. Since our group moved quickly, we ended up taking the more "Advanced Moderate" route which I recommend for anyone in really good shape. Breathing can be slightly difficult at 12,000- 13,000 feet, but nothing too concerning. The total cost is approximately $140 USD not including tip and the drive from CDMX is roughly two and a half hours. Honestly, you could probably do this hike yourself, but it can become a little dicey at times, so I'd recommend sticking with a guided tour, especially since they provide equipment. This photo of the Popo volcano was taken during the initial ascent of the hike and you can’t miss it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c2df7d84-bea8-488c-be51-da24e5cf8966/izt.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - As you continue to climb, you'll ascend into the clouds and the terrain will dramatically change to resemble another planet. The trail is very narrow in areas with lingering snow and ice, adding a little adrenaline to the adventure, but it's not concerning. I took this photo just after eating lunch on the summit as we began the descent. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f29433bf-c14b-4410-b4f0-ba656bac883c/Izt1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The final part of the descent is a bit of a fun obstacle course because there isn't a direct path; it's more of a boulder scramble. Those mountains in the background of this photo are where you're descending from, but the descent isn't nearly as difficult as it looks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/595c6d67-8133-4a16-b7db-36a42eaca314/Izta3.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - As you head back to the parking lot, you'll continue through the large meadow, which offers stunning views in all directions. You should know that I omitted many great photos to keep this blog readable, but many other landscapes from this trek are not captured here. This is a full day hike so be prepared to arrive at your hotel between 7pm- 10pm depending on the tour length. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4b0cdac3-bb19-421c-91cf-efb1c4969f36/MX1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Make it stand out Stating the obvious, Mexico City is gigantic and is considered the most populous city in North America. One could probably spend a month exploring everything CDMX offers, but you could see most of the top attractions in a week. As a reminder, I took limited photos of CDMX because it served as more of a hub for my trip, so exploring a few additional blogs could be helpful. This photo was taken from Bellini, the famous rotating restaurant located on the 45th floor of the World Trade Center. It's renowned as the world's largest revolving restaurant and offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city skyline. The food was decent, but not necessarily worth the money--however, the experience is still worth visiting for. Bellini is only 5 miles from Polanco, but traffic still makes the drive approximately 30 minutes by car. Since there isn't much else to do in the area, perhaps use Bellini as an early evening dinner spot to end one of your nights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/aeca97c9-9a91-4f05-9e02-ee24d31208a0/MX3.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Polanco, Condesa, and Roma are premier Mexico City neighborhoods with distinct vibes: Polanco is an upscale, modern area known for luxury shopping and fine dining; Condesa is a relaxed, leafy, Art Deco neighborhood popular with dog walkers; and Roma is a trendy, bohemian hub known for creative cafes, nightlife, and historic architecture. You can walk all three neighborhoods in two days if you start early in the morning and maintain a consistent pace. Day 1: Polanco-- The most popular attractions are the Museo Nacional de Antropología, Museo Jumex & Soumaya, Avenida Presidente Masaryk (for shopping) and Chapultepec Park. Museo Antropologia was always packed so arrive early or try to purchase tickets in advance. You could spend the rest of the day wandering Chapultepec park, often described as twice the size of New York's Central Park. Exploring Polanco's neighborhood streets can also keep you busy for hours. Polanco is widely considered the culinary heart of CDMX. The scene is defined by an upscale atmosphere, high-end international cuisines, and a strong presence of Michelin-starred restaurants. You can find more local dishes in Condesa, Roma and the rest of the city. Day 2: Condesa & Roma-- The heart of Condesa is a 22-acre park featuring lush trees, Art Deco monuments like the Foro Lindbergh, and a famous dog training school where you can watch off-leash dogs socialize. There is also a circular, tree-lined pedestrian walkway that follows the path of an old horse racing track, perfect for a scenic jog or stroll past elegant townhouses and hidden cafes--that's where this photo was taken from. Condesa also has one of the city's densest concentrations of specialty coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries and boutique shopping. Overall, I would have a difficult time choosing between Polanco and Condesa if I lived in CDMX. Roma is the vibrant, artistic, and slightly more urban counterpart to Condesa, often called the "Williamsburg of CDMX." It seemed much larger and had a younger demographic compared to Condesa. There are a few different parts of Roma Norte is the most popular area for visitors, packed with the city's trendiest restaurants, bars, and concept stores. Honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan of Roma because it didn't seem like my vibe, but others may love it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d753cba2-3cec-4746-a8bc-6cea5510e720/mx1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Centro Historico is the "beating heart" of Mexico City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that compresses 700 years of history into one vibrant, busy district. Built directly over the ruins of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, it features a unique architectural blend where ancient stone foundations support massive colonial cathedrals and 19th-century palaces. Although only 5 miles from Polanco, the trip takes about 30 minutes by Uber due to traffic. I recommend spending half a day wandering the area, but arrive early to avoid large crowds. My top attractions include: The Zocalo (Plaza de la Constitucion): One of the largest public squares in the world, this massive plaza is the city's political and cultural epicenter, surrounded by the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Torre Latinoamericana: My favorite part of the area, this 44-story skyscraper offers panoramic city views. Sunset is best for photos, but it's also the busiest time. The photo at the very top of this blog was taken from this tower as well. Templo Mayor: Located next to the Zocalo, these excavated ruins represent the Aztecs' most sacred temple, which they believed to be the center of the universe. Palacio de Bellas Artes: An iconic white marble palace with an Art Deco interior that serves as the city's premier venue for ballet and opera. It also houses Diego Rivera's world-famous murals. There are tons of markets and shopping stores to explore, but they won't have the premium quality of Polanco. I'd also be a little careful walking too deep into the side streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cbfc35ee-92fc-443c-9302-e18b83f19ea4/MX2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - One of the most popular quick day trips (~30 miles) from CDMX is Teotihuacan, an ancient Mesoamerican city, famous for its massive pyramids--most notably the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. There are a ton of organized tours, but I chose to Uber to set my own schedule. Visitors can typically climb parts of the pyramids for panoramic views of the city layout, though certain areas may occasionally be restricted. The entrance fee is approximately $10 and parking is $3 USD. Needless to say, this is an extremely touristy spot so arrive early to avoid large crowds. This photo was taken while looking at the Pyramid of the Sun and I waited about 30 minutes for most of the people to clear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8f71acd6-b0dc-4705-95f1-707676c27cd4/MX2.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - While visiting Teotihuacan, you cannot miss the hot air balloon flight over the pyramids! Both activities should fill one full day. I booked my tour through Viator for approximately $150 USD, but many sites sell the same activity. The balloon ride lasts approximately 30- 50 minutes and you'll split the ride with around 10 others. The views are great from all angles and most people are constantly moving, so don't stress if you're not on the best side to start. That being said, I'm not sure if it's entirely possible, but try to secure one of the last balloons to take off. You'll have many more balloons in view for a photo. Make sure to take photos shortly after departure or many of the balloons will have gone out of sight or landed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0ed8f230-6976-4ed6-b4ba-c45469173e5c/MX4.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Ecatepec de Morelos is a large city in the State of Mexico, primarily known as a major industrial hub and the most populous suburb of Greater Mexico City. It's approximately a 30 minute drive from Polanco. Ecatepec is home to Mexico's first aerial cable car system used for public transit, built to navigate the city's hilly terrain and high population density. Mexico City has many cable car lines, but in my opinion, the "Mexicable" is the most unique and adventurous. However, exercise caution: visit during daylight hours and consider hiring a private guide who knows the area well, as you will stick out. This isn't the neighborhood for wandering aimlessly, especially at night. This photo, taken a few minutes into the ride, faces Mexico City's skyline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/55ab970a-dc81-4fe8-bdc0-d5a0f3495343/MX4.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - The colorful houses in Ecatepec primarily result from a large-scale urban art project sponsored by the government to revitalize the community (similar to Pachuca). By turning drab concrete hillsides into vibrant landscapes, authorities hope to instill community pride and belonging among residents. The ride through these favelas is one of the coolest cable car experiences in Latin America, at least for me. This photo was taken approximately halfway through the ride facing the macromurals. Taking photos might feel awkward because this isn't considered a tourist destination and most locals are very poor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7cd9f2be-67cd-4371-bdde-6ef623814544/MX1.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Desierto de los Leones is a high-altitude national park approximately a 30- to 60-minute drive west from CDMX depending on traffic. There is no cable car access and calling an Uber from the park can be difficult. Despite its name, it is neither a desert nor home to lions. The park is typically open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays) and a half a day is all that's needed. While park access is often free or requires a nominal fee, there is a small charge (around 20 pesos) to enter the ex-convent. The park's centerpiece is a 17th-century monastery where visitors can explore its old cells, gardens and a network of dark, underground tunnels. The park is a premier destination for hiking and mountain biking. The most popular trail is Cerro San Miguel, the highest peak in the park, which offers expansive views of the valley of Mexico. Numerous food stalls near the entrance serve traditional Mexican dishes, most notably blue corn quesadillas and pulque. While we didn't have time to hike, we visited the monastery and had lunch at a Fonda (a small family restaurant), which was a nice time. I took this photo from the main monastery's garden and had to wait a while for the area to clear of tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4ad1eefe-7855-4d3e-99b8-b06201dd4c51/xoch.jpg Blog Overview - Mexico, Part 1: CDMX and its Neighboring Cities & Towns - Xochimilco is a historic borough located about 15 miles south of Mexico City's center. Known as the "Venice of Mexico," it is famous for its extensive network of ancient canals and colorful, flat-bottomed boats called trajineras. The atmosphere is often a "floating fiesta" with mariachi bands, food vendors in small canoes and partiers. We went during the Day of the Dead and it was packed with a younger crowd. There is also the Island of the Dolls (Isla de las Muñecas), a world-famous "dark tourism" site where hundreds of old, decaying dolls hang from the trees. According to legend, the island's former owner hung them to appease the spirit of a girl who drowned nearby. Keep the following in mind: 1) Go on Sundays for the full party experience. 2) The most common way to get there is by Metro Line 2 because Uber rides can often take an hour and a half. 3) Boat rentals are approximately $30 per hour. 4) Make sure to bring cash for boat fees, food and restroom access since most of the area doesn't accept credit cards or the signal might be bad. Overall, this is a nice place to end your weekend. I lost these photos so I transparently borrowed a similar one from the web. https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/Blog Post Title One-hdw8b-mbnfc-c6zdy monthly 0.5 2026-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ebf1316f-1047-4172-9b8a-e9a3ba766a31/boliv+ia.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Make it stand out I traveled to many adventurous places in southwestern Bolivia for four weeks in November and December 2025. Note: Bolivia is a large country offering a myriad of experiences. My trip is a fraction of what's possible so make sure to do additional research on your own. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d90bb3f4-2ed7-49bd-8dfc-7917678442fa/Pic7.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Since no direct flights exist from the United States to Uyuni, you will most likely have a short one-hour connecting flight (via BoA) from La Paz or Santa Cruz. From the Uyuni airport, your hotel or tour company's shuttle will likely pick you up, but taxis are typically readily available and safe. As mentioned in the Accommodations section, Hotel Palacio de Sal offers the most luxurious and unique hotel experience. Your tour company should provide hotel options and book on your behalf, but Palacio often sells out if you don't book 6 months in advance. This photo was taken approximately 100 yards from the entrance during sunset after most of the hotel staff had left in their cars. The large sunset photo at the top of this blog captures many of the hotel's amenities upclose. Although the hotel has kids' rides, the vast majority of guests are adults. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ee84aee2-8a6d-424b-8e0e-4bc35500d375/star.png Blog Overview - Bolivia - I booked a three-day tour via Visit South America because it was private and customizable--I love starting super early to avoid any potential crowds and capture better photos. You'll typically have two companions: the driver and the actual guide. They get paid very well and don't rely on tips, but I gave each of them $100 USD because it was a spectacular experience. Be advised that their English skills are subpar to say the least, so it was a great opportunity to practice my Spanish! My first day's stargazing excursion was an extra "add-on cost," but since I may not ever return, I felt it was worth a splurge. The tour started at 4am and the drive goes deep into the salt flat to avoid any man-made light. Be prepared for very cold weather; I couldn't stay outside the truck for more than 10 minutes at a time. Honestly, I didn't have very high expectations but the quantity of visible stars, constellations and planets blew me away and I couldn't stop staring at the Milky Way. My guides took this photo using special props and lighting. They will even create a time lapse video of the sunrise upon request. After a few hours on the flat, the guides will drop you off at your hotel to relax for a few hours before the next trek begins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a983ee28-1c7e-41ae-9efb-4f0b8ba36f61/Pic42.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Later that same morning, we started a long road trip to the salt flats. Our first stop was the Dakar Monument and the photo of the flags there is iconic. However, this area can be slightly crowded with tourists, so grab a few pictures and move on to stay ahead of the crowds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/75ff289f-3055-43cf-8e17-e221ed417342/Pic33.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Make it stand out The drive from Dakar to Incahuasi Island (only during the dry season) takes about 1 hour. The island is a hilly, cactus-covered rocky outcrop situated in the center of Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. Once a submerged volcanic peak in a prehistoric lake, it now serves as a surreal "island" in a sea of white salt, famous for its giant cacti and panoramic views of Tunupa volcano. Tell your driver you'd like to arrive early to explore before more people arrive. Once you park, start the climb up from the left side of the trail because it's more scenic and you should do it before the rest of the crowd arrives--the trail follows a "U" shape path. This photo was actually taken on the way down just before reaching the entrance area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0556a209-8905-46e5-bbb8-5638edd1e3a2/Pic12.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - One of the coolest parts about the day was having Thanksgiving dinner in the middle of the salt flat. Upon request, my guides cooked up some local healthy options including grilled chicken, rice and vegetables. I had my guide take the photo with the Tunupa volcano in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/de406643-2386-4cfb-bb94-a020d04b8d20/Dino2.png Blog Overview - Bolivia - On the ride back to your hotel, your guides will likely make a pitstop in the middle of nowhere and offer props for capturing Instagram-famous photos. However my photos were not ideal because: 1) I did not visit during the wet season so the "mirror effect" wasn't visible, at least in this region of the flat and 2) I'm the least photogenic person alive, even after multiple attempts! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9b2ce9df-8d12-4946-9017-d715f7b2041c/Pic30.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - After a short rest at your hotel, the guides will take you to the day's final sunset destination, the Crystal and Salt Eyes, where you can capture more of the iconic mirror effects. Be prepared for crowds of tourists, but surprisingly, they enhance the photos in this rare case. This was the only time in Bolivia when I missed being in a larger group because it allows for more unique photo opportunities. To top things off, your guides will likely offer wine and snacks to celebrate the end of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e2e94d03-edf0-497f-a61c-557bd8c01489/Clouds.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - If you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to all kinds of unworldly mirror effects during sunset so make sure you’re always watching in every direction! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/bf7242b8-cca1-4cbc-b0e4-0b16736905b6/Pic56.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Make it stand out And lastly, I'm not typically one to take photos of other travelers, but I couldn't resist snapping this group from China. They came prepared! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f306cc96-4d49-44a1-8835-71dff4769819/Col2.png Blog Overview - Bolivia - The Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna Reserve was one of my favorite parts of Bolivia! However, you should consider skipping a few short stops that will likely be planned in advance. Additionally, please be aware that the sequence of these activities might be slightly out of order because of a glitch in my photo library and I can’t recall it from memory. Colchani is a very tiny town located a few minutes from the Palacio Hotel, home to Bolivia's largest salt-processing cooperative. You will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, take a tour, and interact with locals. The photo on the left shows the main intersection, which is also easily reachable by renting a bike from the Palacio. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0e6ff693-6b76-4f02-9094-d664de803fa4/Pic22.