Travel Blog
Expert tips, destination guides, and stories from our adventures across South America. Get inspired for your next journey.
One Day Hike to Hidden Waterfalls and Unknown Inca Ruins in the Sacred Valley
When covid closed down all the archaeological sites in Peru, including Machu Picchu, for almost a year, our local, nature-loving tour guides headed to the mountains every chance they could. This is how they stumbled on this amazing hike to hidden waterfalls and a remote complex of ancient Inca ruins. Families and activ
How to Extend Your Visit to Machu Picchu Ruins
If a one-day trip to Machu Picchu seems like it's over too quickly for you, there's nothing wrong with extending your visit for another day. Here's my perspective on why I think 2 days are better than one. It's a long way to go to get to the middle of the Andes Mountains, only to turn around and go back the same day. U
Changes to Machu Picchu Entry Tickets in 2024
Starting June 1, 2024 there will be major changes to all the circuits at Machu Picchu. So much is going on, we wrote up an entire new post. CLICK HERE
What's the Difference Between Machu Picchu Upper and Lower Circuits?
Many travelers heading off to explore the celebrated Machu Picchu ruins, are under the impression that their trip can be enhanced by buying entry tickets for more than one circuit. With 10 new one-way circuits to choose from, there is the impression that each circuit is different from the others and each circuit provid
Are All the Circuits at Machu Picchu Different?
Here's what you need to understand about the 10 circuits at Machu Picchu. There are people buying entry tickets to different circuits thinking they will see something different on each one. The old Machu Picchu website still has the best map tool on the internet to get a visual perspective of what I'm talking about.
Machu Picchu Update: One Ticket One Entry
"One and done." Each entry ticket entitles the holder to enter Machu Picchu one time. And now there are more changes to circuits that started on June 1, 2024. CLICK HERE to find out more about those changes.
What to Know About Buying Machu Picchu Tickets Online
Let me explain to you about booking your trip to Machu Picchu. We're hearing from people who bought entry tickets from a ticket distributer or tour operator, only to encounter poor customer service. and slow, or no response to their followup emails or calls. Several travelers reported that they did not receive their en
Why you can't drive a rental car to Machu Picchu
Every year someone asks me about renting a car during their trip to Machu Picchu in Peru. When it comes to traveling independently, we Americans first think of self-driven vehicles. We think renting a car will give us freedom, flexibility & independence on our trips. Like it does at home. Although I'm an avid proponent
How Many Days Should You Spend in Machu Picchu?
After traveling sometimes several days by air, train, bus and even on foot to get to Machu Picchu, you want to make sure you have enough time to visit and explore the ruins. Most visitors exert a great deal of effort, not to mention expense, to get to the middle of nowhere in the Andes Mountains. How much time should y
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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