8 Awesome Things to do in Aguas Calientes, Peru
The ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu is not only the most visited attraction in all of Peru, but also in all of South America. To visit the ancient citadel, travelers are required to first reach the tiny town of Aguas Calientes, located at the base of Machu Picchu mountain. Accordingly, many visitors spend a ... Read more
Machu Picchu Circuits: Everything You Need to Know When Purchasing Tickets for Peru’s Wonder of the World
Up until a few years ago, you could simply purchase entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, which is renowned as being one of the best preserved ancient Inca cities on the planet, and wander around almost all of the site without restriction. However, between restrictions imposed during COVID and to protect the site against the negative impacts of overtourism, you are now required to purchase a ticket to a specific “circuit” to Machu Picchu, which is a designated route that only provides access to certain areas of the site. Sounds confusing? It honestly kind of is. Not to worry, though—here’s everything you need to know about Machu Picchu circuits before purchasing your ticket to Peru’s Wonder of the World.
12 Incredible Day Trips from Cusco, Peru
Cusco is a bustling city, nestled high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, that’s a unique mix of Spanish colonial architecture and rich Inca history. While Cusco is worth exploring in and of itself, most visitors spend a lot of their time in this area outside of the city, experiencing all that the surrounding Sacred Valley and the Andes Mountains have to offer. If you want to dive into this colorful region for yourself, here’s 12 incredible day trips from Cusco to consider adding to your Peru itinerary.
10 day Peru Itinerary: From the Andes Mountains to the Amazon
Peru is a beautiful country, full of a colorful culture, a rich history, and some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet. There’s a LOT to do in Peru, but, luckily, you can pack in a lot of adventures, even if you just have a short period of time. Here’s the ultimate 10 day Peru itinerary to make the most of your time in this dynamic country.
16 Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu, Peru’s Wonder of the World
Machu Picchu, found in the Andes Mountains of Peru, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and draws more than 1.5 million visitors per year. This ancient city is one of the most well-preserved Inca cities, with temples, agricultural terraces, and over 150 buildings, and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But Machu Picchu isn’t someplace that you can just drive up to—you definitely have to do some planning to get to this remote and mysterious place. Here’s 16 tips for visiting Machu Picchu to help you make the most of your visit, from what kind of tickets you need to buy to what you wear to Peru’s Wonder of the World.
Visiting the Uros Islands in Puno, Peru: Is it worth it?
The Uros islands are quite interesting, with their location near Puno, Peru in the waters of Lake Titicaca, the largest navigable lake in South America. But the islands' uniqueness goes far beyond its location in this iconic lake—they’re actually manmade and constructed from Totora reeds, a vegetation found throughout this part of South America. You can actually visit these islands—and the hundreds of residents who still inhabit them—while visiting the city of Puno. But what do these visits consist of—and is it worth it? My husband, Justin, and I recently visited the Uros islands in Peru and can tell you exactly what you’ll experience on the tour, as well as whether they’re worth a spot on your Peru itinerary.
20 Incredible Things to do in Cusco, Peru
If you’re headed to Peru, it’s likely that you’re going to hit one city—Cusco. This city once served as the capital of the Inca empire and now acts as the gateway to Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca ruins that have been named one of the Seven Wonders of the World. While most travelers base themselves in Cusco to visit Machu Picchu and the surrounding Sacred Valley, there’s tons to see and explore in this beautiful colonial city itself. So if you’re looking to dive in and experience this incredible city, here are 20 awesome things to do in Cusco.
Humantay Lake Hike: The Most Beautiful Day Hike Near Cusco
The Andes Mountains of Peru are known for their epic peaks, massive glaciers, and technicolor alpine lakes. The Humanity Lake hike, located about three and a half hours from the colonial city of Cusco, packs all of those features—and a LOT more—in one incredible day hike. But there’s actually lots of different ways that you can see and experience this trail. So here’s everything you need to know about the Humantay Lake hike, one of the most beautiful day hikes near Cusco.
Rainbow Mountain Hike: Everything You Need to Know
Rainbow Mountain (also called the “Mountain of Seven Colors” or “Vinicunca” in the native Quechua language), located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, truly lives up to its name, with colorful striations streaked across its slopes. Due to its otherworldly appearance, the Rainbow Mountain hike has quickly become one of the most popular day trips from the bustling colonial city of Cusco. But, due to its remote location, extremely high elevation, and the INSANE crowds that swarm the mountaintop, actually being able to enjoy your visit here isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Here’s everything you need to know about the Rainbow Mountain hike, from how to be safe on the trail to how to beat the massive crowds.
Laguna 69 Hike: Everything You Need to Know
Peru is known for its incredible hiking trails, but some areas, like the famed Andes Mountains around the city of Cusco, get all of the attention. But this is a HUGE oversight—the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, tucked away in northern Peru, boasts massive glaciers, more than 400 alpine lakes, and some of the tallest mountains in all of Peru. The Laguna 69 trail manages to combine ALL of those features (and SO much more natural beauty!) into one jawdropping day hike. So if you want to experience some of the best that the Andes Mountains have to offer, here’s everything you need to know about the Laguna 69 hike.