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Another very popular attraction is the Train Cemetery in the city of Uyuni. Although the cemetery offers a very unique photo opportunity, it gets very crowded with tourists, and it wasn't my cup of tea. Arrive very early and then walk to the opposite side of the train for the best photo opportunity, as it should be empty there. About an hour later, you’ll likely pull over at the famous rock formations, often referred to as part of the Valle de Rocas (Valley of Rocks), feature iconic, wind-eroded volcanic formations. The most famous individual rock, often resembling a condor's habitat or wings, is the Árbol de Piedra (Stone Tree). If I had to do this all over again, I would probably stop at the Train Cemetery even earlier in the morning and skip the other two to have more time in the reserve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4d6a0575-a513-43a7-a9ff-c7aea119d2e9/Pic24.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - The exciting part of the reserve begins shortly after departing Valle de Rocas. This photo shows a group of vicuñas on the side of the road. The vicuña is a wild South American camelid and one of the four camelid types (along with llamas, alpacas, and guanacos) found in the Andean region of Bolivia. Vicunas are usually very timid and live in family-based groups (one male, 5-15 females, and young) or bachelor herds. They are very shy and highly sensitive to intruders, often running away when you exit the car. This photo took many attempts, but don't be disappointed if you miss your first opportunity--it's nearly impossible not to see a group of them every few hours. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0d6c483c-a76a-46b7-8472-c0b39d168867/Pic52.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - As you drive deeper into the reserve, the roads disappear and you'll whisk through the Andean desert via remnant tire tracks, racing and dodging boulders and exotic animals along the way. If it doesn't make you feel like you're on Mars, I don't know what will! Not long after traveling off-the-beaten-path, you will descend into a valley where hundreds of llamas roam freely. Interestingly enough, most Bolivian llamas have owners, but they don't mind if tourists approach them. This photo was taken about half way down the hill from the side of the road. You can even skip across those grassy moats to get super close to the animals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/378289a8-4d8e-48ee-bcab-62b060df4ff5/Pic34.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - After another ~10 minutes of driving, you'll begin passing through a surreal valley with a majestic volcano directly ahead. Don't wait too long because the landscape changes rapidly. Exit your vehicle and walk about 50 yards into the brush on the righthand side of the road to capture this photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/25e34d85-132e-457a-ae90-535dcd336d9e/flamingo.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Make it stand out Within another hour (I can't remember exactly), the landscapes and wildlife will leave you even more in awe. You'll reach the first of many lagoons (Lagoon Cunapa) where thousands of wild flamingos make their home. Amazingly, the reserve does not fence off the flamingos, but you're technically supposed to stay behind the gravel path. Even more shocking is that you may see only a few other cars in a place that would otherwise be a zoo in the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d4538c65-9783-49aa-97a1-f9fe952666c2/Pic44.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia Lagoon Honda is next and even more mesmerizing because the water consists of bright teal blues and greens and the flamingos stand much closer to the roads. To get this photo, walk down to the lagoon and sit on one of the boulders to hold your camera steady. Technically, you're not supposed to get this close to the flamingos, but most of the private tour guides will look away as long as you're respectful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c00d9bb3-57af-47c4-92e1-e5c7f1b53b83/Pic39.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - As you leave Lagoon Honda, you will slowly ascend on a dirt path that overlooks the lagoon and offers another spectacular, unworldly view of it. Exit your vehicle and walk slowly down the rocky hill to find this photo opportunity--beware, it could be very windy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8d5569cd-8b00-4162-88ee-b9a6df71cb90/Tree.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - The next stop is the iconic 7-meter-tall Tree Stone, a volcanic rock formation sculpted by wind erosion in the Siloli Desert. Hundreds of other gigantic boulders, which resemble another planet, are unseen in this photo. This photo was taken about half way between the small parking lot and the tree stone. The location is a lot more breathtaking than this photo might suggest! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/84e3de9a-9e5c-429d-a9bf-50becd40dc7a/Pic45.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - One of the reserve's most fascinating areas was the Geysers de Sol de Mañana (Morning Sun). These are high-altitude geothermal fields characterized by intense volcanic activity. The area features bubbling mud pots, roaring fumaroles, and steam plumes that can reach heights of up to 50 meters. Shockingly, there are no warning fences or walls to keep tourists away so you really can't be belligerent. That being said, the geysers are deep within the reserve so large crowds are uncommon. It's difficult to explain how to get this photo, but know that it's the most popular geyser in the area and impossible to miss. You might also be able to figure out the location by using the video below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/987640b4-5b94-419b-bfed-61a5de1455a3/Pic15.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - By this point, you will have driven 3 hours into the National Reserve with more to experience the next day. Included in the tour cost should include a one-night stay at the Hotel Tayka del Desierto. Hotel Tayka is an extremely remote, eco-friendly lodge located in the heart of the Siloli Desert that resembles a space station. It is famously situated at an extremely high altitude of approximately 14,700 feet, making it one of the highest hotels in the world! The rooms are a nice size and the bedding is exceptionally comfortable. However, the showers have limited hot water so it's important to wake up very early before it runs out. This is also one of the hotels where dehydration made it difficult for me to sleep and use the bathroom. This photo, taken from up the hill around sunrise, looks down at the hotel entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/68dc7bc1-8d6f-483a-a306-2e4c40bd385e/Pic32.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Once settled into Hotel Tayka, a nice dinner will be provided for all of the tourist groups, offering a great opportunity to meet other adventurous travelers. This photo, taken from the center of the seating area during sunrise, felt out of this world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ab7c77c0-c09f-472f-87df-b30dd9b56c4d/Pic18.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Make it stand out At the crack of dawn, your guides will drive another one to two hours to Laguna Colorada, a shallow 15,000-acre, high altitude salt lake known for its striking red color caused by algae and sediments. It's also a primary nesting site for thousands of rare Andean and James's Flamingos. They might ask if you'd like to stop at the Hot Springs on the way, but it's not worth it in my opinion. I recommend skipping the springs and getting to Laguna Colorada earlier to have more time to explore before the crowds appear. This photo was taken from the very last lookout point which is the lagoon's most vibrant red section. You can also walk down the hill to get closer to the flamingos, but the view isn't as striking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/82c7972b-911d-4463-9cc4-41512609fae8/Pic38.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Here is another vantage point from Laguna Colorada, but this one is from the bottom of the hill, looking in the opposite direction of the photo above. As a heads up, the flamingos will quickly flock to other areas of the lagoon if you get too close. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2aa0f39f-994b-4561-990d-9cdc8fce47cd/verde.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - The last stop in the reserve is Laguna Verde, a stunning high-altitude salt lake located near the border of Chile. It is famous for its vibrant green-to-turquoise color and its dramatic setting at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. You might be one of a few tourists to reach this final destination because it is so deep within the reserve and most tours do not make it this far. This panoramic video was taken from the path on top of the cliff, looking down at the lagoon. From here, you will start the four-hour journey back to your hotel in Uyuni, potentially stopping at a few more smaller lagoons along the way. Your guides will also stop in San Cristóbal to visit the local market and fill up the gas tank. San Cristobal is a very small town in the Potosi Department known for its colonial-era church and significant open-pit silver, lead, and zinc mine. However, I wouldn't expect to take any noteworthy photos here. A short drive from Laguna Colorada is the last stop in the reserve, Laguna Verde, a stunning high-altitude salt lake located near the border of Chile. It is famous for its vibrant green-to-turquoise color and its dramatic setting at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. You might be one of a few tourists to reach this final destination because it is so deep within the reserve and most tours do not make it this far. This panoramic video was taken from the path on top of the cliff, looking down at the lagoon. From here, you will start the four-hour journey back to your hotel in Uyuni, potentially stopping at a few more smaller lagoons along the way. Your guides will also stop in San Cristóbal to visit the local market and fill up the gas tank. San Cristobal is a very small town in the Potosi Department known for its colonial-era church and significant open-pit silver, lead, and zinc mine. However, I wouldn't expect to take any noteworthy photos here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/07f7e3c3-7a15-477d-bc80-b7208d8d94bd/Pic54.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia La Paz is the world's highest administrative capital city, nestled in the Andes at altitudes ranging from 11,000- 13,500 feet. It is a city defined by its dramatic topography, vibrant indigenous culture, and a unique urban transport system that floats above its crowded streets. The taxi ride from the airport to the Zona Sur hotel was one of the most jaw-dropping rides of my life; you drop 2,000- 3,000 feet while snaking through third world neighborhoods, and the entire city below looks like it was built on top of Mars. The remainder of this blog is in no particular order since you can use La Paz as your home base for all these activities. Lastly, this photo was taken from one of the city's most popular miradores (lookouts), which is covered below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1c3e3be6-a162-48a1-acd8-befd510bfb15/Bolivia.png Blog Overview - Bolivia - The Centro Historico of La Paz, also known as Casco Viejo, is the city's colonial and political heart. Characterized by steep cobblestone streets, vibrant plazas, and a blend of Spanish and indigenous architecture, the area contains the city's most significant landmarks. In my opinion, you can easily visit the most noteworthy sites—Plaza Murillo, Plaza San Francisco, Calle Jaen, The Witches Market, and Mercado Rodriguez—in one day without hiring a guide. Although the area looks underdeveloped and few tourists are visible, it is generally very safe; however, be a little more careful at night. If time permits, there is much more to visit in the area, or you can just wander for hours like me. This photo was taken from the busy Perez Velasco Pedestrian Bridge, the city's most famous footbridge, which crosses over Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c421a900-ead3-41d8-997c-ca0047068df1/Pic49.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Calle Jaén is widely considered the finest colonial street in La Paz, known for its remarkably preserved 18th-century architecture, vibrant colors, and cobblestone paths. It's actually a short pedestrian alleyway that's a bit overhyped in my honest opinion, but still worth checking off the list. The pathway has a slight incline and this photo was taken from the bottom, looking up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3b469370-e987-4076-8f86-b04b8c069937/Pic29.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Mercado Rodriguez in Centro Historico, is La Paz's largest and most vibrant food market, where locals shop for fresh produce, meats, and household essentials. Unlike the more tourist-oriented Witches' Market nearby, Mercado Rodriguez offers an authentic glimpse into daily Paceno life. The best time to visit is during the lively Friday and Saturday mornings, as more vendors travel from the countryside to sell their freshest harvests. My favorite snacks to buy were the pasankallas, often referred to as Bolivian popcorn; some contain much more sugar than others. This photo, taken from the main street, Calle Rodriguez, features a mother and son in their traditional Bolivian clothing. Note: It was raining and the market was closing shortly so expect it to look much different during a nicer time of day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6944d8a4-4cdd-44ba-912a-979594579009/Murillo.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Plaza Murillo serves as the city's central square and "Kilometer Zero" for the country's road network. The plaza is famously surrounded by Bolivia's most significant administrative and religious institutions: the Palacio Quemado, Casa Grande del Pueblo, Catedral Metropolitana, Central Monument and Palacio Legislativo. The square is also a lively gathering place where locals and tourists feed thousands of pigeons and watch political rallies or cultural performances. Transparently, the plaza was a bit underwhelming compared to some of the other sites in Centro Historico. Additionally, this isn't a very photogenic location, but standing on the steps facing the monument with the Palacio Legislativo in the background is probably your best bet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0222c5d2-3518-4983-86eb-cb91efbbbd7a/witches.jpeg Blog Overview - Bolivia - The Witches' Market (locally known as Mercado de las Brujas) is one of La Paz's most famous and culturally significant attractions. Located in the Centro Historico, it's a hub for Aymara traditions, where spiritual beliefs and everyday life intersect. Most stalls typically open daily around 9:30am and close by 7-10pm. The market offers a mix of authentic ritual supplies used by locals and handicrafts for tourists. It honestly reminded me of many Central and South American cities with colorful umbrellas suspended over the streets. Some people advised me to always ask permission before photographing vendors, as some consider it disrespectful or bad luck, however, I didn't notice any such reaction. I enjoyed walking through this area, but it was definitely the most touristy spot in Centro Historico. Unfortunately, I somehow misplaced my Witches' Market photos and had to find something from Google for now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2753f57a-5fb6-40af-9385-47da99cbbbeb/Pic21.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Make it stand out A great way to finish the day is by visiting Mirador Killi Killi during sunset. The Mirador is one of the most famous and central viewpoints in La Paz, offering a nearly 36--degree panoramic view of the city's unique "bowl" topography. It is located atop a steep hill in the Villa Pabon neighborhood. It is a roughly 10-15 minute walk from Centro Historico, but the climb is extremely steep and physically demanding. I recommend taking a Taxi or Uber since they are affordable and can drop you off directly at the entrance. Entry should be free, and bring a jacket because it can get windy and cold at the top. The location is generally considered safe during the day, but I wouldn't walk back at night. If you're able, visit during a soccer game for a more fun experience. On a clear day, Mount Illimani, the second-highest mountain in Bolivia standing at 21,122 feet, can be seen in the distance. This photo spot is impossible to miss, but I'd be cautious about standing on the ledge, which you'll likely see others doing a lot. The first large photo in this section was also taken from Killi Killi but from a more central area of the lookout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6e8cf0e0-65ef-4b7e-bfc0-03bdaedfa377/Pic19.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - If you're an avid adventure seeker, you absolutely MUST try biking "Death Road." Yungas Road, universally known as "Death Road," is a legendary 64-kilometer route connecting the high-altitude city of La Paz to the subtropical Yungas region. Historically dubbed the "World's Most Dangerous Road" due to an annual death toll of 200-300 people, it has transitioned since 2006 into a world-famous destination for adventure tourism. I booked an all day private tour via Gravity Tours which costs approximately $500 USD, including extra insurance and tolls encountered on the way. For those who want a more extreme experience, they offer another tour that starts even higher up in the snowy mountains, but it was already cold enough for me. Make sure to leave yourself an extra day in case you need to reschedule due to inclement weather. Gravity will pick you up at your hotel around 6am and take you to a local neighborhood breakfast spot closer to the starting area. You'll arrive at the lake shortly after breakfast and they will provide all safety instructions and gear before the journey begins. I recommend wearing their gear at the top for the cold weather, but pack it away once you reach the official start of Death Road, as it will become much warmer and the clothing is unflattering for photos. From there, finishing the ride might take another four to six hours, but this can greatly vary based on experience level and break frequency. You might not return to your hotel until 7-8pm. Be prepared that your guide's English skills might not be the best. This photo was taken approximately ten minutes into the ride at one of the pull-off overlooking the valley. Be advised that Gravity's photo skills are horrible so you'll need to instruct them carefully. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6ef9a474-8295-4069-a330-f8c35cf62203/Starting+Point.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - For the first hour, you'll whisk down well-paved, winding roads, possibly through clouds, tiny local villages and absolutely amazing landscapes. Transparently, you might even encounter a few scary dogs that chase you. I strongly recommend taking photos whenever possible because cloud cover can occur at any given moment. You reach the official start of Death Road at this sign, which is where you'll want to change into lighter clothing. At this point, you should also explain the most important aspects of your ride to your guide—for example, whether you want to go fast, how often you want to stop for photos, etc.—and they will customize the ride. An emergency van will trail far behind you at all times. Get a few photos and videos of the van on the narrow roads before the road widens later on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ce64dcb9-51d6-419d-bd68-40c086f8fa1b/Snaking+road.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Within only 5 minutes of the ride, you'll reach the first main photo spot: a turquoise structure with a view of what's in store. You will likely see a few other groups on the road, but it was much emptier than expected-- which I obviously loved. That being said, professional mountain bikers from around the world will occasionally sprint down the hill past you at dangerous speeds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/44512e91-dfb9-4364-9f55-2290b9e3bd41/famous.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - Make it stand out The iconic photo "Instagram" spot is on the road's most dramatic section, roughly an hour after the turquoise structure near the San Rafael Waterfall, but I might be a little off on the time. I was fortunate enough to have this spot to myself for the first 30 minutes, but a line of ~10 people was waiting by the time I left. I should have mentioned this earlier: ask your guide to start the tour earlier than normal to stay ahead of any potential bike traffic. To get this photo, you'll need the guide to take it with your camera unless you're with others. Even after giving this tour so many times, they are terrible at photography so you'll need to provide exact instructions. Holding the camera vertically is an even better option because it shows the steepness, but horizontal fits better into my blog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e3fbcbf7-6d08-4b3a-b306-c220eb9d42a3/leopard.