Cusco

Every day spent traveling through Peru was magical. However, hiking Ausangate, the Rainbow Mountain was by far my most treasured memory. It was a challenging hike, and I genuinely feared for my life at times when I saw lightening crash right above my head and rain soaked me to the […]

Tickets To assure you will get into Machu Picchu, order your tickets online. You will have a few options available – a simple ticket to enter the ruins, or you can pick from two hikes, and the time slot for the hikes. How to get there The easiest way to […]

The town of Ollantaytambo is the last stop, where you catch the train to Machu Picchu town, or it is the first stop for some who plan on taking the Inca trail hike. Whatever your agenda is, make sure you get out and explore this amazing place. There are two […]

While I didn’t have time to fully explore the city of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, I did get to snag a lunch break. Descending into the valley town was a beautiful ride and there was a lot of action compared to the rural villages I had just visited. I […]

Precariously nestled into a steep cliff the Maras Salt Mines of the Sacred Valley are absolutely incredible. The Boleto Turístico does not cover entrance, but it is well worth the small fee ($2) to see the beauty of this place. The salt evaporation ponds have been in use since before […]

Variety is the spice of life, and we may have the ancient scientists who worked at Moray (meaning ‘dried corn’) to thank for that. Another spot on the Sacred Valley trail, these peculiar ruins are shrouded in questions and mild mystery. The agricultural terraces look like a Roman amphitheater, the […]

The first stop on our Sacred Valley day trip was the sleepy Andean town of Chinchero about 40 minutes away from Cusco, legend has it that the rainbow was born here. The main attractions here are a market (said to be more authentic, though smaller, than Pisac) and ruins. Free […]

While Machu Picchu is the best known of Peruvian ruins, Cusco is filled with a plethora of worthy sites to visit – perfect for days spent acclimating in the city. You can purchase your Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) as you enter a set of ruins. There are multiple ticket types […]

Up the hill and quiet, that’s just where I like to be. Our home base in Cusco was the San Blas neighborhood away from the bars and Starbucks below. Waking up to the view from my AIRBNB made each morning magical. Evening sunsets were pretty spectacular too. Here the buildings […]

The Incas are touted for their masonry and many of the attractions in Peru are based upon the ruins from the empire that were strong enough to remain today. One really impressive aspect of their architecture is the fact that it contains no mortar. Not far from the main historic […]

Experience local life, culture, and delicious food at the San Pedro Mercado [Cascaparo, Cusco, Peru]. The market is very authentic, while there were certainly some tourists around it isn’t geared towards tourists at all, this is daily life in Cusco. As you’re walking around be aware of your surroundings (like […]

The heart of Cusco can be found in its historic main square filled with grand architecture. Plaza de Armas is a sight you must see, with its beautiful ancient churches, flowerbeds, and intricate woodwork on windows and balconies. The statues and fountains are epic, there are plenty more to admire if […]

If you’re going to Peru, you’re going to Machu Picchu. If you’re going to Machu Picchu, you’re going to Cusco. Cusco is where you will get your transportation to Machu Picchu, but Cusco is much more than just a jump off city! It was the capital of the Inca Empire […]