Human beings have honoured their dead since the dawn of time – even Neanderthals buried the fallen. In fact, burial is the oldest of human rituals. From simple stone dolmens to the glory of the pyramids, humans have spent a lot of time and energy providing the deceased with a decent send-off.

Modern cemeteries run the gamut from park-like settings with simple gravestones to elaborate cities of the dead with architecture rivalling buildings designed for the living. Basic or bombastic, cemeteries tell us how people died, but also how they lived.

One of the most fascinating cemeteries on earth is La Recoleta, located in a classy Buenos Aires neighbourhood. It is an elegant masterpiece of architecture for the afterlife. The wide pathways (which are often patrolled by resident cats) are lined with mausoleums noteworthy for their variety of styles: cathedral, art nouveau, and modernistic boxes that one guide described as “ATM-style.” This cemetery is also known for its eclectic symbols including a menorah with a cross, lots of Masonic pyramids, and even some statues of pagan gods. Although Eva Peron is the most famous resident, the most tragic story belongs to Rufina Cambaceres who was buried alive here.

On the day of her 19th birthday, Rufina discovered that her mother was sleeping with Rufina’s boyfriend. A stunned Rufina fell into a catatonic state and was declared dead by two physicians (called to the scene by her mother). The poor girl was buried but woke up screaming and clawing at her casket. By the time a cemetery guard discovered the cracked lid on her coffin, she had died (for real) of a heart attack.

Cuba is crammed with beautiful beaches and idyllic islands. If you can tear yourself away from them, there’s a whole host of unmissable places to explore

Baracoa

Tucked away in the far eastern corner of Cuba, Baracoa’s distance from Havana makes it one of the least visited areas of the country. This has ensured that many of the local people have kept their traditions and continue to preserve the region’s pristine eco-system.

It is Cuba’s oldest settlement and was one of the first landing sites for Christopher Columbus back in 1492. Anyone venturing down here is captivated by the scenic journey, snaking along mountain sides before a final descent into this quaint little city, overlooked by the imposing tabletop mountain – El Yunque.

Surrounded by lush rainforest and stunning secluded beaches, Baracoa is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Havana and well worth a visit to see another side to this fascinating country. Cocoa trees are found in abundance in the local area so be sure to sample the local chocolate.

Horticultural tour of an Organopónico

Organopónicos are a system of urban organic gardens that have sprung up in Cuba as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Back in the 1990s the collapse, combined with the US trade embargo, drastically left the country with insufficient food and other essential supplies, like petrol and machinery.

Faced with this crisis the government introduced a system of self-sufficiency by giving land and water to cooperatives in return for a share of the crops. Thus an organic revolution began to take place all over Cuba, with the imaginative use of any spare space to grow food; crumbling walls supporting plant pots and old parking lots converted into small vegetable plots and the Organopónicos were born.

Featured by the broadcaster Monty Don in his TV programme Around the World in 80 Gardens, visiting one of these impressive plots and being proudly shown around by a local gardener is a fascinating insight into everyday life in Cuba and a truly wonderful experience.

Sancti Spiritus

This delightful colonial town just an hour from Trinidad, is full of charm and character and much over-looked by most visitors to Cuba. It was, like Trinidad, founded by Diego Velazquez in 1514 and became the military, political and economic centre of the area in the colonial period. This led to the city being embellished with elegant 17th and 18th century mansions with a compact and attractive colonial centre similar to Trinidad’s but far more peaceful with appealingly local authenticity.

There is a simple but charming hotel located right on its attractive central plaza called the Hotel de Rijo. A stay here can make a welcome break from the humdrum of Cuba’s larger cities.

The end of a year has always been a time to look back, to reflect on where you’ve been and what you’ve learned. But it’s also a time to look ahead at the coming year, to make plans, to dream. In order to provide you with ideas and inspiration, and get you thinking about where you want to travel this year, here are four destinations worthy of consideration in 2012. Two of the places were chosen because there’s something special happening this year that makes 2012 an ideal time to visit. Even if you pick a totally different destination, what matters is that you’re going out to see the world.