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - The road opens up during the last hour of the journey, allowing faster travel through the villages and subtropical climate if you choose to do so. Overall, it was one of my favorite extreme adventure experiences on any trip and I would do it again in a heart beat. Although I was nervous at a few points, the road wasn't nearly as dangerous as I expected. At the end of the ride for an extra cost, you have an opportunity to visit La Senda Verde, an animal sanctuary situated near the village of Yolosa. The sanctuary rescues animals from trafficking and was surprisingly a worthwhile stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/dbae4e48-99d7-47b7-8165-9081662466a0/Valle1.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - You can accomplish the last two activities, Valle de la Animas and the Teleférico, on the same day if you start the hike at 6am and have the energy to conquer the cable cars in the afternoon. Valle de las Animas is a spectacular geological formation located approximately 30 minutes from Zona Sur. Do not confuse Animas with Valle de la Luna, the latter offers a similar activity but is a tourist trap and not nearly as majestic. Valle de la Animas is known for its thousands of needle-like rock spires that reach heights of up to 200 meters. It offers a dramatic, otherworldly landscape shaped by millions of years of wind and water erosion. The only issue with Valle de la Animas is that the "unofficial" entrance is in an obscure area that is difficult for Ubers to find. Additionally, few Ubers will pick you up after the hike so you'll need to walk to the nearby village to call an Uber or find a taxi. The entrance is a lonely, gravelly road that almost looks like a construction site and you might even see a cow or two nearby. There aren't many other hikers so if you don't see anyone, it doesn't mean you're not in the right place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cb31fe71-db82-4cd9-a70c-0f0b840674f9/valle2.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - There is no entrance fee and it's open 24-7. The hike typically takes between 2 and 5 hours, but you'll see plenty even if you only last 2 hours. Because the area is at a very high altitude, even shorter distances can be physically demanding. In my opinion, the first 30 minutes of the hike were the most scenic, although others might disagree. Within the first 15 minutes, the trail narrows, requiring you to squeeze between rock walls, duck under rocky overhangs and navigate slippery rocks. You will likely get dirty so dress accordingly with durable hiking boots. You may see Andean foxes, viscachas, llamas, alpacas, and donkeys throughout the valley, but no dangerous predators exist. Both of these photos were taken within the first 30 minutes of the hike looking up hill. However, this is one of those hikes where you'll always want to keep your head on a swivel since great photos exist at every angle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7330ed17-b882-463d-ba9b-87e1f394d9c5/20251202_152116.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia - I must have spent an entire day riding every Teleferico line, stopping in random local neighborhoods, and meeting a few fascinating people along the way. In my opinion, the most scenic line by far is the Red Line which offers a unique perspective of the city, passing over the large General Cemetery, the colorful Chualluma neighborhood, and climbing up to El Alto. The views from El Alto are spectacular, especially if you are there on a Thursday or Sunday when the large market is in full swing. I would say that the Yellow and Green are tied for second place. Locals often cite the Yellow Line as the most scenic; it offers incredible views of the city, mountains, and the upper cliffs. The Green Line runs through the lower, more affluent neighborhoods and along the city's southern part, providing excellent views of the surrounding canyon walls and vegetation. Both the video and photo were taken a few minutes after leaving the top of the Red Line looking back at the Chualluma neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231331932-EL7PP3A39J8C4W7TKQET/20251125_154338+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231343659-YBWI8I4UCYRXHY9UY0ID/20251126_144756%7E3.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231341847-2RCM7P0NBKAVME5JGJ7L/20251126_190925.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231405646-5EPWLK5AYZ029RVZGN4U/20251127_111618.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231375395-WGHYSZN8ADNQZWK7PZYJ/20251127_123306%7E2+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231331788-0MO6OME8BV57VNZNKIP0/20251125_191123.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231460704-CH7ECT8KFNX4GMRHZPJF/20251128_165019.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231469629-HN6RVBMJYDVRUHBYGX3G/20251129_103732.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231474754-D9WKNRQ0LMWLEX21QQI1/20251201_111912.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775231473316-YVEGCX1VZ08Y7LR2UMC4/Screenshot_20251127_152431_Gallery+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775250126244-YI9TCLK34E3VWB793YJE/mother.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775250139693-G4S00WI9SOFRMVGHPG0M/clouds.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1775250222030-GBKLZ1KHT62O8D69OFNX/hotel3.jpg Blog Overview - Bolivia https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/Blog Post Title One-hdw8b-mbnfc monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d7f2f8f8-6c42-40a6-883b-2d7621ef8cb8/chile.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Make it stand out I visited Torres del Paine, Chile from 11/6- 11/16 (2025) and then flew to Bariloche, Argentina where I stayed from 11/17- 11/23. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/05c2438a-c274-430c-afb7-244d6d9e0eb1/tdp.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The hike to the Base of Torres del Paine is the most famous “day hike” in the park, followed by the French Valley. I strongly suggest prioritizing this hike and planning it when the weather looks most promising. Windguru is the most accurate website for tracking weather inside the park. Keep in mind, the weather in Puerto Natales can be completely different than Torres del Paine. Purchasing a park pass is required and can be bought at the park entrance or online. Buying online will allow you to enter the park 24-7 rather than having to wait for the visitor’s office to open at ~8:30am. Now that you’ve secured 24-7 access, you definitely want to start the hike no later than 5am in order to capture the sunrise and avoid large crowds later in the day— this means that you should depart Puerto Natales at 3am to be safe. The hike takes most visitors ~8 hours to complete roundtrip. The temperature will likely be very cold during the early morning hours of your hike (~40 degrees) and then gradually become warmer as the day progresses (~60- 70 degrees). However, the temperature will drop like a stone once you reach the summit and you won’t last more than 15 minutes without a hat and gloves (even during summer). That said, make sure to wear multiple layers since you can always remove them along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/210733cd-b27b-4f36-9dc6-9cf34e542383/base1.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - If you have a car, I recommend doing the hike without a tour guide since the path is well marked. If you feel more comfortable with a guide, I suggest booking Javier’s tour on ToursByLocals— but be warned, he’s a machine. To reach the trailhead, I would park in one of the lots near Hotel Las Torres Patagonia and then it’s a ~1 km walk to the trailhead. The photo of the mountain above shows the trailhead directly after walking passed the hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/06441bd6-6d32-4d4f-9b62-e211b7c820fb/base2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The first hour is mostly uphill and can be a bit challenging if you’re not in great shape. However, you’ll be rewarded with a few epic photo opportunities as the sun reflects off the mountains at sunrise. These two photos were taken ~45 minutes into the climb. Don’t forget to stop and look backwards from time to time because many of the best photos are behind you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1ea80bf4-9f02-44ee-8cab-3cf7b124fd66/wind.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Once you reach the top of the hill and the terrain starts to plateau, you will enter a strong wind tunnel that might last for up to 10 minutes. The view is fantastic (photo above), but the trail is also narrow so be cautious of these obstacles. Shortly after the wind tunnel, you will descend for ~45 minutes through a forest and river before reaching “base camp.” This is a widely popular camping ground where you can take a short rest break. However, don’t wait too long because you’ll want to stay ahead of the crowds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2b210482-ea16-4843-b8c3-2f0c5c927753/river.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The photo above was taken from the bridge above the river, just before base camp. Fast forwarding things a little bit, you’ll spend the next hour traversing up and down through forest landscapes before approaching the final ascent. You might now see a lot of people returning from the opposite direction at this point, but don’t be alarmed. These are hikers that either started ~1am or slept at base camp and had a head start— most of them will be gone by the time you reach the summit. Upon breaking into daylight, take a break and buckle up, the most grueling leg of the excursion is about to commence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/51ee2f77-74d4-4df7-bf6a-7699567fa389/towers.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - For the last hour, you’ll be climbing very rocky and steep terrain while at the same time, the temperature will begin to plummet, and the air will become thinner. It probably won’t feel overly cold at first because of your constant movement, but it will eventually hit once you break at the summit. About ~5 minutes before reaching the lake, make sure to keep looking up and you’ll spot the view in the photo above. Don’t hesitate to start snapping photos if you’ve got a clear view of the towers because the clouds can roll-in at any given moment— it happened to me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/af12d843-156e-495c-bd61-499679bbe80c/me.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Before you know it, you will be rewarded with one of the most epic views in the world and a surge of joy will breathe new life into your body. Do not wait to get your photos because your body will begin to go numb after ~20 minutes and more people will be arriving soon. Quickly walk down to the lake and you’ll find a few large boulders to act as seating for your photos. I would suggest walking along the ridge of the lake to capture the different angles as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2ba7c1a4-42fd-4b3e-985f-bf8ce4ab5fd8/landscape.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - If you’re seeking a more unique and adventurous activity, puma trekking should be the second priority on your list. Without a professional guide, your odds of seeing a puma on your own are close to zero. There are multiple tour companies that claim to offer this excursion, but only a few that actually have permission to access the Estancia where many of the pumas call home. I recommend hiring Leona Amarga Expeditions since they were the most responsive and they offered more flexible options including 1-day and 2-day tours. I paid extra money for a private tour so that I could be on my own time. One cool thing about the Estancia is that they only allow up to 10 guests at any given time so that it doesn’t feel like a zoo. Just to be clear, the Estancia does not own the pumas, and they are free to roam all over the park. It just so happens that many pumas prefer the Estancia’s vegetation as a home. Honestly, one day is all you need unless you’re obsessed with pumas. The tour is typically broken up into morning and evening sessions since that’s when pumas are move active. Since I had a few close encounters early in the morning, I decided to go for 6 straight hours in order to have the rest of the day to explore the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/33e34153-30e5-4e36-bc11-cf6133ed335f/puma.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The tour typically starts at 6am so you’ll need to leave Puerto Natales by 4:30am latest. However, I’d recommend leaving 45 minutes earlier for some extra photo time— the first picture with the lake was taken a short walk from the parking lot meeting-spot. It’s common for a few guides to work together with walky-talky’s to track the pumas. They will drive off-road throughout the Estancia, occasionally stopping in hot spots so that everyone can use their binoculars to search for the cats. The rule of thumb is that if you spot a group of guanacos, a puma is typically nearby. We got very fortunate because we spotted a female puma making her way up a hill with the towers perfectly visible in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e83838e-7bba-4b53-a732-704ee05d5f4f/llama.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Since it was a rare, perfectly sunny day and I had already gotten the best puma photos possible (in my opinion), I had asked the guide to show me around the rest of the Estancia for other dramatic photo opportunities. It was an exciting off-road adventure as we zoomed throughout the Estancia, often running into groups of guanacos. You will likely encounter the same landscapes if you ask your guide to do the same. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/444b545f-5452-4171-af90-81930baf1e98/llama2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - It’s difficult to explain where these two pictures were taken since we drove all over, but the guides will definitely know if you show the pictures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/991f9bb1-4147-4224-b41c-ba01c97f3b1e/road.png Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Make it stand out For the third day, my advice would be to trek around Torres del Paine by car. This should be a very packed day so you’ll need to depart super early, or you could combine a few of these stops on the day of the puma trekking to give yourself more flexibility. Additionally, keep in mind that there are many activities that are not covered in my blog so do your homework to ensure that you’re not missing anything. (The photo above was taken ~halfway through the drive and you’ll know it when you get there) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/fd9a3be1-30b6-468f-baf7-9583646d3340/waterfall.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Using the Laguna Amarga entrance is the most popular and safest route to the park. It’s also the same entrance that’s closest to the puma trekking excursion. As a reminder, you will avoid long lines by purchasing your park passes in advance and by arriving at the crack of dawn. You might even be able to drive straight through if you arrive before the park rangers. Roughly ~20 minutes after passing the entrance, you will find the Cascada del Rio Paine, a fantastic photo opportunity with the towers perched the background. Both small platforms offer similar photo opportunities to the picture above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/19a4546f-32de-4cc2-b75b-157d469d473d/waterfall2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - You’ll likely be making many photo-stops as you meander throughout the park, most of which I’m not going to include because I’d never finish writing this blog. ~20 minutes after the Rio Paine, you will reach a turnoff for another waterfall called Cascada del Salto Grande. However, this is also the trailhead for the hike to Mirador Cuernos. Furthermore, it’s a very busy area because it’s where most hikers take the ferry to the French Valley. Needless to say, arrive very early to avoid large crowds. The Cuernos hike is definitely a must-do! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2cfd5ad6-431a-4855-b602-90d78c4c00b0/hike1.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - As you continue following the path directly after Cascada del Salto, you will find the trailhead for the hike to Mirador Cuernos. This hike is ~45 minutes each way and is a painless walk through a striking landscapes. By arriving super early, you might even have the entire trail for yourself! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/20d09d87-12ce-4414-8a63-c6484a35c401/hike2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - As the trail twists by small mountains and lakes, you will encounter various photo opportunities. However, you’ll need to exit the trail and walk about 10- 15 yards into the vegetation to capture a few of these photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/39ad6a6f-647c-445c-99f4-b02114cf277c/hike4.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - And finally, don’t ever forget to look in back of you as some of the best photos are often behind you! This photo was captured while returning down that same incline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/28ddb7ce-0e46-4594-a61d-635ff2b2b803/red+hotel2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - From the Cuernos Hike, it’s a short ~5 minute drive to Hosteria Pehoe where you can turn off the main road and park in the small lot. This is a small, cottage-style hotel located on a tiny island that offers a fantastic view of the dramatic Patagonian peaks. There are several unique photo opportunities from the bridge with this photo taken just before reaching the main office. You can also tour around the island to find alternative photo opportunities. As you continue the drive, you will quickly encounter one of the most expensive hotels in the park, Explora. Although not what it used to be, it’s still worth a quick stop to explore the property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9133ade4-4815-4f72-a841-07e6dad9b26a/Lake.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - One of the final stops of the day (perhaps the final), is Mirador Lago Grey, ~30 minute drive from Hosteria Pehoe. This area of the park can become quite busy during the day, but most tourists do not make it far onto the beach because they are lazy! My advice is to walk to the water, but stay towards the left to capture the most dramatic landscape photo (see above). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e576d7a-0105-44ec-96d1-7fd05d1ade07/ferrier.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - If you’re doing well on time and want to challenge yourself to another scenic trail, the Ferrier hike is a few minutes walk from the same parking lot. I believe there is a small entrance fee and it’s then a 2- 3 hour roundtrip hike depending on your physical conditioning. Make no mistake, the distance is only ~3.5 miles roundtrip, but this is an extremely demanding hike because it’s a continuously, steep incline that takes you 2,000 ft into the sky. The good news is that you should have the trail mostly to yourself since many hikers turn back before even reaching the summit. The glacier view from the summit is incredible if you’re not accustomed to these types of landscapes and it spans much wider than my photo suggests. However, be warned that the weather at the top will likely be extremely cold and windy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/23ed252c-392f-4527-b8e7-894991095113/singular.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Make it stand out After the full day of activities, consider treating yourself to dinner and drinks at the coolest spot in Puerto Bories, The Singular Hotel (mentioned above). If time doesn’t permit the same day, you should definitely still visit the hotel before the end of your trip. It’s a luxury five-star hotel housed in former cold storage plant, declared a National Monument in 1996— a five minute drive from Puerto Natales. The hotel is almost a tourist attraction in itself with many amenities, hallways and rooms to explore! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0a65affb-962d-4dcb-bb70-4c59e389f092/french.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The second most popular hike in the park without doubt, is The French Valley. Unfortunately, this was the only day that weather had prevented me from finishing the hike. In fact, the clouds covered most of the landscapes for the entire excursion, hence taking photos was nearly impossible. That said, I posted the photo above to illustrate what the final destination is supposed to appear like on a less rainy day. To get to the French Valley trailhead, you need to book a catamaran across Lago Pehoé from the Pudeto dock (same parking lot as Cuernos) to the Paine Grande refuge, which is the starting point for the hike. I strongly advise purchasing the ferry tickets in advance which are available on many sites like Viator, GetYourGuide and more. The hike is ~12 miles and ~8 hours roundtrip. The trail is easy to navigate so a guide isn’t necessary, but I’d recommend contacting Javier again if you want a local companion. Similar to the Base of Torres, it will likely be extremely cold at the top so dress accordingly. As a heads up, it doesn’t get super scenic until ~2 hours into the hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9e2045f0-3c29-4cbc-922b-5d3e19c5d2b7/caves.