Inca Trails: Journey Through The Bolivian and Peruvian Andes [Paperback]

Martin Li (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2007

Imagine taking a wondrous journey through the remote, rugged and beautiful wilderness of the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. Imagine further that during your journey, you discover the gripping, poignant story of the rise and fall of the Inca empire. The Incas were the last great pre-Columbian civilisation to evolve in South America. Believing themselves the chosen people of the Sun God, they forged a vast empire that spanned the length of the Andes. Yet, at the height of their power, the all-conquering Incas themselves fell prey to a tiny band of Spanish invaders. Where did the Incas come from and what is the truth behind the many myths surrounding their meteoric rise and dramatic downfall? Join the author on a breathtaking voyage to find out. From the Incas' mythical birthplace in Lake Titicaca, journey across awe-inspiring Andean ranges to the empire's majestic pinnacle at Cuzco and Machu Picchu, and beyond to the scene of the Incas' final stand in the jungle-choked forests of Vilcabamba. Breathe in the clean, crisp air of the snow-capped Andes. Feel the tingling spiritual stillness of Lake Titicaca. Marvel as shooting stars streak across the Andean sky. Wonder at glorious Inca cities such as Machu Picchu, Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Choquequirao, and the beautiful colonial architecture of Cuzco. Woven throughout the tale of the journey is the gripping, poignant story of the rise and fall of the glittering, but short-lived, Inca empire. Discover the truth about the Incas and their fascinating culture and beliefs. Witness the bloody but daring Spanish Conquest and the doomed Inca attempts to repel the Conquistadores. Virtually the entire journey is a breathtaking palette of spectacular landscapes, historical resonance and vibrant culture that never fails to thrill and inspire. As you read, a deep sense of wonder cannot fail to awaken within you.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MARTIN LI is a writer and photographer who earlier studied physics at Cambridge. A keen skier, horserider and trekker, he has a passion for exploring the adventure and culture of the world's great mountain regions, especially the Himalayas, Alps and, above all, the Andean countries of South America. In 2000, he spent four months writing for The Bolivian Times in La Paz, covering diverse subjects ranging from privatisation and the Bolivian stockmarket to cock fighting. Martin won the 2005 Wilderness Award for this expedition, and has subsequently given several lectures on the journey. More light heartedly, he was a member of the triumphant "Explorers" team which won the "Test the Nation - Know Your Planet" show broadcast on BBC1 in May 2006. Martin's other adventures have included riding a horse across the Namib Desert, trekking to Bhutan's most sacred summit, close encounters with black bears in Alaska and rafting the thundering rapids of Panama's Rio Chiriqui. Martin is the author of Adventure Guide to Scotland and contributed to V!VA List Latin America. He lives in London and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (November 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434317102
• ISBN-13: 978-1434317100
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Travel > Latin America > South America > Bolivia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read Before going to south America, March 10, 2008

By 

Bonnie Neely - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inca Trails: Journey Through The Bolivian and Peruvian Andes (Paperback)

Inca Trails: Journey Through The Bolivian and Peruvian Andes by Martin Li is a very well written and fascinating book in which the author describes in great details his ambitious trek through the Andes. He is an ambitious hiker and made his journey to discover and trace the history of the last great pre-Columbian civilisation in South America, the Incas. The vast empire the Incas built and the civilized society they formed who built the amazing places such as Cuzco and Machu Picchu was conquered by a small band of Spaniards after only about three generations on the Inca Empire. Li's journey explores all the history of the Incas, visiting each significant place across the beautiful and rugged terrain of the Andes. His book is fascinating and informative as well as descriptively beautiful. Anyone going to the Andes should read it first in order to get a lot more out of your trip. We highly recommend it and wish we had had this book before our trip to Machu Picchu. a portion of the proceeds from the book is donated to help finance solar energy and other development projects in Bolivia and Peru. A MUST READ!