Copan, Honduras

December 21, 2012 marks the end of a cycle of 5,125 years since the beginning of the Mayan Long Count calendar in 3113 BC. Some people think this means the Mayans predicted the world would end on this day, but most modern Mayan scholars actually think it’s simply the end of one era and the beginning of another, a time of rebirth and celebration.

No matter which you believe, if you want a ringside seat for the event, you’ll have plenty of ancient Mayan sites to choose from. Honduras, and specifically the ruins at Copan, should be at the top of your list. Less touristic than Tikal, Chichen Itza, or Tulum, Copan sits just one mile outside of the of Copan Ruinas, a hilly small town where cowboys still ride through the cobblestone streets and vendors sell handmade tortillas from street stalls for only a dollar. Outside of town, you can visit a coffee plantation, learn to cook a traditional Honduran meal, or soak in a natural hot spring. And unlike neighbouring Costa Rica, Honduras has yet to become an eco-adventure hotspot, so it’s a bit easier to get off the beaten path, plus, since the country experience a major drop in tourism in 2009 (due to the ousting of President Zelaya and the resulting protests) and is still recovering, it’s cheaper than more popular destinations in the region.

The big day is predicted for December 21, 2012, which falls during the country’s dry season when temperature are hot but not too humid and there is little rain.

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Hidden deep within the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula lie the ruins of one of the largest cities of Mayan civilisation. Chichen Itza is noted for illustrating the fusion of Mayan-Toltec civilizations, through its multitude of elaborate and highly decorated ceremonial structures, including temples, pyramids, palaces and observatories.

Highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site include the Great Hall Court, El Castillo and the Temple of the Warriors. Visit in March to witness the Descent of Kukulcan, where sculptures of Feathered Serpents running down the sides of the northern staircase of El Castillo, appear to come to life.

As above, the big day is December 21, 2012. Join the celebrations at El Castillo, the grand pyramid in Chichen Itza dedicated to Kukulkan, a feathered serpent deity.

Chile

Although Chile isn’t as popular as other South American countries such as Peru, Brazil, Argentina or Colombia, it offers plenty for the independent traveller. From the dry deserts and unique landscapes of the north to the bustling metropolis that is Santiago, to the beauty of the lake districts and the wildness of Patagonia in the south, Chile has a diversity of scenery not found in many other countries. Add in the friendly locals, the amazing beef that rivals neighbour Argentina, and a plethora of seafood with nearly 4000 miles of coastline, and Chile should start getting some attention.

While Chile isn’t as cheap as some other South American destinations like Peru and Bolivia, cost of travel is still extremely low when compared to more western locations like Europe and North America. There is a major international hub in Santiago, and the overland transport options are many, with cheap and comfortable overland buses and unique river and fjord travel options in the south. If you’re a hiker and outdoors type, Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia regularly tops lists of greatest places in the world to trek. The landscape of this country nestled between the Atlantic and the Andes needs to be seen to be believed, and if you are into lakes, glaciers, volcanoes, beaches, and salt flats, you’ll be happy with a trip to Chile.

Because Chile spans such a large north to south area, when you visit largely depends on where you’re going. If heading to Patagonia in the south, then the summer months of December to February provide the best weather (but also the larger crowds and prices).

If visiting the central part of the country (Santiago and Valparaiso), visiting any time between October and April is good, but spring or fall will provide you with the most pleasant time. The areas in the north, including the Atacama Desert (the driest desert on Earth), can be visited year-round, just be aware of the altitude, which means hot days and cool nights no matter what time of year you visit. Summer is the rainy season in the northern altiplano, but you can expect just an afternoon shower daily instead of weeks of rain at a time.

Nicaragua

Central American countries have been gobbled up by independent travellers for years. Costa Rica was an early and obvious target, and in recent years Guatemala and Panama have risen up the ladder as well. While Nicaragua isn’t exactly undiscovered, however, it doesn’t tend to be as popular with travellers – making it an ideal ‘next stop’ on your Central American tour.

Like other countries in Central America, Nicaragua is an excellent destination for eco-tourism – between two long stretches of coastline on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea there are volcanoes to hike and huge lakes to enjoy, not to mention places like the famous Corn Islands just offshore. Nicaragua’s capital of Managua was severely damaged in a 1972 earthquake, but the gorgeous colonial cities of Granada and León more than makes up for whatever Managua lacks. Granada is Nicaragua’s oldest colonial city, and León has some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in the country.

