Earthen Ovens & Beehives: Why You Should Ditch Your Bucket List

Earthen Ovens & Beehives: Why You Should Ditch Your Bucket List

Eiffel Tower. Check. Stone Henge. Check. Angkor Wat. Check. Easter Island. Check. Bucket lists vary from person to person, but the idea of a bucket list is universal. Individuals compile a list of their favorite destinations,…

Doing one of life's best things: hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Doing one of life's best things: hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Guest post by Sandy Vakos One of my life's best things is the trip I made to Machu Piccu hiking the Inca Trail.  We had porters carrying our stuff:  tents, food, toilet paper, even a little toilet tent.  The Peruvian government…

Please don't write a review of our company on Trip Advisor!

Please don't write a review of our company on Trip Advisor!

This may sound counter productive to promoting our small business, but please read below to find out why this is important. If you don't have an established account on travel forums, including Trip Advisor, Fodor's or Lonely Planet,…

Peru: Every Hike you Book Supports the Best Porters Ever!

Peru: Every Hike you Book Supports the Best Porters Ever!

Whether you know it or not, every time you book any hike in Peru, a porter (in some companies, including ours, 2 porters) gets a job.  Porters come from small Qechua communities scattered through the Andes mountains near Cusco.…

Best way to explore Cusco: on foot

Best way to explore Cusco: on foot

On the way to Machu Picchu, don't forget to spend at least a couple of days in Cusco.  It's an exotic, high-altitude (11,000 ft / 3430 m) metropolis where venerable Inca civilization collided with "Levi's and cell phones."  You'll…

Why you should travel to Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands on separate trips

Why you should travel to Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands on separate trips

Are you considering one big trip to South America?  With stops in Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands?  Before you make your final decision, we offer some alternatives. Travelers planning to visit both Machu Picchu and Galapagos…

What is the Cost of a Trip to Machu Picchu?

What is the Cost of a Trip to Machu Picchu?

If you're contemplating a once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu, here's a breakdown of the real cost, including flights, hotels, guided tours, ground transportation and meals. The cost of a trip to Machu Picchu is based on minimum…

Ecuador birdwatching: Maria the Diva

Ecuador birdwatching: Maria the Diva

On their quest to find out more about the birds of Ecuador, the Virginia Beach Friends School 4th & 5th grade girls get up at 4 am to arrive at the La Paz reserve, near Mindo, Ecuador, just to see the famous Andean Cock of the…

Add Colca Canyon to the list of Peruvian destinations

Add Colca Canyon to the list of Peruvian destinations

The rich & famous, not-so-rich and even not-famous-at-all, go there. The ancient abandoned city of Machu Picchu attracts many kinds of travelers from around the world. Luxury travelers ride the Perurail 1st class Hiram Bingham…

Should Kids Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:  Parent Checklist

Should Kids Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Parent Checklist

Yes!  Kids should hike the 4-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. But like adults, there are some instances where they should not. We provide a checklist for parents to determine if your child is ready.   Use the list of questions…