Travel Blog
Expert tips, destination guides, and stories from our adventures across South America. Get inspired for your next journey.
New Machu Picchu Airport Scheduled to Open in October 2024
After years of wrangling over property rights and other legal mumbo-jumbo, the construction of an airport in the farmlands surrounding Chinchero is well underway. But still tainted by disagreements for approving design decisions, the struggle to move forward is frought with interruptions. The process for obtaining cons
How We Got to Machu Picchu On "The Wings Of A Condor"
Fortunately, it's not often that something goes horribly wrong on a trip. Issues with hotel reservations, tardy flights, missed trains or buses are one thing, but getting stranded in a far-flung location during a mudslide on the way to Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime occurence. In 17 years of exploring Peru, nothi
Tips for Booking Flights to Peru, Ecuador and Chile
One of the most important steps in planning your trip to South America is to figure out how to arrange your flights and then choose the best place to buy them. Here are strategies for choosing airlines and guidelines for buying your tickets.
Machu Picchu Bus Service on Shaky Ground
It ain't over folks! You're probably wondering what in thunder'n tarnation is going on with shuttle buses at Machu Picchu. Surely by the new year in 2026, everything has been settled right? Nope. The struggle continues, quietly so far, into 2026, and the bottom line is that nothing has been legally settled. The old com
2026 Machu Picchu Tickets and Inca Trail Hiking Permits - It's Complicated
All the tickets for entry to Machu Picchu in 2026 can now be viewed on the official Peru government website. We survived the 10 day process of buying our tickets on the day they were released in January. If you're planning a trip to Machu Picchu in 2026, you can buy your entry tickets now. And you should. Before you pl
1-Day Guide Service to Machu Picchu
Tour guides at Machu Picchu are not required but strongly recommended. The reason they're recommended is to help people navigate the various steps and logistics to get to Machu Picchu. I'm talking about a tour guide that is booked in advance. He or she may travel with you from Cusco, or meet you at the train station or
Which Circuit is the Best For the Classic Photo of Machu Picchu?
Starting June 1, 2024 there were major changes to all the circuits at Machu Picchu. So much is going on, we wrote up an entire new post. CLICK HERE
When is Machu Picchu's High Season?
When is Machu Picchu's high season and why does it matter? You just buy any entry ticket on the date you want, and show up! Right? Well. Kind of. Yes. you buy your ticket online and just show up. But the question is, what if you want to buy a particular ticket for a certain hike inside the park? Are all entry tickets t
Why is Waynapicchu Hike at Machu Picchu Closed in June 2026?
it's not what you think. In case you're wondering. Machu Picchu National Park is not closing. The reason for closing Huayna Picchu (AKA Waynapicchu) in June is to overhaul the trail. Why they would select the beginning of the high season to undertake this project is the question. It's their national park and they can d
Qosqo Tales
Our local guides are Andean natives with a passion for bringing their Qechua culture to life. Here are three Andean legends they translated so you can connect with their roots before experiencing the culture for yourself.
Children of the Sun
The Story of the Origin of the People of the Andes
Valicha: A Tale of My Mother's Famed Chicha Brewery in the Andes Mountains
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