While the price of travel in many parts of Central America remains fairly low and you won’t lure anyone to Nicaragua solely because of the promise of cheap travel, Nicaragua is far cheaper to visit than Costa Rica or Panama. It’s one of the best bargains in the region, and with tourism numbers increasing exponentially in recent years it’s not likely to stay that way forever.

In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s summer, and in South America, there is plenty of warm weather, sun, sandy beaches perfect for snorkelling, surfing and sunbathing and lush, green forests and mountains for hiking and camping.

In the mild summer weather of Patagonia in the southern part of the continent, you can zip-line through forest canopies or jet-ski across crystalline, azure lakes. In the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela, you can trek through steamy jungles to catch a glimpse of colourful birds and exotic animals. Most of South America lies in the Southern Hemisphere, but even in the Northern Hemisphere countries, the weather is generally much warmer at this time of year than in North America or Europe. Head south both to escape the cold and to have the adventure of a lifetime. Here are ten suggestions to get you started:

Los Roques Archipelago National Park, Venezuela

By far, the most pristine and lesser-known group of islands in the Caribbean, Los Roques is an atoll of 350 beach-fringed islands and cays lying 80 miles north of the coast of Venezuela. A 546-acre nature reserve was created in 1972 to protect an extensive ecosystem of islands, beaches, coral reefs, sea turtles, seabirds, marine life, mangroves and sea grass beds. The dazzlingly white sand beaches and shallow, turquoise warm waters are excellent for snorkelling, scuba diving, wind-sailing, kite-surfing, sport fishing and boating and the wide, shallow flats allow beach-goers to stroll into the ocean knee-deep far from the beach.

Most people travel to Los Roques in organized groups, specifically for fishing or diving trips, but it is possible to travel independently. Using a travel agency is advisable, given the currency-exchange, security and logistical challenges of travelling within Venezuela, but if you prefer to go it alone, flights leave daily from Caracas or Isla Margarita (Margarita Island) and hotels at various price levels are plentiful.

San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

The stunningly beautiful, forested lake district of Argentina known by locals as simply Bariloche, is famous for its crystal blue lakes and rivers dotted with green islands and its backdrop of emerald hills and the snow-capped Andes Mountains. In the Southern Hemisphere winter, it is a mecca for skiers and winter sport enthusiasts, but it is still lively during the summer months of December through April as a centre for trekking, camping, forest canopy zip-lining, boating, Jet-skiing, rock-climbing, white-water rafting, kayaking, paragliding, scuba diving, canoeing, horseback riding and 4×4 off-road excursions.

Located in the centre of Patagonia, with a quaint Bavarian-themed town centre famous for its chocolate and dulce de leche, Bariloche is an excellent base for exploring nearby mountain trails and nature reserves such as Nahuel Huapi National Park, the oldest in Argentina. Bariloche has many direct flights from Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago de Chile and can also be reached easily from most towns and cities through the expansive and generally reliable long-distance bus networks of South America.

Ilha Grande, Angra Dos Reis, Brazil

Ilha Grande (big island) is part of a group of twenty-two islands, filled with beautiful, tranquil coves and beaches, lying off the southeast coast of Brazil. Its beaches, such as Lopes Mendes Beach, are consistently rated as some of the best in the world, and are known for their ultra-soft white sand and waves perfect for surfing. The tranquil, laid-back town centre (no cars allowed) is easily walked, with many posadas or hostels available in all price ranges, numerous cafes and beach-side restaurants, travel agencies and shops.

After visiting the beaches, travellers looking for more action can try out the full- and half-day sailing excursions on pirate-themed schooners, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, surfing, swimming, exploring other islands and beaches, forest trekking, sea kayaking, camping or mountain biking. Although Ilha Grande has no commercial airport, it is a relatively short hop of about 3 and a half hours by bus from nearby Rio de Janeiro to Angra, where there is a connecting ferry. Ilha Grande is a great place to kick back and relax (or recuperate) after the excitement of Rio.

