I agree with you that there is something to be said about visiting places which haven’t been overrun by tourism. It is nice to make these sites more accessible, yet part of the joy in experiencing them is the process of getting there itself. Although I am sure that Machu Picchu can be appreciated on its own, it must look all that much better after spending three days hiking to get there. I really enjoyed visiting the ruins in Angkor Wat but I had an even better time exploring the lesser known ancient Khmer sites surrounding Siem Reap. The ruins of these ancient sites were fascinating but also wee bit dangerous - most of the sites haven√¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t been fully excavated and those that have are littered with landmines. Getting there by motor biking through the Cambodian countryside and visiting some of the smaller villages was an interesting and rewarding experience as well, one which I wasn’t looking for but that somehow managed to find me.

I’m currently looking at other Incan sites to visit, Kuelap being one of them, so if you know of any others I’d love to hear about them.

For me, one of the greatest joys is to find a place that hasn’t been overtrampled by huge crowds, a place where you can stand still and soak up the atmosphere. Pilgrimage, the long walk, what I would simply class as a memorable experience, is a deeply personal thing - and I think you often find memorable experiences where you least expect them - for me, it has been something as simple as an unforgettable meal.

Thanks for linking to my Machu Picchu pic - loved yours of Angkor Wat.