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Cueva del Milodon Natural Monument is a ~30 min drive from Puerto Natales and on the way to Torres del Paine. From the parking lot, it’s a short walk to the massive cave where prehistoric remains were found. The photo above was taken inside the cave from the top of the stairs. There are a few other smaller caves in the park, but not worth the long walk in my opinion. I believe the caves are open M-Sun 8:30am- 5pm for ~$10/person. Late afternoon is the busiest time of day since most of the tour buses make a stop on the return trip from Torres del Paine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/74085bfe-cf36-4c1f-8bc3-4d5fc107a327/pier.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Take a late afternoon stroll to explore Puerto Natales and you’ll likely be surprised by the quantity of boutique stores and cafes, I was! The most iconic picture in Puerto Natales features its historic pier, often with the dramatic peaks of Torres del Paine as a backdrop, especially during a sunset, capturing reflections on the water and the vast Patagonian landscape. To find these photos, I suggest getting as close to the water as possible and crouching low when snapping the picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c04968ca-a4b4-421b-9a43-d3f266d6dbad/Field+of+towers.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) is one of the most accessible and picturesque destinations in the National Park. It is famous for offering a clear, panoramic view of the three granite towers without the intense hiking required by the park's more famous circuits. It’s a bit out of the way (~30 minute drive) from the other stops which is the reason for not mentioning it earlier. The drive to the lake is scenic and you’ll likely encounter groups of guanacos and possibly pumas stalking them nearby. To get the photo above, you’ll need to drive past the Estancia at the end of the route and navigate over the rocky trail for ~200 yards to the second parking area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d35541c1-418e-4f4e-a767-959a415df621/BL.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Llao Llao Hike: I highly recommend starting the Llao Llao hike in the early morning to capture the sunrise and avoid heavier foot traffic. You’ll need to park on the side of the road because there isn’t a designated parking lot. I would consider it an intermediate hike that starts off very easy for the first ~15 minutes, but transitions into a much steeper incline for the remaining 45 minutes. The trail is generally easy to navigate and can be accomplished even quicker for those in really good shape. You’ll pass some nice lookout points along the trail, however I’d suggest keeping moving to have more privacy time at the top. This photo was taken from one of the two main boulders at the end of the hike. Note, you might see people hanging their feet over the boulder for the “Instagram” photo, but I felt this was a bit dangerous if you’re not careful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b8853f31-6fb8-4cbd-bba4-630f3d661259/AR.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Los Arrayanes hike is a few minutes’ drive from the Llao Llao hike and is worth a quick walk while you’re in the area. The loop is ~1.8 miles and the difficulty level is very low. The hike includes wooden boardwalks through a smaller Myrtle grove and ends at a beach on Lake Moreno with views of the Llao Llao Hotel. Honestly, you only need to walk for ~20 minutes to see the Arrayanes trees and their unique features before heading back to the car. I have a better hotel photo opportunity coming up next. The trees are between 300- 650 years old and reach heights of ~50 ft. This photo was after ~10 minutes into the hike where you’ll run into more of the larger trees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/46b37b49-671b-4127-8767-dd232582a4ca/llao.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After the two hikes, you could plan on heading to the Llao Llao Hotel for a short rest and to possibly grab a bite to eat— it’s just a ~5 minute drive and the guest parking is free. The Llao Llao Hotel is an iconic five-star resort renowned for its stunning mountain architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding lakes and snow-capped peaks. The photo above was taken from the top of the steps at the Parroquia San Eduardo Chapel, a ~3 minute drive from the hotel. I also recommend wandering the inside of the hotel for additional photo opportunities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/bef9d1c6-a250-4f7f-86b6-c532ca22e2a4/llao2.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Another distinct photo of Llao Llao Hotel can be taken from the large grassy lawn in the back of the hotel. You’ll need to pass through the dining area to reach the lawn and then walk down the hill towards the lake to capture this photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/582cbb55-8565-438e-94f3-9faa1d5a33a5/Swiss.png Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - From the Llao Llao Hotel, I suggest taking a ~15 minute drive to the small, nearby Swiss Village. The village hosts a popular artisan market, especially on Wednesdays and Sundays. On these market days, traffic and parking in the area can become chaotic, so the drive may take longer than usual. As a side note, I’m a big fan of hot chocolate, especially when visiting Latin American countries, and there are a few great spots to try in the town. Overall, the Swiss Village is a unique experience, but it’s not the end of the world if there is one activity that needs to be skipped. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ec4b4ba5-7799-4841-83a3-3592533e8a24/Punto+P.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After visiting the Swiss Village, it might be getting closer to sunset and there is no better place to be than Punto Panoramico! Even though more crowded, it’s better to visit the mirador during the evening than early morning hours for lighting purposes. It’s a fairly quick drive up the mountain from the Swiss Village up, ~10 minutes. If I’m remembering correctly, this photo with the yellow plants was taken from just to the left of the wooden platform when facing the hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/02e54c98-b17f-4bfe-b847-6b183fb698a6/brewery.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - For an epic end to the day, make your way to Cerveceria Patagonia, less than 1 mile from Punto Panoramico. Here you’ll find the most famous brewery in Bariloche and another unbelievable mirador. It can be difficult to find a seat with a view, so I’d order food from the bar and find seating outside in the garden area. This photo was taken from the brewery entrance facing the mirador. If you can’t make it to Cerveceria Patagonia, another option with a lake view and closer to city center is Manush Centro— I ate here a few times because the food was decent and it had a good social scene. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7f5121d8-3d60-4f40-b36e-c67b027f7be6/cerro.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Cerro Campanario is the famous Teleferico (chairlift) located right nearby the Circuit and runs from 9am- 5/6pm, but hours can vary by season. It’s one of the most popular activities for all ages in Bariloche, so I would suggest arriving at 8:45am to beat the crowds and to secure a close parking spot. The cost is ~$20 and takes ~10 minutes to reach the summit. I’ve heard that you can also hike up the mountain which takes ~45 minutes if you’re looking for exercise, then take the lift back down. The best photo opportunity is from below the restaurant area where you’ll see a few seating benches. Cerro Campanario is the famous Teleferico (chairlift) located right nearby the Circuit and runs from 9am- 5/6pm, but hours can vary by season. It’s one of the most popular activities for all ages in Bariloche, so I would suggest arriving at 8:45am to beat the crowds and to secure a close parking spot. The cost is ~$20 and takes ~10 minutes to reach the summit. I’ve heard that you can also hike up the mountain which takes ~45 minutes if you’re looking for exercise, then take the lift back down. The best photo opportunity is from below the restaurant area where you’ll see a few seating benches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1568936a-f389-41ce-8a93-1b4460510390/coffee.png Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - As hinted above, one of my favorite cheat snacks (whatever you call it!) is a sweet hot chocolate. Bariloche is the hot chocolate capital of Argentina, so you’ll find plenty of chocolateria’s to give a try. One of my favorites, Chocolaterie, is located nearby the Circuit and an easy stop on the way back to city center. They had many unique flavors with plenty of seating whereas other chocolateria’s were overcrowded with tourists. Furthermore, they had a store that specialized in all types of gourmet chocolates. Another “must-try” chocolateria is the famous Mamuschka, but it’s almost always packed— their flagship store is located off Calle Mitre in the City Center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e0bffec9-60ca-461e-9ff6-eb21307b7009/Bar.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After hitting the spots above and if time permits, spend a few hours wandering Bariloche’s city center. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed and surprised by Bariloche’s downtown scene, but you’ll find plenty of restaurants, tour agencies, shopping and at least you can check it off the list. However, it didn’t have any distinct character or the elegance that I was hoping for. It’s still worth strolling the streets for an hour or two, starting with the Centro Civico (aka the town square) and then continuing under the two arches to Calle Mitre, Bariloche’s main drag. This photo was taken from the northwest corner in Centro Civico— you can see the two arches to the left that lead directly into Calle Mitre. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4b3fdcdd-6bee-4cbb-aa0b-20bb56b37227/catedral.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - Catedral’s Mountain Ridge is the most iconic hike in Bariloche, but it would probably take a full day to complete for most people. That said, this would likely need to be an additional day to the activities listed above, or mix and match as you see fit. I originally had this hike planned, but ended up canceling because I had just completed multiple demanding hikes and wanted a break. There are many tour companies in town that offer the hike, but I suggest using ToursbyLocals for a more private experience. Transparently, this photo was pulled from the ToursbyLocals site, because it’s the photo that convinced me to book in the first place. You can also drive ~30 minutes to the ski resort where the hike begins and do the hike solo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/390fb77e-c249-4971-9a75-5745cd1d0880/boat.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Arraynanes Forest is home to rare cinnamon-colored trees and the famous forest that supposedly inspired Disney’s Bambi according to local legend. There are a few options for tackling this excursion, including a boat ride from Puerto Panuelo off the Circuito Chico Loop. However, you’ll most likely want to explore the nearby town of Villa La Angostura which is also in the same direction as the Route of the Seven Lakes, and you cannot accomplish these activities without a car. That said, I strongly advise taking the ~1 hour scenic drive to the park. Additionally, there are a few ways to visit the forest including mountain biking. However, I recommend hiring a small private boat ride (fits 6-10 people) to the beginning of the trailhead— don’t take the larger boat because you’ll be stuck with a bunch of tourists in the way of your photos (larger boat in picture)— you can purchase boat tickets on the spot at the dock. The most scenic part of the trail is also located in the most remote part of the forest, so unless you want to spend all day hiking roundtrip, take the boat ride to the section with the iconic trees and then make the ~3 hour return hike to your car. For reference, I saw many mountain bikers, but I chose to walk and enjoy more of the scenery. The photo above was taken just before reaching the boat dock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cf6b6fc2-1b1e-45f1-94bb-c01a283f09af/entrance.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The photo here shows the entrance to the hike from standing on the boat dock. I allowed the rest of the small group to advance so there would be nobody else in my photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/78fbbc80-d1f6-4a5f-905a-bfb6025e4f42/trees.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The beginning of the Arraynanes Forest trail is where you’ll find the “Disney inspired trees.” However, the Arraynanes trees don’t last very long into the hike so I recommend taking advantage of the photo opportunities before get too far. After ~20 minutes, it turns into your standard forest, but you’ll still be surrounded by beautiful scenery including water on both sides. Even though it’s a long hike, I would still classify the trail as easy since there aren’t any super, steep and lengthy inclines. You will encounter many small hills, but nothing too stressful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/52d3b8d8-b756-4621-b019-e02b9687eebc/hotel.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - After the day’s adventure, I would recommend finding time to explore Villa La Angostura, an upscale resort town, nestled on the northwest shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi and known for its picturesque alpine architecture and natural beauty. Like me, you might end up wondering how this town receives very little international attention after experiencing everything that it has to offer! For hotel accommodations, I stayed at a small, upscale, lakeside hotel for one night called the Auria Angostura. It provides an elegant restaurant with a fantastic lakeside view, and the rooms are very spacious. I took the photo above from the top of the hill in between the hotel and the hotel next door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/833f04db-5022-456d-9635-9d401ecae3b0/Lake.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - The Seven Lakes is a “must-do” road trip and much prettier in the early morning when there are few cars on the road and while the sun is rising. It was much more crowded watching the oncoming traffic on the path to San Martin while returning to Bariloche. My overall impression of the route was that it didn’t live up to the hype, but that’s also likely because I’m a bit spoiled with all of my travels. The lakes and mountains were very nice but didn’t seem to compare to Bariloche. That said, I still think most people will really enjoy the drive, but I created this blog to provide my honest feedback so there you have it. Lake Espejo, the second of the seven lakes, arrives quickly and is considered the most scenic lake for its’ crystal-clear waters that reflect the surrounding Andes. There are several viewpoints, however I suggest turning off when you see a narrow road running to the beach (left side). As a heads up, you might wonder how it’s the correct road, but that means you’re on the correct road! This photo was taken from the beach just before approaching the water. Beware of the mama birds and their babies because the mamas can be very protective if you get too close! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/80966626-949a-4a25-85a7-08b0f7998f51/Lake.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - This next photo above is also Lake Espejo, but taken from the official mirador along the main road. There is a small parking lot off to the right and the lookout point is across the street. Another highlight along the road trip was the long stretch of road before reaching Lake Escondido, a super cool, serene run through the forests of Nahuel Huapi National Park. These particular photos mysteriously got deleted so my apologies. As a heads up, most of the lakes only require a quick stop which will keep you on a good pace so you can spend more time in San Martin de los Andes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a868074b-608e-46d0-a534-f61179e2aab0/San+Martin.jpg Blog Overview - Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, Chile & Bariloche, Argentina - San Martín de los Andes is the northernmost town and surrounded by mountains, forest and another lake called Lake Lácar. San Martín is a hub for outdoor adventure, with Lanín National Park offering warmer weather hiking, as well as kayaking and boating options on the lake, and the ski fields of nearby Cerro Chapelco drawing snow sports enthusiasts in the wintertime. If your time is limited, just know that Villa La Angostura is nicer and has more to offer than San Martin. The photo above was taken from Mirador el Arbol off the trail that runs along the side of the road, Federico Gesiuff. The walk to the mirador takes ~15 minutes from the trailhead and a moderate incline, but nothing too challenging for most people. Many visitors actually walk much farther to Mirador Bandurrias, but I had already seen my share of miradors, so I chose to skip it. https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/Blog Post Title One-hdw8b monthly 0.5 2026-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9fbfdfb2-adfe-4827-a2ee-47eeb4cf9ada/Pic3.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Make it stand out I traveled all over Yukon and nearby areas of Alaska for 3 weeks in August, 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/546a91f8-bf55-4645-9225-c2488404084c/Pic25.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone Territorial Park is nicknamed the “Patagonia of the North” and considered the crown jewel of Yukon. Most people are unaware of Tombstone because of its’ remote location and lack of major amenities. For me, I would rank the park in my top 10 adventure destinations. The park is roughly 6 hours from Whitehorse with Carmacks as the main town to break for food and gas. It’s a lonely, but highly scenic journey that often turns to a rocky and gravely road for many miles at a time. Most vehicles will be fine if you drive safely. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/16bce583-94df-4d5e-9f1e-da10a802c6c9/Pic23.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Expect to experience some of the most dramatic scenery on the path to Dawson City that will illustrate the massive size of the Yukon. This photo was taken along the Klondike Highway from the Five Finger Rapids viewpoint. There is another really cool pull-off spot as you approach closer to Dawson City called Tintina Trench Viewpoint. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/eca0597d-e2d2-4919-9d77-1dee49c29286/Pic11.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Most visitors use Dawson City as their homebase for Tombstone Territorial Park. Dawson City is a tiny gold rush town which might remind you of the movie, Back to the Future III. The most popular hotel is called The Downtown and you can’t find a more centralized location to rest. Side note, The Drunken Goat Taverna was my favorite restaurant spot which serves fantastic Greek and mediterranean food— it was always packed. For dessert, Klondyke Cream serves generous portions of ice cream and is considered a local hot spot. I loved it and made it part of my cheat day! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/da387280-6f66-4ea5-b6c8-ecbdadd6473a/Pic1.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Upon landing in the early morning, you’ll want to be ready to start snapping photos asap because the lighting should be perfect on Tombstone Mountain. The weather can change rapidly so take advantage of the photo opportunities while they last. You’ll have a second chance to capture the same photos when returning to the helicopter pad, but the lighting will not be the same. For example, the helicopter photo at the top was taken at 7am and the photo here was taken in the early evening. The more distant lake in this photo is Talus Lake and is considered the prize destination for most visitors to the park. This particular photo was taken from a smaller lake which is roughly a 10-minute walk from Talus Lake (no name to this lake). You’ll have to walk up an uneven, grassy incline to get this photo but it’s not difficult. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/198cb118-4deb-4cf3-bb7e-b45bf0921007/Pic13.