Puerto Maldonado, Peru

When visiting Peru, most travellers make a beeline to Machu Picchu, Arequipa or Colca Canyon, but the less frequented Amazonia area is well worth a visit. This thickly forested area of the Amazon, with its extensive river system, tropical rain forests and diverse wildlife is the jumping off point for Manú National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park as well as a base for incredible guided nature walking tours, eco-hotels and bird- and animal-spotting 4×4 excursions.

Visitors can view a large variety of birds and animals, including many endangered species: tarantulas, anacondas, clay-eating macaws, parrots, toucans, jaguars, colourful butterflies, egrets, turtles, tapirs, caimans and peccaries are all in abundance. Direct flights from most cities of Peru are widely available. Reserving an eco-tour package is a good idea since many of the trails and excursions are inaccessible, and potentially dangerous, without a guide.

Estancias (Dude Ranches), Uruguay

Uruguay, known as the Switzerland of South America and an important ranching centre, has opened many of its traditional estancias to the tourist trade. The cost of running these vast, privately-owned cattle ranches has become prohibitive for most owners and instead of selling their properties, some of which have been in their families for generations, many families have opted to cater to guests. Many estancias now offer private or shared accommodations, asados (a variety of meats grilled outside on a wood fire), horseback riding lessons and a chance for visitors to experience the authentic South American cowboy or “gaucho” way of life first-hand by working as a ranch hand.

There is a wide variety of estancias, from very basic to luxurious, from rustic family-run working cattle ranches to elegant properties with pools, spas and room service. From Montevideo, take one of the many buses to the town closest to the estancia of your choice. Uruguay has an excellent, reliable cross-country bus system and most estancias offer pick-up service from nearby terminals.

Torres del Paine, Chile

Torres del Paine National Park in the south of Chile boasts almost 600,000 acres of untamed, protected wilderness. Towering mountains, glacial lakes, well-maintained trails and meadows filled with wildflowers are all abundant and the park is home to families of condors, pumas and guanacos. There is something for everyone: numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty and length, boat trips through iceberg-filled waterways, guided tours and glacier hiking. Visitors to the park can stay in nearby Puerto Natales or inside the park grounds at free or low-cost campsites, basic refugios, mid-range or luxury hotels. It’s possible to hike alone, in small groups, with a guided excursion, on a full moon night trek, a 4×4 day trip or explore on horseback.

The weather in the park is highly unpredictable and can be extreme, so raingear and warm clothing are essential even in summer, when the weather can go from warm and sunny to freezing cold with high winds and rain in a matter of minutes. Although the conditions can be challenging, it is well worth a visit to this savagely beautiful park. To reach the park, most travellers fly into Puerto Natales, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina, then take one of the hourly buses that leave from the town centre to the park entrance or hotels. Once you pay the park entrance fee, you can stay for as many days as you like inside the park, but be aware that, if you leave the park and want to return, you must re-pay the entrance fee.

Baños, Ecuador

A little known charming town filled with natural hot springs, great restaurants and shops, Baños (named “baths” for its thermal springs), is home to both Tungurahua, the largest volcano in Ecuador and to San Martin Zoological Gardens, a reserve dedicated to the protection of injured and endangered Amazonian animals and birds. It is a great, tranquil base for adventure sports, volcano trekking and exploring, hiking through cloud forests or the high Andes, river rafting, trekking, mountain biking, 4×4 off-road adventures, bird watching, volcano exploration tours or just relaxing in the town’s thermal baths.

Although a popular tourist stop, the town maintains a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking up a volcano. To reach Baños, fly into Quito and take a connecting bus to the town centre.

Valle de Cocora, Salento, Colombia

One of the most uninhabited, pristine areas of Colombia, Valle de Cocora near Salento is also one of the most breathtaking hiking spots in the world. The valley’s trails offer spectacular views of the Andean volcanoes known as Los Nevados, cloud forests, lush countryside, green rolling hills, waterfalls and colourful, iridescent hummingbirds.

