Links
Interesting writers, travellers and explorers:
Benedict Allen - whose Mad White Giant was just the first of a string of epic travel books.
Roz Savage – who having joined one of my Peruvian expeditions is now trying to be the first woman to row across the Pacific. With a high tec tracker so you can follow her progress (she always did have the best gear!)
Mike Jay – who has helped me navigate the wilder shores of Peruvian hallucinogenic substances when writing about them, and has written some excellent books on drug and other cultures.
Christopher Somerville who has walked more of Britain’s wild places and the world than just about anyone else I know….
…except possibly Rob Macfarlane who has also explored some intriguing mountains of the mind and carried on the legacy of the wonderful and much missed Roger Deakin.
Bidisha, whose Jamesian memoir of Venetian Masters and manners probes at the darker side of La Serenissima.
William Dalrymple, whose recent and excellent Nine Lives book begins by describing a walk to a shrine at the source of the Ganges – a walk I later took with him, arriving at Kedernath just as the snows were melting and the ash-smeared naked naga sadhus arriving …..
And for a healthily uncommercial contrast to the Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman project of motorbiking around the world, check out the delightfully eccentric Hubert Kriegel who is now in his fifth year trying to get around the world with his sidecar – but without a support team.
A collection of travellers doing some mad cycling adventures – like crossing the world on a Penny farthing – can be found at the atly named www.crazyguyonabike.com
Or take the Magic Bus to India with Rory MacLean, whose Berlin Blog makes fine reading as well.
I recently met Dervla Murphy, now in her late-70s, who remains passionate about politics, conservation, bicycling and beer after some 20 travel books over a career that spans half a century. See my interview with her in the Telegraph
And for some serious and knowledgeable writing about Egypt, nobody beats Anthony Sattin. As described in my review of his latest book.
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Advice about travelling off the beaten track in South America:
Highly recommended American-based trekking company – and friends of Hugh’s: Adventure Specialists, run by Gary Ziegler and Amy Finger, who offer the chance to join an archaeological research expeditions in the Andes as well as various horse tours.
For a recommended and friendly base in the Urubamba valley from which to base treks – and where I lived for a while with my family as described in Cochineal Red: K’uychi Rumi
and to go on a trek designed by Hugh in Mexico for Mountain Kingdoms: this is a wild and wonderful trip through the Copper Canyon – including a ride on the famous train that heads from Chihuahua down to the coast. See also Hugh’s piece in the Guardian about the area in which Pancho Villa chose to lose himself when on the run.
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General on Peru:
Excellent book of photos on Peru by ace photographer and bartender Max Milligan
Good Peruvian features magazine (in English): Rumbos
Specialist web-sites:
Best bibliographical resource on Machu Picchu
best Andeanist on-line resource
For the complete digital Guaman Poma: Guaman Poma
Gary Urton’s impressive research project on the meaning of the khipus, the knotted cords used by the Incas and earlier Peruvian civilisations but as yet largely undeciphered.
The Cusichaca Trust, which pioneered the restoration of traditional Andean agricultural terraces and irrigation canals and has tried to combat rural poverty with innovative technology.
for forthcoming talks and readings – and to join Hugh for a Travel Writing Course