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - If you choose to do the helicopter-hike, the guides will typically take your group around 5 miles past Talus Lake before stopping for lunch and then turning back. Overall, the hike is relatively flat terrain with a few small inclines and declines. It should be an enjoyable hike for most experienced hikers, but make sure that you still wear comfortable hiking boots. This picture is about 20- 30 minutes from Talus Lake and is impossible to miss. This photo was taken in the early morning, but the water will likely become a more emerald green by the late afternoon for your second photo opportunity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8c9da990-efac-42ca-a1e8-22b5458363c1/Pic9.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The picture here is right before reaching our lunch spot which is shown in the following photo below. Make note of the yellow flowers because this is the perfect location for this photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/84ff6d6d-91b3-4fb9-b176-7a5ff9dfca10/Pic17.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Once you reach the Divide Lake, you’ll see a few picnic tables nearby, but the ultimate lunch spot is a hop, skip away by meandering through the vegetation and climbing a few rocks to reach the final two larger boulders. This part is a little difficult to explain, but you’ll see what I’m referring to when in the moment. If you decide to eat on the boulders, make sure to bring your bug spray because they can be relentless closer to the water. A day or two prior to the hike, your guide should contact you to coordinate your lunch preferences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9330598f-4887-4c72-a541-4b54359aa2d4/Pic27.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - So what other cool activities are there to do while visiting Dawson City? Aside from my restaurant and ice cream recommendations above, Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall is by far the most popular evening activity in town for both tourists and locals. It’s Canada's oldest casino and reminiscent of the area's Klondike Gold Rush history. If I recall correctly, you pay a $25 entry fee, and the ticket allows entry and reentery during your entire stay in Dawson City. The picture to the right was taken from the center of the upper balcony just after the show ended. You can find a few other late-night, lively bars nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f89517d3-dbe0-4681-91cb-9b239dba8a87/Pic21.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The Midnight Dome is just outside of town and offers a spectacular view of Dawson City and the surrounding mountains. You can drive there by taking Dome Road from the Klondike Highway or by taking Mary McLeod Road in town which connects to Dome Road after a few minutes’ drive. In my opinion, it’s much easier to take Mary McLeod if you’re coming from town— it’s also a more interesting ride because it winds through a few spooky cemeteries. The total drive time is roughly 15 minutes each way. The weather could be slightly chilly at the summit so bring a jacket even if it’s warmer in Dawson. On a clear evening, many locals and tourists arrive around 1am to catch the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, I never attempted to see this spectacle because of early morning activities. If you don’t have transportation, you can still experience the Midnight Dome by hiring local tour companies like The Klondike Experience which is a minute walk from The Downtown Hotel. Additionally, if 1am past your bedtime, catching the sunset is still a pretty epic experience as you can see from my photo! Once at the top, you can walk a few yards down the cliff (it’s safe) to get a more close-up shot of Dawson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ce2fd477-ca0e-4f4c-b4a1-e30854190d90/Dempster.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - If you cannot do the multiple day hike or the helicopter transfer to Tombstone Mountain, then the Dempster Highway (Route 5) cannot be missed. Honestly, I would still most definitely do this drive no matter what. This drive offers fantastic viewpoints that are not visible elsewhere. The Dempster Highway is located approximately 25 miles east of Dawson City (in other words, prior to reaching Dawson City). After the first ~15 minutes, the road becomes mostly gravel— the small pebbles can easily crack your windows from the passing trucks. As mentioned earlier, you only need to drive for roughly 1.5- 2 hours for the most iconic views, however the road extends for 13 hours all the way to the arctic. This particular photo was taken from the Tombstone Range Viewpoint (most iconic), ~45 miles into the drive. If the weather is nice, get this photo now because bad weather can move into the area within minutes. Shortly before the viewpoint, Tombstone Interpretive Center is a cool stop that showcases the park's natural and cultural history. They will also provide you with everything you need from trail maps to camping permits. That said, I would still make the Range Viewpoint the priority if it’s nice weather and return to the Center later in the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/acfc7f30-0310-4cc7-9b2d-1b111b877b42/TB1.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - If you’re anxious to get out of your car for some exercise, but don’t have time for an all-day hike, I would definitely suggest the Goldensides Trailhead which is directly across the street from the Range Viewpoint. There is a small parking lot and then it’s a quick 10-minute walk to the trailhead. It’s a relatively easy 2-hour roundtrip (maybe less) hike that offers nice, panoramic views of the park. Even though it’s a touristy hike, don’t forget your bear spray. I didn’t see any bears on this particular hike, but I did see a few off the Dempster Highway. This photo was taken at the end of the hike where you’ll find many large rock boulders. Heads up, some hikers turn around before the boulders appear as it seems like the path comes to an end at certain point— keep walking for another 5- 10 minutes and you’ll find yourself at the boulders. After the hike, you can choose to continue driving north via the Dempster Highway, winding through diverse landscapes, but you’ll eventually need to return the same way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/58a072ac-57ec-40d9-b795-2c5a965ce525/Top-of-the-World-Highway-From-Above.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The Top of the World Highway is the 4th most popular activity outside of Dawson City behind Tombstone Territorial Park, The Dempster Highway and The Midnight Dome. For the record, the image was pulled from the internet because bad weather had limited my visibility. Let me be clear, The Dempster Highway is by far the best option if you only have time for one road trip, but TOTW is still a must-do experience. You should confirm with your rental car company whether they allow the drive without paying an extra fee to cover potential damages. From Dawson City, it’s a quick 10-minute ferry ride across the river to the start of the highway. I believe the ferry opens ~7am daily and it’s free— however, you should double check the hours of operation just to be sure. Most tourists drive the full 3.5-hours to Chicken, AK before returning to Dawson City or continuing deeper into Alaska. Chicken claims to be the last surviving Gold Rush town and is a popular rendezvous point with a population of 50 people at most. The US/CA border is open 9am- 9pm Yukon time and you’ll gain an hour when crossing the border into AK. There are very few, if any, stops for gas and food along the way. For those of you familiar with Skyline Drive situated on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this drive is similar but at a higher elevation and more scenic. The road becomes gravel after the first 5- 10 miles, but it was still in good shape, and I felt very comfortable driving ~60mph most of the way. The last 30 miles became more challenging so be cautious. There are many viewpoints along the journey but check the weather because rain and fog can ruin the entire experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/83f6b089-ff6f-47ac-8e0e-c36e190b73f2/Pic28.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The drive from Whitehorse to Skagway, Alaska is one of diverse landscapes that will keep you reaching for your camera. The drive takes a little more than 2 hours with no stops. My recommendation would be to book a hotel in either Skagway or Haines, AK for Friday and Saturday evening and return to Whitehorse on Sunday— I explain more below. However, it’s still definitely worth the trip even if you’ve got one day. Unlike the drive to Dawson City, you will see more tourists, but there still aren’t many food and gas spots with the exception of Carcross. The first stop is Emerald Lake, roughly 45 minutes south of Whitehorse. For the best photo of Emerald Lake, stop at the roadside overlook on the South Klondike Highway just before Carcross, allowing a view of the turquoise-green lake. The mountains might be hidden by the clouds in the morning, but should be more visible if you’re return is later in the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/db0218e5-6011-4813-82ec-72c3b56f4892/Pic6.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The Carcross Desert is about a 7 minute drive from Emerald Lake and the next stop in route. The desert is known as the “world’s smallest desert,” though it’s not technically a true desert. I would encourage you to get some exercise and walk up the hill (seen in the background of this photo) because the view from the top is awesome and much different than the photo which was taken about 5 minutes into the walk. You’ll want to snap many pictures from different angles in this area because my best photos were not the photos that I expected them to be. The tiny town of Carcross is just after the desert and is another good place for a quick stroll. Within Carcross, there are a few touristy stores and ice cream shops. You can also find Bennett Beach, a small beach with a fantastic view in the residential area. It could be a little difficult to find without help from your phone. My last recommendation in Carcross would be to visit the Chilkoot Trail Authentic Sourdough Bakery if it’s open, for incredible Sourdough— make sure to ask the staff to cut an extra thick slice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f0311707-0b5a-4714-9283-3abf83cdad80/Pic20.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Within 5 minutes after leaving Carcross, the journey will start to become even more scenic as you make your way through Windy Arm, a road that winds through magnificent scenery and over White Pass, before arriving in Skagway. There are many pull-outs along the way, but my favorite was Bove Island Viewpoint. To capture the best photo after parking, skip the platform area and walk as if you were headed back to Carcross for 50 yards. Make sure to stay on the other side of the railway to stay safe and you’ll soon see a much more panoramic view compared to the platform area. Tutshi Lake, and test your nerve at the Yukon Suspension Bridge—a pedestrian cable suspension bridge high above the Tutshi River Canyon. Windy Arm is a narrow, north-south extension of Tagish Lake in southern Yukon, known for its strong winds that can funnel waves and create a "natural wind tunnel." Pullouts along the way not only give you some outstanding photo opps, but also reveal the heroic and heartbreaking stories of the gold rush. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/28b33f20-cf50-4b01-b632-dcd2bd1fb0e8/Suspension.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - As you continue the drive south on the Klondike Highway past Tutshi Lake, the next and most touristy stop will be the Yukon Suspension Bridge. I believe it was $25 to enter and to be honest, this was probably my least favorite stop because it was inundated with buses full of cruise ship tourists coming up from Skagway. I took this photo from the deck area near the gift shop on the return back from Skagway to Whitehorse in the late afternoon when all of the buses had left the area. Another good photo opportunity is by standing on the bridge just behind the Canadian flag looking back towards the gift shop— it’s difficult to miss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/879177c3-ca9c-445b-9b7b-239d098a7238/Unworldly.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Just before reaching the US/CA border in Fraser, you will come across a series of unworldly, emerald-green lakes and inlets. There are a few places to pull over, but the area just before where the trains stop is probably the best photo opportunity. I’d recommend carefully climbing down the rocks to get closer to the water. This area often gets blocked by dense clouds so get these photos while the opportunity presents itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cc7e64fd-16b9-45a4-ae66-28459f8faaae/Pic18.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - After passing the border, the majestic drive over White Pass to Skagway AK is around 40 minutes. Again, this part of the drive can frequently be covered in clouds so don’t hesitate to reach for your camera. There is a good chance that you’ll get trapped behind a tour bus or large truck which will obstruct your view down the mountain. I’d recommend pulling over for a few minutes to let them get far ahead so you can enjoy the scenery to its’ fullest. Skagway, AK is definitely your typical cruise-ship, tourist town with 4-5 large cruise ships almost always docked nearby during the daytime. However, they always leave in the evening and arrive in the mornings. For the best photo opportunity without having the ships obstructing your view, I would recommend waking up around 4-5am when the ships, cars and tourists are nowhere in sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/596b5b7d-50d3-4040-9378-7c21b23b5ff3/Pic4.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - There are many outdoorsy activities to do while in Skagway, but the most iconic is the White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway Tour. I’ve taken many scenic railway rides, and this ranks top 3 on my list. The ride is roughly 2 hours long and there are normally two departures per day, 8am and 12pm— I would recommend taking the 8am since there will be less people aboard and the lighting will be more optimal for photos. While boarding, I would let most people go first and then find one of the cars that is emptier. I’d also recommend sitting on the left side because the photo opportunities are far superior. After about 10 minutes into the ride, they will allow you to go outside on to the platforms for the rest of the trip, which is why it’s important to be in a less crowded car (you cannot go from car to car). I had the entire outside platform to myself and didn’t have to deal with pushy tourists. The quantity of photo opportunities can be overwhelming as you ascend into the mountains, but my favorite was just before entering the first tunnel, looking back at the rest of the train with mountains positioned in the background— it comes up fast so be ready to snap away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/fa3c1faa-65f4-455d-ae4e-aaa85cc586b0/Fishing.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - I love all forms of exploring the great outdoors and that includes private boat excursions into the Alaskan seas. Most of the traditional cruises in Skagway don’t allow for the proper time to spot whales, orcas, eagles, otters and other wildlife. That said, if you’ve got the financial resources, I highly recommend trying a private tour such as Carpe Diem Excursions. The couple that owns Carpe Diem moved to Hawaii after I left, but there are other private options that offer customized tours. You provide them your preferences such as seeing wildlife, waterfalls, rugged landscapes or even fishing, and they will plan it accordingly. Private tours like these can range from $1k- $1,500 for 2-3 hours, but they typically permit up to 10 people, making the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity much more affordable. The guides are experts at spotting wildlife and getting close up to the animals which does not occur on the larger cruises. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3ee7700f-6de6-4eb8-8b66-ccd4846f4691/Dyea.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - While in Skagway, I’d also recommend the following activities; Take a 30-minute scenic drive to Dyea, AK, a ghost town situated deep in the Alaskan forest. A few people live on individual small homesteads in the valley; however, it is largely abandoned and teeming with wildlife, especially grizzly bears. I loved this adventure but make sure to bring bear spray because you have to do some walking in order to reach a few destinations. The photo above is from the early part of the drive to Dyea— it’s not on a map, but you can’t miss it. Early on the way to Dyea, you will pass by the Skagway Lookout which offers a decent (not fantastic) panoramic view looking over the town of Skagway. Try to visit during a time when there are no cruise ships obstructing the views. Klondike Brewing Company is my suggestion for a large and lively atmosphere that offers good food and drinks. However, the Red Onion Saloon definitely has the reputation of being the most fun and rowdy place in town. Finding a seat isn’t easy! Walking the town and exploring the stores is a popular activity. If you like to indulge in fudge from time to time, you cannot find much better spot for authentic fudge than Alaska and Yukon. Regarding hotel options, there are many options in the area, but book it well in advance because they fill up quickly. I stayed at the Pack Train Inn which is located on Broadway in the heart of Skagway. The rooms were very nice and spacious but lacked AC— although I think most hotels are the same. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cb311268-922d-4e70-982a-2f68e004dd91/20250807_142921.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - On the first day, I would drive two hours west from Whitehorse to Haines Junction and do a scenic flight tour over Kluane Nati onal Park. Kluane National Park is a protected place that is home to the largest non-polar icefields in the world, and 17 of Canada’s 20 tallest mountains—including Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada. It’s virtually impossible to experience this massive park without a flight tour since there are almost no roads. The town of Haines Junction itself doesn’t have a main street so there isn’t much to do. However, visiting the Daku Cultural Centre to learn about the First Nations people is likely the only activity worth your time. Most people visit for the excursions waiting nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e90c9e2e-c8bd-4400-ae29-7429b246c0b5/Kluane.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Booking a prop plane flight tour is the coolest thing to do in the area. The company Icefield Discovery out of Silver City (45 minutes northwest of HJ) seemed to offer the best options for a potential glacier landing and it was the closest location to the park, not to mention they were very responsive. To be clear, Silver City is not an actual city— just a small grassy runway with a few prop planes. You can join a small group tour which is normally 6 people max or book a private trip which is more expensive. I did a private tour (called Helio) to ensure that I could easily move around the seats to get the best photos, but it’s also not cheap. Do not sit in the front because the propellers will obstruct your view. If you select the group tour, I’d do your best to sit on the left side. The video above will give you a great sense of the icefields, but it’s so much majestic in person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/44d20e21-f3ed-49c6-8503-2dd4cdddd426/desert.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The first option is from Silver City— continue driving north on the Alaska Highway to marvel at the diverse landscapes. I turned around after 45 minutes because it felt like the best part had passed, but I could be wrong. I also don’t remember many stops for food or gas. This picture of a small desert was taken from the Thechal Dhal Visitor Centre, about 10 minutes north off the Alaska Highway after leaving Icefield Discovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/38695c1c-b7bf-4934-8278-da1710440f77/KingsThrone.webp Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The second option is to drive an hour south from Silver City back through Haines Junction to Kathleen Lake. You can take a small stroll along Kathleen Lake which borders Kluane National Park for the scenic mountain views or hike up the popular King’s Throne Trail for an even more stunning look at the lake and landscape. I would not do this hike alone or without bear spray. It’s also a good spot for camping and fishing with a few locals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2590ca8c-9cea-40a4-b663-b9f61db1431f/Klukshu-ice-bear-crop-Large-1200x600.jpeg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The last option is Klukshu Village, a traditional First Nations fishing camp located about 45 minutes south of Haines Junction and 30 minutes south of Kathleen Lake. Known for its annual salmon run, it is an important seasonal gathering place for the First Nations people. Klukshu is tiny, a shantytown if you will, located in the middle of the forest. Coming south from Haines Junction, you will need to pay very close attention to the turn-off which is a narrow dirt road that appears to lead you into a wooded area that will remind you of a scene from the Blair Witch Hunt. It’s even creepier if you arrive in the early morning hours when nobody is awake. The town is famous for its’ “ice bears” aka grizzlies that don’t hibernate during the winter. This photo is famous— to be honest, I was a little nervous to leave my car and walk around. I could sense the wildlife around me and the fact that it seemed like a ghost town, made it even spookier. I wouldn’t go out of your way to see Klukshu, but it’s worth a quick stop if you’re on the way to Haines, Alaska. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c0e90e77-5f3e-44ae-8c33-a5d600b1f4be/Pic2.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Haines, Alaska is a small, walkable fishing town that’s larger than Skagway, but much smaller than Whitehorse. I recommend staying at the Aspen Suites Hotel because of its’ central location and the rooms are large and clean. It’s also the only hotel with a gym and there is a decent grocery store across the street. Haines was one of my favorite spots because of its’ quaint downtown, its’ abundance of outdoorsy activities, spectacular views and limited tourism. This photo was taken from the Welcome To Haines Sign off Lutak Rd which is very easy to find and even walkable from downtown. The best time to capture this photo is during the evening hours when the lighting is more favorable. It’s rare to have completely clear days in Haines so take the photo first thing if it’s a nice day. While in town, I would also recommend trying some of the following places; Deer Heart Restaurant: As of 2025, this was the trendiest dinner spot to be and offers impressive upscale dishes for being in the middle of nowhere. It’s a bit off-the-beaten-path, but still walkable from Main St. Rusty Compass Coffee House: This was my favorite coffee spot because of its’ festive atmosphere and its’ wide variety of hot drinks. Mountain Market Cafe: This is a local hot spot serving some of the most popular breakfast and coffee in the area. They even have a small supermarket offering a ton of healthy food options that’s reminiscent of Whole Foods. Lighthouse Restaurant: This iconic restaurant is the closest restaurant to the water in Haines. I never had the chance to eat here, but it was always crowded. Ft. Seward Drive Loop: A few blocks from Deer Heart restaurant, you’ll find Seward Drive which loops through a quiet neighborhood littered with Victorian style houses and bed & breakfasts. It’s a short but picturesque walk where you can burn off your dinner while snapping a few unique photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/182799ff-45ef-4b69-a3d1-bbac0e9a1a82/Pic29.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The photo here is towards the entrance of Chilkoot State Park and it’s frequented by fisherman if you look closely. The river is a bright emerald-green in the early morning hours. It’s common to see both fisherman and bears sharing the river at the same time. You can also drive to the end of the park where you’ll find Chilkoot Lake Park Recreational Site, another great photo opportunity. Here you’ll find kayaking rentals and many people fishing for the day. Make sure to bring bear spray if you go for a hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d3c87168-3af4-4382-af26-ddbde42cc372/Pic22.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - The photo of the shore was taken on the drive to Chilkoot State Park shortly before reaching the Lutak Bridge. You won’t find the traditional pull-out, so you’ll have to park on the side of the road and walk towards the water. The advantage to arriving here in the early morning is the mist could make your photo appear more dreamier. However, the mountain background will look more like a shadow. Or you can visit in the evening when there won’t be any mist, but the mountains will be more sharp and defined. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b4e66550-a983-4a3c-9c69-9f2f26b93685/Pic10.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - More fantastic photo opportunities can be found by visiting Chilkat State Park which is in the opposite direction of Chilkoot State Park. You can do this activity alone or with a tour guide like Karla. She took me here first thing in the morning when the sun was perfectly hitting the rocks. To get this photo, you’ll pull off Mud Bay Rd and walk 50 yards towards the wate, you can’t really miss it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/195eb1ae-c1ce-495d-a0ee-ae827abe2302/Chilkat.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - This is another picture from Chilkat State Park, but looking the opposite direction from the picture above. In summary, I probably missed half of the things to see and do in Haines, so I recommend doing a lot more research. Sites that I typically use to help in my planning include GetYourGuide and ToursByLocals, although I don’t think there were any tours being offered by the latter while in Haines. Once you’re ready to leave Haines, you can return to Whitehorse by driving back the same way through Haines Junction or catching a car ferry to Skagway and driving the same route as the Wow Factor Road Trip— it’s much shorter, but book the ferry well in advance to be safe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587667765-6HX9RN91F5KD6BD1283B/Pic15.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Dawson City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587696036-GVSN7PU4Z67QQ6317ZIG/Pic16.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Waiting for the helicopter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587689639-AJKC3QDIVJVUXJIAFT57/Pic30.jpg.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Carcross Desert https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587928137-FRZQ3Z0ECBU5XWR8SPTZ/Gallery2.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone from the air https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759588069374-DJV4KFMVZC52TRG5CSHT/Gallery1.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Train ride from Skagway https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587971911-GC4FIV1Q84WQHN1KSWDB/Gallery4.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone Territorial Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759588076787-5Q5AZJ1UD6JZLLG9CL3B/Gallery3.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Tombstone Territorial Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1759587931277-OILB0V6J1UKWP05YZ7JZ/Gallery5.jpg Blog Overview - Yukon, Canada - Beginning the Flight Tour in Silver City https://www.myscenicdetour.com/blog-1-1/blog-post-title-two-3bj5d monthly 0.5 2026-01-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/d785581c-16b0-474f-a1c7-daa1d675409f/Pic6_Trondheim.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out I traveled the entire country of Norway in June and July of 2025. I would keep in mind that my blog only reflects the activities available during the summer months and can vary greatly during winter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ce8a192a-a307-46c0-8902-061930d28916/Pic33_Oslo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - We start in the capital city of Oslo where you’ll only need 1.5- 2 days to explore with almost everything being walkable. On day one, I would start with the most popular attraction in the city, the Oslo Opera House, located at the harbor. Rather than going inside, most tourists simply walk up the ramp to the top of the structure for the panoramic views. The harbor can be extremely touristy during the daytime hours, so I’d suggest arriving around ~5am to capture a photo without all of the obstructions. This photo was taken during “sunrise” off the path that runs parallel to Langkaia Road, just before reaching the Oslofjord Adventures Pickup Point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c8f121d2-17fc-41a6-a929-3d0c88d0623a/Norway1.png Blog Overview - Norway - The MUNCH is a hop and a skip from the Oslo House where you can explore 13 floors of iconic works of art. Transparently, museums are not my thing, so I didn’t actually go into it, but most people do spend a few hours touring the exhibits. From the MUNCH, you can explore the neighborhoods of Barcode Project and Sørengautstikkeren. This photo was taken from the footbridge that connects the MUNCH and the neighborhood of Sorengautstikkeren. The bridge is difficult to miss once you’re in the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a41ceeff-45f0-4ad5-b46c-769a51842ceb/Pic23_Barcode+Oslo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo here was taken from the Nylandsveien Bridge behind the Barcode Project. It’s called the Barcode district because of its twelve narrow, high-rise buildings of varying heights which resembles a barcode when viewed from a distance. Taking the photo from the bridge is by far the best spot to capture an up-close photo of the entire landscape. This bridge typically has consistent foot traffic so I’d recommend visiting during off-hours. Additionally, the Barcode Project is a fun neighborhood to explore due to its’ rapidly growing number of trendy restaurants and retail stores. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/82a283dc-e55a-4ff6-8b2f-1ad5f43adcef/Norway2.png Blog Overview - Norway - A short walk from the Barcode Project and you will find one of my favorite neighborhoods in Oslo, Sørengautstikkeren. It’s a popular area among the locals because of its’ stellar view looking over the harbor and ultra-modern architecture. The area is definitely on the up and up and the local restaurants and bars are typically filled with more of a sophisticated crowd. Most of the residential buildings are newly built and teaming with unique photo opportunities. Find the restaurant Mirabel Sorenga and you should find this building in the photo pretty easily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/5fe273d8-f441-4fa6-bae9-e53f2e9be740/Norway3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - To finish the day, I would wander Oslo’s main shopping street, Karl Johans Gate. Here you’ll find an endless supply of restaurants, bars, shopping and more. The flagship stores for Norrona and Helly Hansen are located in the Karl Johans district and are a few of the all-time best places to find outdoor clothing gear. I had to buy a second suitcase to fit it all! Keep in mind that most of the stores will be closed on Sunday’s (maybe Monday too, I can’t remember exactly) so plan accordingly. The photo here was taken near the Grand Hotel Oslo, early morning ~5am to avoid all of the pedestrians and car traffic. The Royal Palace can be found at the end of the street (in this photo) and is surrounded by a nice park. If you walk in the other direction via Karl Johans Gate, you will eventually run into one of Oslo’s most lively intersections, Jernbanetorget station. Here you’ll find more shopping and many street performers. Lastly, go get lost in the many streets of Sentrum, there is a lot more than meets the eye and I’m sure that I missed a lot myself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/cfd37332-4f66-4d24-b27f-1c3e6eefa31b/Norway1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - I wanted to add one more unique photo opportunity while you’re exploring the Barcode Project. The train track running parallel to the street, Dronning Eufemias Gate, is covered in emerald, green grass and is best taken from near the 162 (road) looking back towards the Oslo House— it will make sense when you look at a map. Taking this photo during sunrise will give this photo much more vibrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/765172bb-1461-49f9-9329-33dc814e9d46/Norway3.png Blog Overview - Norway - Starting day two, I would recommend touring the Akershus Fortress, a castle originally constructed in the 1300’s. The fortress also contains two military museums. Entry to the grounds is free and you can wander the outside areas to see the architecture and panoramic views looking over the harbor. However, special events inside the fortress require a separate ticket. Transparently, I never entered the museums so I unfortunately can’t offer any assistance here. Upon finishing the fortress, the neighborhood surrounding the castle is also worth a quick stroll. In regard to the photo, this is one of a few that I didn’t take because it was too difficult to capture the full landscape without the use of a drone or from one of the boats nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7207cd26-c582-4196-91fa-708d8f1ab6de/Pic10_Aker+Brygge+Oslo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From the Akershus Fortress, you’ll want to make your way to my very favorite Oslo neighborhood, Aker Brygge Wharf. In my opinion and I know my stuff; this area is a MUST-DO for photographers, those interested in ultra-modern architecture and anyone seeking many of the trendiest restaurants in a vibrant shopping district. If you get lucky, you might encounter a cultural pop-up event or concert during the weekend. You could easily spend a few hours snapping photos of the Wharf. However, this particular photo was taken from the street, Bryggegangen, just before crossing the bridge— it’s easy to spot once in the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a61761a5-b317-4926-9bdf-c53427b72fd9/Norway1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - At the end of the Aker Brygge Wharf looking over the fjord, you’ll also find the Astrup Fearnley Museet, which is one of Scandinavia's most notable and popular museums for contemporary art. In summary, you could easily see most of the main Oslo attractions in 1.5 days if you’re consistently moving and want to make the most of your time in Norway. However, I know there are many other attractions and activities that weren’t mentioned which could easily fill two full days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/08f6655a-1185-4e18-bb08-4840d954f905/Pic5_The+Hike+to+Pulpit+Rock+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/00e70459-be41-4a2d-85e7-0f2295491663/Pic28_J%C3%B8rpeland.png Blog Overview - Norway - PULPIT ROCK: It’s 7-hour drive from Oslo to Jorpeland, the closest town to the start of the Pulpit Rock trailhead. Like almost every route in Norway, it’s a long scenic drive through many forests, tunnels and photo opportunities. You’ll eventually pass through Stavanger, the 3rd largest city and where you should stock up on food and snacks for the hike. I recommend booking the Preikestolen Hotel & BaseCamp because the hotel is steps from the trailhead. However, aside from the small hotel restaurant and snack offerings, there aren’t any food options nearby. Additionally, be prepared for very small rooms, a trade-off for the unbelievable location. The photo here was taken from the large hotel balcony in the early evening. In theory, you could potentially do the hike this same evening if weather permits, but my recommendation would be to rest up and start super early in the morning. As a reminder, it never truly gets completely dark during the summer months. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/55855154-9d19-4945-8a1f-3045f2d66fda/x9.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - If you’re staying at the Basecamp, you don’t need to plan ahead for parking. If you’re not staying at the Basecamp, I would recommend booking the parking online in advance or arriving before 6am because the lot will sell out by late morning. The trail is open 24-7 and well-marked so you don’t need a guide. I highly recommend starting the hike around 4-5am to avoid the crowds and for better photo lighting. My brother and I had the entire Pulpit rock for ourselves, but it becomes much more busy by the late morning hours. Most people will say that it takes 1.5- 2 hours to reach Pulpit Rock. However, you can definitely get there sooner if you’re consistently moving at a brisk pace. Keep in mind that it could be colder at the top of Pulpit Rock, but nothing too crazy. The first ~30 minutes of the hike is a steady incline via hundreds of steps. Once you reach the top of this first leg, it will flatten out and you’ll pass through a few small meadows before starting another climb. You’ll pass through various types of terrain including a few small creeks and lakes, littered with fun rock scrambles along the way. Once you reach Pulpit Rock, don’t hesitate to start taking pictures because the clouds could swoop in at any moment or more groups of people could appear, getting in the way of your camera. If you’re looking for that iconic picture, then there is one spot to get it. As you walk towards the point for the ledge, you’ll see the viewpoint for that iconic picture, it’s another small ledge. Someone needs to stand there, while you walk over to the main ledge. The Pulpit Rock platform is larger and safer than this photo may appear, but you still need to exercise extreme caution. You won’t find many guard rails or fences in most of Norway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4bf4b1c3-383e-4bb2-b34e-65c054ef27d4/Pulpit.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - There is a plethora of fun photo opportunities to be had. This particular picture was taken whilst standing on Pulpit Rock, looking back towards the fjord. However, the clouds weren’t working in our favor. I would encourage everyone to roam around this adult playground by climbing the rocks and getting off-the-beaten-path. After exhausting your camera, you can start hiking back to Basecamp which shouldn’t take more than an hour without any long breaks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/38e30f9e-0388-4e29-a797-83806394d739/Pic1_Trolltunga+Hike+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out TROLLTUNGA: The Trolltunga hike is one of Norway’s most popular hikes and one of my favorites of all time. Most hikers stay in the small town of Odda before embarking on the Trolltunga Hike. The drive from Jorpeland (Pulpit Rock) to Odda is ~4 hours and passes through some incredible landscapes. We stayed at a 3-bedroom Airbnb called the Trolltunga Fjord View which was a little difficult to reach because of the very narrow road that snakes up a steep incline. However, you’re rewarded with a pretty view of the Fjord from the Airbnb’s balcony. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0e9b7dd8-6251-40e0-9fd0-502151bdc08d/T5.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The start of the hike is the easiest because it’s relatively flat terrain that includes a few small bridges. We actually slow-jogged this part of the trail to stay well ahead of other potential hikers. In fact, we jogged most of the flat areas of the hike. After ~25 minutes, you will reach the first strenuous incline which seemed like hundreds of rocky steps. Take it slow and steady because this climb is no cake walk. Once you are beyond the steps, you’ll need to start paying closer attention the trail markers (long polls) a little more carefully. As you continue the climb, you’ll be making your way onto more of a rocky, flat surface that is often covered in a few inches of snow and ice, but nothing super concerning. There are many unique photo opportunities during the early stages of the hike, but the trail really show-off after ~2 hours of trekking. Once you reach the location in the photo above, your camera might be in hand for the remainder of the hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f226b63b-4085-4a44-9c47-b905c6ad6a71/T4.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo of my brother standing on the hill and the following few photos are all within 5-10 minutes of each other. As a reminder, I wouldn’t relax in these areas for too long because you’ll risk having to share Trolltunga’s tongue with many other hikers. Instead, take some quick photos and be on your way. You can always snap more on the return back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/09f725f6-0b6c-4179-98df-8333482e9c1f/T3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo here was taken by my brother from the hill in the prior photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e41824f-d7c1-489e-99cc-54b2164f87c6/Pic27_TrolltungaV2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Lake Ringedalsvatnet is ~5- 10 minutes from the previous photos and if you choose to spend a little more time in one of these areas before reaching Trolltunga’s tongue, the lake is definitely the most impressive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/b41e1c27-af31-4295-b631-b0305dfd2931/T2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The weather will get a chillier as you get closer to the final stretch of the hike. You will almost surely hike over a few snow patches, but again, nothing concerning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/dabf77a0-c8a7-4960-bed2-90c08c703e7c/T1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Once you reach this particular rock, the terrain becomes more unworldly, and you’ll have to navigate through a gauntlet of water streams and rock formations. However, you’re now only ~30 minutes from the glory shot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a7c40708-3c12-4495-ab64-ead9f673c5ca/T2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out And before you know it, you’ll realize that the ~13 kilometer hike to Trolltunga’s tongue was well worth the reward, showcasing one of Europe’s most epic viewpoints ever! As I’ve stated before, do not wait to get your pictures because there will surely be more hikers arriving soon and a line will form. There is a small ladder that drops you onto the tongue (not visible) and then you’ll slowly walk to my location in this photo. The tongue is wider than the photo suggests, but you still need to be incredibly careful— there are no fences or nets below. Side note, Norwegians have no fear of heights, so you’ll likely see many taking some very risky and nail-biting photos. From here, you’ll start the journey back to your vehicle using the same path as before. However, it should be much quicker given it’s mostly downhill! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6a96f714-5c23-48c7-a12a-9b58bbb64007/Pic21_Bergen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and is a ~3.5 hour drive from Odda (Trolltunga). The drive includes a ferry at Jondal which starts at 5:20am and takes ~20 minutes but do your homework to be sure. Bryggen is the historic harbor district and the most touristy by far. We stayed at the Magic Hotel & Apartments, a very short walk to the historic center and the city’s best shopping. The photo of the colorful red, orange, and white Hanseatic Houses was taken from the dock area behind our hotel and is the best location for this iconic picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/22ad074d-dc5c-498a-954a-5a872f0108b8/Bergen2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Mount Floyen is the second most popular attraction behind Bergen’s historic center. I recommend going during sunrise or sunset by hopping on the Funicular (railway) for a 10-minute ride to the top of the mountain or you can do the 1-hour hike. Once at the top, you’ll have a spectacular view of the city. You might also read about the Mount Ulriken viewpoint, but it’s higher up and more difficult to see the city. I wouldn’t waste your time if you’ve already done Floyen and have limited days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f547d6bb-c9f9-47ec-ad12-32966e068d5b/Bergen3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Lastly, you can spend several hours walking through the colorful neighborhoods where few tourists roam in Bergen. However, it rains 230- 240 days of the year, making it one of the rainiest cities in the world so plan accordingly. Some people may tell you to stay in Bergen for 2-3 days, but you can definitely do most of it in 1 day if you’re consistently on the move and the weather is nice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/df8b1ad8-d4ab-43c1-8571-a6aa41e0fc82/Flam.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Bergen, it’s time to make the ~8 hour scenic drive to Alesund with a few stops along the way. The first stop are the tiny towns of Flam and Undredal, and the Stegastein Viewpoint— roughly ~2.5 hours from Bergen. The Heimly Pensjonat Inn is the most popular hotel to stay at in Flam and a few minutes’ walk to the railway. The Flam Railway is often described as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world and lasts 2 hours. I would recommend taking the earliest train at 7:20am because there will be less tourists, better photo lighting and you’ll have the rest of the day to explore a few other spots in the area. I would book the tickets in advance to secure your spots, but you can also buy them onsite. If I’m remembering correctly, I believe that sitting on the left side will present better photo opportunities. The train photo was taken from the Myrdal stop where you’ll have ~10 minutes to disembark before staring the return trip to Flam. Overall, I’ll be honest and say that the ride and photo opportunities were very underwhelming, but it’s still a good experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ac076200-de93-421c-b16a-9abdba2315f6/Undredal.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - After completing the Flam Railway, I strongly recommend taking a 15 minute drive to the remote, postcard town of Undredal. You won’t find many tourists here, if any— mostly because Flam is a cruise ship destination and nobody has cars. You can walk around the tiny village on the fjord without taking too much effort. To get this picture, you’ll want to park in town and then find Hjollavegan Road. You’ll then walk up the hill for about 10- 15 minutes where you’ll find the “unofficial” view overlooking the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f939069c-769e-4389-8318-f7fa790cdb13/Stegastein.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - To cap off your day, I highly suggest taking a ~30 minute drive from Flam to the Stegastein Viewpoint during sunset— avoid the daytime hours when it’s heavily populated by tour buses. This is a very scenic drive through the quaint town of Aurland and running along the fjord. The road will become very narrow as you start the windy incline so use precautions. Once at the viewpoint, there are various photo angles to mess around with, but the one in my photo was the most popular among tourists. In summary, you can easily accomplish the Flam Railway, Undredal and Stegastein Viewpoint in 1 day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c8240d09-3d7c-4756-9b59-125d0e494ee7/Pic19_Nedre+Oscarshaug+Viewpoint+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Flam, you have several routes to choose for the next leg of the journey, so find what piques your interest and don’t assume that my route is your best option. I would consider this more of a road trip day, and I chose to head north on E16 to the 5 and then to the 55. This route takes you through the Lærdal Tunnel which is the largest road tunnel in the world at 24.5km. It also snakes around the Jostedalsbreen National Park on the Sognefjellet scenic mountain road, which reminded me a little bit of Patagonia and very under-the-radar. Roughly 2.5 hours into the drive and after climbing ~4k ft in altitude, you will reach the viewpoint called Nedre Oscarshaug, offering spectacular views of valleys, peaks, and a hairpin road. The rest area is named after a trip King Oscar II took over the mountain in 1860. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/42c279cc-1e25-4618-89dd-34830c6501e2/Norway.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From the lookout, you’ll continue north through another unworldly, snowy wonderland with families of sheep hugging the roadsides— keep in mind, it’s the middle of the summer. You will eventually take the 15 north towards Geiranger, an extremely popular town with an iconic fjord nearby. There are several popular outdoorsy activities in Geiranger ranging from the Ørnevegen Viewpoint, the Flydalsjuvet Rock and kayaking on the fjord. However, we chose to skip Geiranger because a few of the hikes looked very similar to Trolltunga and we wanted to spend more time in Loen to do the Via Ferrata. I also read that the town itself isn’t anything special and that it can often get overrun by cruise ships (my worst nightmare). Up next is the town of Loen and it would be out-of-the-way to come here if you’re not doing the Via Ferrata— and in that case, it would definitely be worth staying in Geiranger since you need to return this way anyway after visiting Loen. Hope that makes sense! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/7a5dc0eb-580b-4751-976f-4b76fba82dd9/Pic25_Loen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You’ll continue the journey west passing by diverse landscapes and eventually through the small, hip town of Stryn, before reaching the remote, scenic road leading to Loen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/e101ddbe-9308-4f1f-83d8-87a77f6df7aa/Pic22_Via+Ferrata.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Before anything, make sure to book the Hotel Alexandra while staying in Loen. It’s a large and lively hotel with all kinds of top-notch amenities including a Vegas style breakfast and dinner buffet (a bit classier and healthier). Most importantly, it’s steps from the start of the Via Ferrata. For those unfamiliar with the term, a via ferrata is a protected climbing route that combines elements of hiking and rock climbing, allowing people without technical climbing experience to ascend steep cliffs. Loen Active is the main tour company in the area, and its’ office is a short 5-minute walk from the hotel. We did the group tour starting at 11am and it was just the two of us and a family of four— booking a smaller group is better (if possible) because one struggling person can definitely slow down the rest. Depending on your level of fitness, the climb up can take ~ 3-4 hours and you’ll probably spend ~ 1 hour at the top taking photos, watching the people on the zipline and bridges, and of course the insane wingsuit jumpers. Oh, and the restaurant at the top on a clear day has one of the best views in the world (the photo above). For those who are not interested in the Via Ferrata but still want to enjoy the views from the summit, the Loen Skylift is one of the steepest cable cars in the world and lifts you a thousand meters almost straight up (open 9am- 10pm). Everyone, including those that do the Via Ferrata takes the Skylift down the mountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3c2958d3-931f-4f46-81cf-7b0171c4c990/Pic32_BMoney+Continuing+to+Scale.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - A few more things to know before booking the Via Ferrata include: If you are not an experienced climber, I do not recommend doing the Via Ferrata on a rainy day— trust me, you will regret it. Loen Active will describe this tour as beginner level. Trust me again, it is not! If you cannot do 5- 10 consecutive pull-ups or you have any fear of heights, do not attempt this climb and I’m being generous. Once you get past the halfway point, there is no turning back. I don’t want to scare anyone off, but this is not a hike for the faint-hearted. You will encounter several very scary and tactical points of the climb so don’t look down and just keep moving. Know this, Norwegians are crazy and have 0 fear of heights— they grew up with the Via Ferrata’s in their backyard. In other words, on a scale from 1-5 with 5 being the most difficult, our 5 would be like their 2! You will need to bring your own lunch, snacks and water. Also, be very careful of your phone and/or camera because you can easily drop it and there is no recovery. All that said, the sense of accomplishment once at the top is an incredible feeling, especially for those who have never done anything like this before. After meeting your guide at their office and reviewing the safety procedures, you will embark on a ~45 minute walk up a steep hill to the start of the actual Via Ferrata. For the next ~30 minutes, your guide will ask you to practice climbing the level A cables which are considered the easiest. For reference, I believe the expert levels are F or G and our climb had several C and D cables. Once the group is feeling comfortable, the journey begins! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4eada328-53e0-40b8-b2ab-2b47e84903f5/Pic7_BMoney+Climbing+Mount+Hoven+in+Loen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Fast forwarding through a few hours of torture (I kid, I kid), you will reach the last ~45 minutes of the climb. This is the area that becomes more tactical and could become a little scarier for those afraid of heights. It’s also the area in which you’ll see crazy Norwegians doing crazy Norwegian things. You might also be lucky enough to see a wingsuit fly by in epic fashion. Just before reaching the summit, your guide will give you the opportunity to attempt their suspension bridges, zipline and level F & G cables (if he thinks you can handle F&G). We did the main suspension bridge because that isn’t optional, but we did not participate in the more difficult bridge — essentially, you’re walking on a rope and that was a bit past my limits of stupid. If you complete this bridge or F & G cables, I will bow down to you because that takes major guts. For now, I’m going to leave a few more pictures and videos below that capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/97494cc8-0e6a-424d-84ff-932c0acf7fee/Pic17_BMoney+on+the+Via+Ferrata+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out This is considered the mandatory and “easier” suspension bridge, but it will still get your adrenaline pumping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/16443d71-4adb-4d35-a091-b46f01d64fe7/Loen+.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Here is another panoramic photo right before reaching the summit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f6a59571-b668-4430-a987-845282755ca1/loen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out And finally, take a drive through the surrounding towns and you’ll find dreamy landscapes that feel like you’re in a movie. This photo was taken off the Fv724 road near the small village of Laukifossen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9d7659e8-c633-4e5e-b2ea-5f83c8d015a7/Pic3_Alesund.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - My recommendation would be to leave the next morning at ~5am (from Loen) so you make it to Alesund to take the iconic photo during sunrise. There are a few routes to Alesund, but I think the E39 is the fastest at ~2 hours and includes a ferry. Upon arrival, you should immediately head to the Aksla Viewpoint (also known as Fjellstua Viewpoint). It offers an amazing view over Alesund and the surrounding islands and where you’ll get the iconic view of the city and its colorful buildings. If you follow my advice, you should have the entire lookout to yourself, maybe a few others. If you wait until the late morning or daytime hours, chances are that it will be overrun by cruise ship tourists— at which point, it might be worth waiting until the evening. You can either drive to the top through residential streets (which I recommend) or you can walk from the city center through a park and up 418 steps to the top. If I’m remembering correctly, I believe the viewpoint is open 24-7 and costs like $1 to enter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/9267310c-e63e-4552-9dd0-d03d978172f6/Pic30_AlesundV2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - We stayed at the Hotel Brosundet for 1 night which is a higher-end, modern hotel situated on the water in the heart of the city and liked it a lot. Transparently, there isn’t much to do in Alesund, but walk through the city streets. This photo was taken from Tafjord Kraft Varmebenker— look it up on a map and it’s easy to find. Alesund busy during the daytime when the cruise ships are nearby, however becomes very quiet at night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/4f2aa8ce-6d74-4c00-9724-1ed15432acf6/Pic11_Trollstigen.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Alesund, consider waking up very early and driving 2 hours east to the Trollstigen Pass (there are no ferries). Trollstigen is a famous, scenic mountain pass in Norway known as "The Troll's Ladder" that features 11 steep hairpin bends along a dramatic mountainside. It is a major tourist attraction and is known for its spectacular views, especially from the viewing platforms at the top, which overlook the road and the Stigfossen Waterfall. There is no fee to visit the platforms. Before making the drive to Trollstigen, you should also verify whether the road is open because it’s often closed due to falling rocks. That said, it’s still worth the visit even if it the road is closed and that’s because 1) the viewing platforms should still be open and 2) the drive to Trollstigen is a fun experience. This photo is from the platform furthest down the hill which is easy to find if you just keep walking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ca146c82-5459-49bc-a9fd-e2a1eee5120e/Troll.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Trollstigen Road itself, is located in the Reinheimen National Park which is visible in the picture above. This photo was taken from the 63, ~5 minutes before reaching the visitor center, which then leads to the hairpin turns. Valldal is the nearest southern village where many people stay for the night before entering the park and continuing the drive. If you have extra time available, driving to the Rauma Valley (route 136) is also supposed to be a another extremely scenic road that’s located nearby, but we never made it there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/133d5da7-7daa-415f-b429-f4c7db9ff1d8/Atlantic.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - If you’ve completed the Trollstigen Road and the surrounding areas by late morning, you might be ready to start the long journey to the northern part of the country with a few stops along the way. If you’ve done any research on Norway, you’ve probably heard of the Atlantic Road. The Atlantic Road is ~2.5 hours from Valldal and is a 5-mile scenic coastal highway, known for its dramatic views of the Norwegian Sea and its eight bridges, including the distinctive Storseisundet Bridge. It’s extremely famous and widely recognized as one of the world's most scenic drives. The weather in this area can be unpredictable so make sure to monitor the forecast. That being said, this was one of a few destinations that we had unfortunate luck and the clouds covered most of the landscape. I added this photo from Visit Norway to show what it’s supposed to be like. The best photo opportunity is from the Seefahrer Denkmal area, but it’s also the most touristy so get there early if possible. If I’m going to be honest, I was very underwhelmed for the amount of hype this road receives and I don’t think it would have been in my top 5 recommendations even if the sky was clear. However, I’m sure you could capture some amazing photos with a drone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f19b548f-8f4a-4695-b7ac-82a6421f200d/Trondheim.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Depending on your time, you could stay in nearby Kristiansand which is a 30-minute drive north. However, we chose to go a bit further (~3 hours) and stay in Norway’s 3rd largest city, Trondheim. I forget which hotel we stayed at since visiting Trondheim wasn’t preplanned, but it’s a very walkable city so you can’t go wrong with anything in its’ historic center. The photo here is from one of the docks on the eastern side of the river. However, the best photo opportunity which is featured at the top of this blog is from the Gamle Bybro Bridge. The Bakke Bru Bridge is another very popular photo spot. If you take the Gamle Bybro Bridge to the eastern side of the river, you’ll find our favorite old-city neighborhood which is littered with small coffee shops, cafes and boutique stores. You can easily walk the entire city in half a day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2f587b61-e60c-4008-8626-b727648bf8ef/Bodo.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The drive from Trondheim to Bodo, which is the gateway to the Lofoten Islands, is ~9 hours. You can either take the scenic route on 17 (longer than 9 hrs) or the more direct route on E6. We chose to do 17 to Bronnoysund because we heard good things and were ahead of schedule and then rejoined E6 further north. Even though there are many noteworthy places to see on the path to Bodo, you’ll definitely want to save as much time as possible for Lofoten and beyond. Bodø is a vibrant town with a rich history, interesting art & culture, and impressive natural surroundings. One of the main attractions is the Saltstraumen. This small strait has one of the strongest currents in the world and is home to the world’s largest maelstrom (whirlpool). You can visit the maelstrom on a boat tour, but it didn’t seem worth the time in my opinion. I recommend staying at the Scandic Havet Hotel for the night because it’s right on the water and has beautiful views of the whole city from Roast Restaurant on the 17th floor. Transparently, this was another underwhelming city that you could walk in a few hours. The photo here was actually from the Bodo ferry just before reaching the Lofoten Islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/bd93ccc2-76ae-45a0-8722-1f96114053ae/Pic2_The+Lofoten+Islands.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Arguably, the most iconic and unforgettable adventure destination in Norway, the Lofoten Islands will bring a huge smile to your face every day of your visit! This is an outdoor paradise, a magical playground that will make you feel like a child again when waking up for your birthday. The easiest way to reach the Lofoten Islands is by taking a ~3 hour ferry ride from Bodo to Moskenes which costs around $75 per car. I would definitely purchase your ticket well in advance because they often sell out. I would recommend planning at least one week to cover the Lofoten Islands, Senja and the drive to Tromso. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/645497ae-db03-4f38-ab14-bab4bb2169c3/Lofoten+house.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You can find many unique accommodations in the Reine and Hamnoy (5 min drive apart) when booking in advance and if you’re going to splurge on one area of the trip, this is a great spot to do it. We stayed at the High End Sea Cabins at Å in Lofoten for a few nights (photo) and a few nights at Reinefjorden Sjøhus. While the Sea Cabins were a super unique experience, it was a bit farther from the trailheads so I would try Reinefjorden if your budget permits (it’s expensive). The stay at Reinefjorden is in the heart of all the action and has absolutely incredible views. As I’m covering the next activities, it’s important to keep in mind that we had much more free time than most visitors. Your trip could be a lot different than ours. I recommend prioritizing your most desired spots and creating a plan of attack. As a reminder, the weather can be very unpredictable so give yourself an extra day if possible. Additionally, keep in mind that it never gets completely dark so you can attempt the hikes at night as well (we did a few). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/2e790abc-7b15-43ac-aa17-a976152c8e90/Pic4_Hamnoy.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - When you arrive to the islands, it will likely be late morning or early afternoon. You could spend weeks hiking all of the trailheads, but there are two hikes that cannot be missed— The first is the Reinebringen Hike which is by far the most popular, and second, the Ryten Hike which is ~30 minutes north of Reine. Many people go straight from the ferry to Reinebringen before even checking into their stay. However, weather, photo lighting and many tourists could dictate your schedule. For example, we chose to check in to our hotel and scope out the trailhead parking and best photo locations in Reine and Hamnoy first. We’d then go on the hike in the evening for better lighting and to avoid the crowds. The photo here was taken in the early evening from the Hamoy Viewpoint and is one of the most iconic pictures in the area. It’s difficult to see, but the Reinefjorden Sjohus hotel is located in the distance so imagine waking up to that every morning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f9c2e657-2293-45ec-be40-bdf7130afc9f/Pic13_Reine.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out This photo was taken in Reine from Reineveien road directly off the E10— it should say “Reine Photo” on Google Maps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1f15f0c0-5e71-4070-97ef-6ae2fd38a469/Pic18_For+the+parents+%284%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - As mentioned above, the Reinebringen Hike is the most famous trail in the area and it will most likely be crowded through the early evening. The trailhead is a little hidden, but it’s listed on Google Maps and located directly next to a small tunnel. Most people park on Reineveien Road and walk 15 minutes to the trailhead. The hike is only 2 miles roundtrip, but it’s not to be underestimated. It’s a hard, steep, challenging hike on long, stone staircases and muddy, rocky trails. You definitely need to have a good level of physical fitness to reach the top. Like many other Norway hikes, be extra careful if you have a fear of heights or get dizzy easily. This photo was taken from the summit, but the weather had limited our visibility. Therefore, I returned to do the hike the following day since it was perfectly clear and I was able to get a much better photo (find above). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/6b5f32d2-bc43-4206-b9bb-bd84d8565b5e/Lofoten2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Once you reach the final point at the top where we are sitting in the picture above, you’ll notice that the trail continues up for another 20- 30 yards. I would be a little more careful in this area, especially if it’s been raining. However, the picture just below the title of this section was taken after walking those extra yards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/5521176b-fbf0-40e7-9b6f-3e34ae5175ed/Pic20_Kvalvika+Beach.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - For your second day, I would recommend rising super early and starting the Ryten Hike at 6am. This hike is spectacular, but much less touristy because most hikers don’t have transportation or the means to get there. Even though it’s not as steep as Reinebringen, it’s significantly longer, mostly uphill and requires good strength and endurance. The drive from Reine is ~30 minutes and the hike is ~4 hours roundtrip (6 miles). However, you can make this hike into an all-day excursion by extending it further (more to come). The parking situation is a little odd and you’ll fine multiple methods online, but we drove to Yttersand which is the "direct hiking route” and used the first parking lot. To get here, cross the Fredvang bridges, follow the signs to Yttresand, and stay straight when the road turns off to Fredvang. The road curves to the left and then you will see a large, grassy parking lot on the left hand side of the road. This is simply part of someone’s yard that was turned into a small parking lot. It costs NOK 100 ($10) cash to park here. If you are wondering about the climate, you’d be comfortable in a hoodie, light rain jacket, hiking pants and boots https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/3ae12073-ea1a-4db3-83a2-42beaa6206d4/Kalv1.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You’ll be trekking through grassy pastures and eventually a manageable incline for the first ~45 minutes. The trail is a little awkward in places, but you should be fine by following the manmade, wooden beams shown in the photo here. This photo was taken ~20 minutes into the hike in the direction of the parking lot. It’s not my best of this blog, but I thought it was something unique at the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1cdf81ae-67b5-4ebb-94c2-376db7dba9fa/Green.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - As you continue to gain elevation, you’ll be greeted with a panoramic view of the green valley, ocean and mountain skyline, but it’s just getting started. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/0ce6d600-b8b4-494e-b529-7b5461efcdea/Pic29_Fredvang.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The landscape begins to appear like you’ve landed on another planet halfway through the hike. The trail becomes more difficult to navigate from here and you could easily take the wrong path like we did. However, just know that all options will lead you to the same point before starting the final climb. Funny enough, I thought that by missing the correct path and hugging more of the water, we were presented with much better photo opportunities — I know this because we returned the correct way which included steel ropes, and it wasn’t as cool. It’s very difficult to pinpoint a location for this photo because there are no legit viewpoints and I couldn’t find it on Google Maps, but this location isn’t easy to miss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/208f4621-cbf0-4366-b987-e760c97c418d/Kvalka.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - You will eventually reach the start of the final ascent, and you’ll know when you get there because the beach will become visible and the path will appear like more of a steep hill. From here, you should see 4-5 narrow trails running parallel to each other, all leading in the same direction. The paths to the far left have more scenic views and unique photo opportunities, but they can also be a lot scarier. We started to the far left and gradually moved more inland as it became riskier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/04f284be-28af-4c08-9704-c902261ab3e9/Pic8_Kvalvika+Hidden+Beach.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out Once on top of Ryten, you will find one of the most jaw-dropping views in Norway. We had the entire summit to ourselves around 8am, but it will get busier (not crowded) by late morning. There is a large rock that juts out which you can see to the right of me, with Kvalvika Beach in the background. If you get the angle right, you can take photos that make it look like you are standing or hanging from a rock with nothing underneath of you. Just note, that it is located near the edge of a cliff, there is still the chance that you could fall, if you are not careful (we didn’t take the risk). From here, you can start the journey back to your vehicle or continue going further. Many people camp at the beach and it looks absolutely amazing, but it adds a lot of extra distance, time and elevation gain. There are a few other directions to explore while at the summit, but we made the decision to turn back and get to the next destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/c5b15c54-2833-40c8-9307-ccac6c62b099/Hawkland.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The scenic drive from Reine to Senja is ~8 hours, but there are many stops along the way and I’ll touch on a few of my favorites in the next few photos. Heads up that all of the following stops can be accomplished in one day. Your first stop should be Haukland Beach and Uttakleiv Beach, ~1 hour north of Reine. Just north of Leknes, turn right onto Leiteveien from highway E10. Follow the narrow road out to Haukland Beach. Most people would say that Uttakleiv Beach is prettier, but we both thought Haukland was more photogenic. From Haukland Beach, take the road through the tunnel and you emerge out into Uttakleiv Beach. You can park in the lots and then walk out on the beaches, taking time to enjoy the view. However, I don’t recommend spending too much time here— it’s more of just a pitstop to give your legs a break and check the box. This photo was taken from the southern area of Haukland Beach and is a ~10 minute walk from the parking lot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/81fcf969-7de7-4f2c-a947-279d9408b2e4/Henn.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - After visiting the beaches, you’ll drive another hour to your next destination, Henningsvaer. The artsy, picturesque town of Henningsvaer is small (500 people), but its’ boutique stores and cafes are buzzing all week from tourism. I would recommend parking anywhere and taking 1-2 hours to stroll the streets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f4afd413-02a0-4eab-8c99-f105750d0724/soccer.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Additionally, Henningsvaer is famous for its’ soccer stadium which is most photogenic in the morning or at night. It is known for its stunning natural surroundings, framed by jagged mountains, the Arctic Ocean, and traditional fish-drying racks. It hosts amateur games for the local community and has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. You can visit the stadium 24-7 and there is no fee to enter. In order to find this photo location, you need to hike around the stadium and then climb a few rocky boulders. However, it’s virtually impossible to get the iconic photo (visible online) without the use of a drone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f130ac6f-972b-4965-a18e-7d15161d1f7d/Pic16_Svolvaer.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - From Henningsvaer, you’ll drive 40 minutes north to Svolvaer where you can stay for the night— I’d book one of the Thon hotels since they are always the most reliable across Norway. Svolvaer is one of the largest villages in the Lofoten Islands and most people visit to hike Fløya, the mountain that forms the backdrop of the town. From the top of Fløya, you can look over not only the town of Svolvaer, but over nearby mountain peaks and islands off in the distance. It’s supposed to be an incredible 4-hour roundtrip hike, but we decided to hold off in order to have more time in the Senja region— and because we had just completed two exhausting hikes. If you are interested in this hike, I believe the trailhead is located next to the Svolvaer cemetery. Similar to Henningsvaer, I would suggest spending a few hours walking around the town, especially the waterfront and Svinoya Island, aka Pig Island. Svinoya Island is a 10-minute walk from the waterfront and this photo was taken from its’ main street, Gunnar Bergs. Another very popular Svolvaer activity is to take the Trollfjord Cruise, either the Silent Electric or Rib Boat. However, we chose to skip this as well, mostly because we had other priorities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/299ce6ab-04e5-430a-bebe-65c09df378fb/Pic12_Hesten+Hike+in+Senja.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out There are two famous hikes in Senja (Hesten and Segla), and both share the same trailhead. However, it’s the Hesten Hike that is most popular because of its’ iconic view. The hike takes ~3 hours roundtrip to complete, but you can easily make this into an all-day excursion due to the number of trails and photo opportunities. The weather is very similar to the Lofoten Islands so bring multiple layers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a36b9d80-c2d4-43b6-b6d1-9fa7180e0331/Hesten.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The path to Hesten is not signposted nor marked, but it is easy to follow once you find the trail head and because you can see others in front of you. It’s mostly uphill but it’s much less grueling than many of the hikes covered earlier in the blog. Once you reach the main area, there will be a lot of photo opportunities from different vantage points, especially if you continue climbing further up the ridge. Transparently, my brother wasn’t in the mood to take more risks, so our options were somewhat limited. The photo here was taken ~70% through the hike, but it’s farther than it looks to reach that final spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/8e7efb5b-cd34-4267-93b8-97d8dc0575f5/hesten2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - To capture this photo, I had scrambled higher up on the ridge, but it starts to become dicey the further you go— and it’s a straight drop into the water with one misstep. The iconic photo that many travel here for can be taken by sitting on the boulder that my brother is leaning against and facing the direction of the tower— then have your hiking buddy climb the ridge for another ~50 yards to snap a horizontal photo. It’s an amazing picture, but one that’s served with a tiny adrenaline rush on the side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1f3ad890-5bb5-40d1-a617-505564430a03/hesten3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Upon more contemplation, I decided to climb a bit higher without my brother and was able to capture a different perspective by crawling on the ridge and leaning towards the end of the wall. Unfortunately, the “sunset” had turned the mountains into shadows, but it would be a fantastic opportunity at any other time of day. On a side note, you will most likely see other hikers trekking to the very top and walking along the ridgeline. I’m sure it’s an unbelievable experience if you’ve got the time and courage. Lastly, there is a supermarket in town called Nærbutikken Fjordgård and it’s open 24-7 without any staff on duty. It’s a pretty neat concept and worth visiting if you’re looking to grab a quick bite after the long day. They even offer a fully stocked kitchen with seating! As for hotel accommodation options in town, I didn’t research this, but I’m sure that you would need to reserve your stay well in advance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a6b49dea-5ba9-4fd2-a5ab-46308617349b/platform.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - As I mentioned above, we did not stay in Fjordgard after the hike. It was a perfectly clear evening (~9pm) and we decided to take advantage by driving the Senja Scenic Route (aka Route 862) from Botnhamn to Gryllefjord. The drive takes ~1.5 hours (63) miles and winds through diverse oceanic landscapes. We planned to make the drive to Gryllefjord and sleep there for the night. A few of the noteworthy stops on the route include 1) The Tungeneset Viewpoint, a coastal viewpoint where you can walk out on the wooden walkway to the beach for a stunning view of the jagged Okshornan mountain range 2) The Bergsbotn viewing platform which is a wooden and metal platform that offers nice views of Bergsfjord (picture). To be honest, it’s an extremely nice drive, but not the end of the world if you can’t make it. We ended up sleeping in our car because there were no hotel or Airbnb options in Gryllefjord and woke up early to catch the ferry on our way to Tromso. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/1b2ddb18-9161-4e20-9da1-9ec35abbe4a6/tromso.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - Make it stand out The drive from Senja to Tromso is ~3 hours and becomes very scenic as you approach within an hour of the city. Tromso is the largest city in nothern Norway and the third-largest city north of the Arctic Circle in the world. We stayed at the Clarion Hotel The Edge which was a luxury hotel, perfectly situated in the heart of the city. The harbor is a great place to spend the afternoon and have dinner before having a night out in Storgata to participate in their famous nightlife scene. Tromso is a small city so you only need ~2 days to explore the streets and surrounding areas. This photo was taken from one of the new modern apartment complexes in the harbor just before reaching the bridge (it’s easy to find). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/30f1f22c-283a-4e7f-9d41-a7b36e75803d/tromso.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - What to do in Tromso? Take the Tromso Cable Car during midnight sun for best views of the city. The cable car was closed during our visit but typically costs ~$30 roundtrip and operate 9am- 12am. The Arctic Cathedral is the real image of Tromso and is on every postcard. It didn’t seem worth paying to enter (~$10), but this photo is from its’ balcony— beware, it can be very touristy. Polaria is a combination of an experience center and an aquarium where you will learn all about Arctic nature and animals. Honestly, it’s very underwhelming for adults. There are many hikes in the Tromso region, but the Brosmetinden hike is supposed to be the most scenic and is a ~1 hour drive from the city. We never went because of other priorities but heard it’s relatively easy, well-marked and has a fantastic view of the ocean and neighboring islands. Lastly, you’ll find several funky museums like the Troll Museum and Ice Bar, but nothing mind blowing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/a5dad665-72e1-4ff0-ac5d-765df41a862b/Pic9_Reindeer+in+Kvalvoya+Island.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - There are a few super cool places to visit outside of the city and they all can be accomplished in one day. My recommendation would be to take a 30 minute drive to Kvaloya Island as your first stop. The drive is very remote and there is a good chance of encountering wild reindeer since they seem to like hanging out on the roadways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/ba02166a-4f11-4546-ae7d-5726dd1dbd6b/Pic31_Kvaloya+IslandV2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The next stop should be Ersfjordbotn, a beautiful fjord surrounded by jagged mountains that run straight into the the sea, located on Kvaloya Island. You’ll have to meander through the tiny neighborhood to find the photo location. Once you do, park your car and it’s a quick walk to the rocky beach where you’ll likely have it all to yourself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/f590d051-38d0-4f7e-8c98-b5680c372cad/Pic15_The+Road+to+Sommaroy+%281%29.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - A short drive from Kvaloya is the final destination for the day, the tiny fishing village of Sommaroy. Sommaroy was our favorite spot because it was surrounded by white sandy beaches and the azure, blue ocean. This photo was taken just before driving over the bridge to the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/64b4a126-e06f-4d90-982e-6ae055558b08/Somm3.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - There are a lot of great photo opportunities when driving around Sommaroy Island. However, I recommend stopping at the Arctic Hotel and walking the property where you can find these last 3 photo spots. Not only that, but the hotel also has super cool interior design and a tasty restaurant. You will see the photo location of the red buildings by looking across the water from hotel’s rear balcony area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/68c97b49ece2b13b72ca445d/36fcf4ca-289c-4fe5-8703-8595bc7c0cf1/Somm2.jpg Blog Overview - Norway - The photo of the wooden gate was also from an area walking distance to the hotel. 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