The area is also home to the tallest palm tree in the world, the Wax Palm, which can grow up to 70 meters high (about 230 feet). The trails are generally good, but can be uneven and include several river crossings so it’s best to go with a local guide. In Bogata or Cartegena, there are many travel agencies that can arrange 4×4 transportation and an English-speaking guide. The hike can be done in a day, but take food, plenty of water and warm clothes as this is a remote area with few, if any, places to buy supplies.

Mérida/Los Nevados, Venezuela

The town of Mérida lies between two Andean mountain ranges and is a hugely popular vacation spot for Venezuelans, but largely unvisited by foreign tourists. The topographically diverse countryside is home to four national parks, twelve state parks, snow-capped mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, lakes, coffee plantations and even a tropical beach (Playa Palmarito). From Mérida, it is possible to take side trips to visit local Andean communities and scenic lookouts.

Take a burro, jeep or cable car to lookout points or to remote mountain villages like Los Nevados, a town that lies between Mérida and the highest mountain in Venezuela, Pico Toro. The weather is spring-like and pleasant year round in Mérida, but can be much colder in the mountain villages, so take warm clothing. From the capital city of Caracas, fly or take a bus directly to Mérida.

The Pantanal, Brazil

The Pantanal in the south central area of Brazil is the world’s largest protected wetland at 54,000 square miles, with up to 12 sub-regional ecosystems. As of 2000, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but generally lesser known to non-Brazilians than the Amazon basin. The extensive nature reserve was established to protect the more than 1000 species of birds, 400 of fish, 300 of mammals, 480 of reptiles, 9,000 of invertebrates and 3,000 species of known plant life.

Camping, lodging, transportation and tour facilities are available and guides are recommended. Most hostels and hotels offer a package which includes piranha fishing, night safari jeep tours, horseback riding, river excursions, tubing and nature walks. Fly into Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and take a connecting flight to the any of the towns closest to the wetlands: Campo Grande or Bonito in the south, Cuiaba in the north or Corumba in the west. Excursions or independent transportation can be booked from any of the towns and leave daily.

A trek along an ancient path between soaring mountains to get to a secret city – the Inca Trail is the stuff of travel legend

Located in southern Peru, not far from Cusco, the Inca Trail is the awesome Andean walk with the ultimate payoff: a path that runs along a scared valley, via a raging river, intriguing ruins and soaring condors, to pass through a regal gateway from which the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu unfurls before you.

Sadly you won’t be the first to have cottoned on to the wonder of the Inca Trail. Since Hiram Bingham ‘discovered’ Machu Picchu in 1911 – something the Spanish conquistadores failed to do centuries before – intrepid travellers have been tramping this stone-paved Incan highway to get to the hill-perched site.

In fact so many travellers were walking the Inca Trail that the Peruvian government stepped in, restricting numbers and banning independent trekking. You now need to apply for a permit to hike the Inca Trail, and you must hike with a guide.

This is a good thing. It has relieved some of the pressure on the Inca Trail, which is better for the fragile environment, and for your experience – the path and campsites will be far less crowded. It does mean you need to plan your hike in advance to ensure you get a place.

Advance planning is essential anyway. The Inca Trail is a four-day, 43km hike that reaches an altitude of 4,200m; you will be trekking for several hours a day, with some big ascents and descents. You need to be physically prepared before attempting it.

Your Peruvian guides and porters will help as much as possible, generally transporting your main pack, cooking you hearty meals and setting up camp each night, so you are free to just concentrate on the walk.

It’s well worth the sweat and strain, however – even if you don’t get the trail to yourself. Enjoy the scenery en route – there are plenty of Incan ruins, stunning Andean views and interesting flora and fauna that your guide will be able to point out – then prepare yourself for the sight of Machu Picchu itself: the icing on the cake.

There’s nothing like the satisfaction of approaching Machu Picchu on one’s own two feet, which is why the classic Inca Trail hike has become so popular in recent years. The time when a traveller could roll into Cusco and set up an Inca Trail trek for the following day or week has long since passed, though. To limit damage to the trail, the Peruvian government now limits access to 500 persons per day, porters included. Permits for the peak summer season sell out months in advance.

