Rylee McGowan bio, travels and hobbies

Hi!I'm Rylee McGowanTravel Advisor

Rylee is a photographer and musician originally from San Francisco. It was here that she studied Film Production at the State University and worked diligently through school at the Exploratorium Science Museum as an audiovisual technician and freelance photographer.

After graduation, Rylee had an urge to travel and explore the rest of the world, her camera at her side, and so spent time in Haiti, Mexico, South East Asia and Western Europe. She found the Caribbean and Latin American countries particularly visually exciting, although on one occasion, in Haiti, a voodoo curse was put on her by a lady worried that Rylee’s camera had captured part of her soul.

Her first experience of South America was when she traveled through Argentina and then to Peru… but she liked it so much she stayed!

“If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch. Move.” - Anthony Bourdain

Random Things That I Love

Yoga

Playing Music

Photography

Hiking

Music

Manu Chao,
David Byrne,
and The Pixies.

Books

Eat, Pray, Love,
The Alchemist,
and The Geography of Bliss

“The Alchemist”, “The Stranger”, and “Night Circus”.

4 Favorite Destinations in Peru

Amazon

Machu Picchu, Peru

Lima

Huaraz, Peru

My Peru Travel Tips and Recommendations:

Most travels want to bypass Lima, but if time allows, it’s worth spending a day to explore Peru’s capital. There are some interesting museums, lovely architecture and some of the best cuisine in the country. Lima was recently voted one of the top culinary destinations in the world. For museum and history lovers, I recommend a visit to the Larco museum, they have a wonderful collection of pre-columbian art and a great restaurant. It’s also open late, so a good option for layovers.

For travelers looking to get off the beaten path, Huaraz is a wonderful option to consider. Northeast of Lima, Huaraz is a great destination for outdoor adventurers, with fabulous hiking trails and mountain biking. You can visit the stunning glaciers and mountains of the Cordillera Blanca and Huascarán National Park. You’ll be busy during the day exploring the area, but be sure to make time to stop into the California Cafe or Cafe Andino for some fresh meals and cozy atmosphere.

The Peruvian Amazon is abundant in flora and fauna and distinct from the Andean Region and coast. I recommend programs of 4-5 days to enjoy the various excursions available and make the most of your time in the jungle.

Support sustainable tourism. All trash, including plastic water bottles, has to be shipped from Machu Picchu to Cusco via train. Help reduce waste by carrying a reusable water bottle.