Adventure lovers can have an absolute blast in a land so jam packed full of vast geological contrasts. For many Peru visitors their journey begins in Cuzco, the heart of the Inca Empire where most people spend the first part of their trip hiking past Inca fortresses, over stunning mountain passes on the way to Machu Picchu. A popular choice is to cycle through the Sacred Valley of the Incas where you can get up close and personal with local Peruvian wildlife, or sea kayak across Lake Titicaca to isolated reed island villages to spend time with indigenous families.
Highlights from the Jaguar 4 day Machu Picchu Trek via your choice of the Inca Trail or the Lares Trail to Machu Picchu. How to choose the right option for you.
Machu Picchu History and Facts
Machu Picchu is the quintessential destination on every South America travel bucket list. Machu Picchu's history is part fact and part enigma. There are many stories and legends surrounding its purpose. What we do know is that it was built as a palace for Emperor Pachacuti, escaped destruction by the conquistadores who failed to find it, and that is was discovered by Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911. Since then it has risen Picchu has risen to take the spot as of one of the world’s most famous and revered architectural and archaeological monuments. Read more about Machu Picchu below.
Museums and Sites to Visit from Cusco to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is certainly what most people consider the main highlight of a Peru vacation, but you can also enjoy an authentic taste of Peru away from the crowds, by visiting one or more of the many museums in the heart of Peru’s stunning Valle Sagrada (Sacred Valley). Formed by the Urubamba River, the valley is the […]
Huayna Picchu: How Fit Must You Be to Climb?
You've made it to Machu Picchu, and now you want to climb Huayna Picchu. How fit must you be to climb? Find our expert Huayna Picchu advice here. Also found near the summit of Huayna Picchu, the peak's famous "death stairs" are not quite as scary as some might have you think. That being said, they're no walk in the park either. Most visitors assume that the climb will be more intense going up, and the presence of this staircase at the start of the descent throws many for a loop. It's quite an extreme set of stairs, reaching an angle of over 60 degrees at some points. There's also no railing to hold on to, so we recommend a lot of caution when navigating this section of the Huayna Picchu descent.
Inca Trail Packing List: A Guide to the Essential Must-Haves
You've done it… You've finally decided to book your Inca Trail trek. You've most likely been planning for a while now: reading about various hikers’ past experiences, reviewing different tour companies, heading to the gym for the occasional leg workout, and Googling photos of Machu Picchu for inspiration. You stop for a moment to let the […]
Inca Trail vs. Lares Trail: How to Get the Most out of Your Adventure
As you plan your trip to Peru and to Machu Picchu specifically, you’re undoubtedly expecting the journey of a lifetime—and frankly, there’s a lot of pressure associated with that! There are many decisions to be made regarding your trip, and the choices can be overwhelming as you’re hoping to design the perfect experience for your […]