Fortunately, the Inca were master road builders who blazed trails all throughout the Andes, and many of these are alternate routes to Machu Picchu (or at least you get as close as a quick train ride). Here are six alternatives, most of which require no permits and can be arranged through any reputable outfitter in Cusco. Some of these hikes are available in multiple variations and can be tailored to meet a particular fitness level; those listed here are among the most popular versions.

1. The Salcantay Route

The classic Inca Trail is famed for the diversity of its topography and ecosystems; the Salcantay Route’s smorgasbord is even more impressive. The 20,500-feet-high Mount Salcantay was one of the holiest apus, or sacred peaks, in the Inca religious pantheon. It’s still revered today in traditional Andean religion. This mule-assisted hike cuts through the beautiful Mollepata Valley and traverses past Salcantay at an altitude above 15,000 feet. From those chilly heights, the trail descends into subtropical cloud forest, where it meets up with an ancient Inca highway (part of the original Capac Ñan network that connected the far ends of the empire) that leads to the recently rediscovered ruins of Llactapata. From there, one can gaze a few miles across the valley to take in a rare sidelong view of the full Machu Picchu complex. A downhill walk ends at the small train station, where a frequent shuttle runs along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu.

Trip Length: 5 to 8 days

Difficulty Level: Medium to difficult

2. The Lares Route

The Sacred Valley, through which hundreds of thousands of train-riding visitors pass each year on their way from Cusco to Machu Picchu, is justifiably famous for its beauty. It’s also a little crowded. Just beyond the massive snow-capped peaks that mark the Sacred Valley’s northern edge, however, sits the Lares Valley. Here, life continues much as it has for centuries. Locals in traditional Andean dress plant potatoes by hand, raise herds of llamas and alpacas, and weave cloth as they have for generations. Those farmers and artisans may be the only other people you see for days. This trek usually starts at the tiny town of Lares, home to a famous hot spring, and passes through several villages. Along the way it provides close-up views of the 18,000-plus feet of Mount Veronica and several high-altitude lakes. It ends near the historic ruins of Ollantaytambo, and from there the train trip to Machu Picchu is only 90 minutes.

Trip Length: 3 to 5 days

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. The One-Day Inca Trail

The standard Inca Trail trip takes four days, though it’s probably better to do it in five. Travellers who want to see two of the greatest hits of the famous hike but who are short on time can opt for this truncated version, which begins at KM 104 of the Machu Picchu train line. A three-hour uphill hike leads to Wiñay Wayna, a spectacular site of stone ruins and curved agricultural terraces that cling to a steep ridge high above the Urubamba River. Hikers can choose between walking ahead the same day to Machu Picchu, or spending one night on the trail, so as to be able to enter the lost city at dawn via the Sun Gate, the dramatic entrance that provides Inca Trail trekkers with their first glimpse of the site. Note: The one-day Inca Trail requires one of the 500 daily Inca Trail permits, and therefore must be booked far in advance.

Trip Length: 1 day (2 if you camp overnight)

Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Vilcabamba Traverse Route

This weeklong walk covering 60 mountainous miles is not for the faint of heart or weak of legs. Starting at the town of Cachora, a two-day hike crosses the mile-deep Apurimac River canyon to the remote ruins of Choquequirao (the name means “Cradle of Gold” in Quechua), which have become famous in recent years for their similarity to Machu Picchu. The route then continues—in some spots along original stone Inca highways—through the sparsely populated Cordillera Vilcabamba, which looks much the same as when Hiram Bingham first explored here a century ago. Trekkers traverse a mountain range, cross rivers and valleys, and cut through several of Peru’s diverse biozones: dry scrub, lush cloud forest, and puna, a high-altitude grassland. The trek ends a short walk or train ride from Machu Picchu.

Trip Length: 7 to 13 days

Difficulty Level: Difficult

5. The Lodge Trek

This new route is for those who want to hike like an old-school Andean explorer by day but sleep between clean sheets each night after cocktails and a gourmet meal. (And who don’t mind paying for the privilege of staying at the four fully serviced private lodges that dot the route.) The journey is similar to the Salcantay Route, offering close-up views of the sacred apu and its glaciers, but places an emphasis on comfort rather than on roughing it. The trail reaches a height of 15,000 feet before descending into a lush valley where coffee and bananas grow. Luxury lodgings near Machu Picchu and a private tour guide at the ruins are usually included in the price of a package tour.

Trip Length: 7 to 11 days

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. The Chaski (or Cachicata) Trail

The outposts of the vast Inca Empire were kept connected by fleet-footed chaski messengers, who ran so fast (according to lore) that the emperor was able to dine in Cusco on fresh fish from the Pacific Ocean, a mountainous 300 miles away. This high-altitude route follows some of the same paths those runners might have used, and takes in scarcely visited Inca buildings, water channels, and quarries, where one can see firsthand how the Inca obtained the stone they used in their building projects. Most versions of the Chaski Route include a stop at the spectacular waterfall named Perolniyoc and its nearby ruins. The trail ends at Ollantaytambo, where trekkers can visit one of the most famous sets of Inca ruins before hopping the train to Machu Picchu.

Trip Length: 3 to 5 days

Difficulty Level: Medium

If a former Qantas group chief economist has his way, airline passengers will soon have another queue to endure when checking in – the queue to be weighed

Tony Webber, now an associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School, has proposed a controversial ‘weight surcharge’ to help airlines cover rising costs.

Airline costs have increased since 2000 because ‘passengers are carrying a bit more heft’ says Webber, not just because of higher fuel prices. He calculates that the increase in average weight of passengers means 3.72 extra barrels of jet fuel are burnt on the average Sydney to London flight.

This may not seem like much, says Webber, but ‘when you add it up over all flights for a year the extra cost can all but wipe out an airline’s profits.’

While Qantas and Tiger Airlines were quick to state that they had no immediate plans to introduce a ‘fat tax’, KLM and Air France are considering a proposal to force larger passengers to pay for not just one seat, but 75% of the seat next to them as well.

There was no mention of whether extremely thin passengers would be offered the rest of the seat for a quarter of the normal price…

Founder of the Virgin Group, including Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson was also quiet on the subject, leading some to speculate that a special Virgin airfare/gym membership deal is being offered to help passengers to get in shape before they fly.

What do you think? Should larger passengers have to pay more? Should smaller people get a discount? Or is this just another ludicrous charge on travellers?

If you are thinking of taking a cruise in the Galapagos between now and the end of March, Andean Travel Company have got some mouth-watering offers for you.

They are offering special rates aboard their yachts Galapagos Voyager (www.galapagosvoyageryacht.com) and Galapagos Odyssey (www.galapagosodysseyyacht.com). Please visit the websites for yacht information.

A special new year discount of between US$300 and US$800 is available on the Galapagos Voyager (4, 5 and 8 day trips), and a discount of between US$350 and US$1000 on the Galapagos Odyssey (5, 6, 10, 11 and 15 day trips).

The special rates apply to bookings received before the 30th of March and for travel in January, February and March 2012.

If you have any questions about their yachts or these special offers, please visit www.andeantc.com or contact sales1@andeantc.com

Due to constant rainfall and landslides on the Inca Trail, authorities have decided to limit the access to the campsites number 6, 8, 9 and 17 on the Wiñaywayna Sector. If the landslides continues authorities might also limit the access to Phuyupatamarca, Chaquicoccha and Puente Ruinas with the objective to keep travellers safe. Authorities also recommend that the Intihuatana sector on the northwest zone of Machu Picchu sanctuary shouldn’t be used due to same reasons.

We would like to remind you that the Classic Inca Trail is closed for the whole month of February. This is a regulation imposed by the Peruvian government to allow trail crews to make needed repairs, to pick up any garbage left on the trail, and to allow campsite vegetation to grow again. No one can start the Classic Inca Trail trek on any date from 1 – 28 February.

We support this regulation as it is good for the trail. Additionally, February is in the heart of the rainy season which runs from about mid-November to mid-March, so most travellers won’t be attempting to trek during this time anyway.

If you happen to be in Peru in February, you do have alternatives. The alternative Royal Inca Trail is still open, as are the Lares and Cachiccata hikes. Given the likelihood of rain, you might also consider the shorter, closer-to-comfort Sacred Valley Trek.

Exactly 52 weeks are left before 21 December, 2012, when some believe the Maya predicted the end of the world.

Unlike enthusiasts of other doomsday theories who suggest putting together survival kits, south-eastern Mexico, the heart of Maya territory, plans a yearlong celebration.

Mexico’s tourism agency expects to draw 52 million visitors by next year only to the regions of Chiapas, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Campeche. All of Mexico usually lures about 22 million foreigners in a year.

It’s selling the date, the Winter Solstice in the coming year, as a time of renewal. Many archaeologists argue that the 2012 reference on a 1,300-year-old stone tablet only marks the end of a cycle in the Mayan calendar.

“The world will not end. It is an era,” said Yeanet Zaldo, a tourism spokeswoman for the Caribbean state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun. “For us, it is a message of hope.”

Cities and towns in the Mayan region on Wednesday will start the yearlong countdown. In Chiapas the town of Tapachula on the Guatemalan border will start a countdown on an 8-foot digital clock in the main park exactly a year before the mysterious date.

In the nearby archaeological site of Izapa, Maya priests will burn incense, chant and offer prayers.

In the tropical jungle of Quintana Roo, between the resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, people are putting messages and photos in a time capsule that will be buried for 50 years. Maya priests and Indian dancers will perform a ritual at the time capsule ceremony.

Yucatan state has announced plans to complete the Maya Museum of Merida by next summer.

“People who still live in Mayan villages will host rites and burn incense for us to go back in time and try to understand the Mayan wisdom,” Zaldo said.

The Maya reputation for wisdom has people taking the alleged prediction seriously.

The Mayan civilization, which reached its height from 300 A.D. to 900 A.D., had a talent for astronomy

Its Long Count calendar begins in 3,114 B.C., marking time in roughly 394-year periods known as Baktuns. Thirteen was a significant, sacred number for the Mayas, and they wrote that the 13th Baktun ends on 21 December, 2012.

The doomsday theories stem from a stone tablet discovered in the 1960s at the archaeological site of Tortuguero in the Gulf of Mexico state of Tabasco that describes the return of a Mayan god at the end of a 13th period.

Believers have taken the end-of-the world fears to the Internet with hundreds of thousands of websites and blogs.

“The Maya are viewed by many westerners as exotic folks that were supposed to have had some special, secret knowledge,” said Mayan scholar Sven Gronemeyer. “What happens is that our expectations and fears get projected on the Maya calendar.”

Gronemeyer of La Trobe University in Australia compares the supposed Mayan prophecies to the “Y2K” hype, when people feared all computer systems would crash when the new millennium began on 1 January, 2000.

For some reason, Gronemeyer says, people have ignored evidence that dates beyond 2012 were recorded.

The blogosphere exploded with more speculation when Mexico’s archaeology institute acknowledged on Nov. 24 a second reference to 21 December, 2012, on a brick found at other ruins.

“Human beings seem to be attracted by apocalyptic ideas and always assume the worst,” Gronemeyer said.

It’s all a bit frustrating for serious Mayan researchers whose field has made huge strides in recent years.

“This new historical and archaeological knowledge is so much more interesting and mind-blowing than the fantastical claims about Maya prophecies one sees on TV, books or on the Internet,” David Stuart, a specialist in Mayan epigraphy at the University of Texas at Austin, said in an email to The Associated Press. “We’re dealing with thousands of newly deciphered texts and trying to weave together a coherent picture of Maya history and culture, which to me is as exciting as it gets.”

While the 2012 hype might increase interest in the Maya, “that will probably be offset by the long and difficult effort ahead to correct the ubiquitous lies and misconceptions, even after 2012 has come and gone,” he wrote.

Jonnie Channell of Albuquerque, New Mexico, says that 2012 “is going to be one of those things where people are definitely going to have to plan,” not because of impending apocalypse, but because hotel rooms in the Maya region are probably going to be full.

Channell, who owns Maya Sites Travel Services, is surprised that she already has 24 reservations for three tour packages she is offering to major Mayan ruin sites in the week leading up to the solstice.

She named one “Beginning the New Calendar Era Under the Yucatan Stars.”

“We put together these tours, and we’ve got lots of signups, and people are excited about it,” she said. “If anybody thinks it’s going to be the end of the world, then they better stay home.”