Stories & expert guides from Cusco
Real advice from a local team that lives and breathes the Andes — Inca Trail planning, Machu Picchu tips, packing lists, altitude help and the stories behind every trail.
Fresh guides and stories, published by our team in Cusco.
How the circuits work, how fast each sells out, and how to lock in your entry before it's gone.
Read article →The Plaza, Qorikancha, San Blas and Sacsayhuamán — what to prioritize in 24 hours.
Read article →Biking, rafting, zip-lining and hiking to Machu Picchu — the adventure route.
Read article →An honest look at the real risks, scams, solo travel, altitude and how to stay safe.
Read article →Peak dry season and Inti Raymi — what to expect, crowds, and how to plan.
Read article →Green season, the Santurantikuy market, fewer crowds and lower prices.
Read article →An honest short itinerary — what to prioritize and whether Machu Picchu fits.
Read article →At 2,430 m it's lower than Cusco — will you feel it, and how to prepare.
Read article →How to book the limited tickets, the difficulty, and what's at the top.
Read article →San Pedro, Pisac and Chinchero — what to buy and how to haggle.
Read article →The famous artisan market and the spectacular hilltop Inca terraces — how to see both.
Read article →The Inca fortress above Cusco — colossal stones, the mystery, and how to visit.
Read article →Once sheathed in gold, now beneath a colonial convent — Cusco's finest stonework.
Read article →The home of Andean weaving, Inca terraces and a colonial church on an Inca plaza.
Read article →Acclimatize, explore the Sacred Valley and visit Machu Picchu — day by day.
Read article →An honest comparison of cost, time, fitness and the arrival — to help you decide.
Read article →How fit you need to be, a week-by-week plan, altitude prep and the exercises that matter.
Read article →Safety, meeting people, costs and the best things to do in Cusco on your own.
Read article →The illuminated Plaza, rooftop dinners, live music, bars and stargazing.
Read article →Altitude, money, safety, food, packing and timing — all the first-timer basics.
Read article →The postcard view, the Sun Gate, the Inca Bridge and the best light to shoot.
Read article →The living Inca town and fortress, what to see, and the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Read article →A day-by-day 14-day plan — Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca.
Read article →Exactly what to wear by season — layers, footwear, sun and rain, and what to leave behind.
Read article →Altitude safety for children, the best family tours, and tips for a smooth trip.
Read article →The cheapest way to get there and where to save — without ruining the experience.
Read article →Is the wet season worth it? The upsides, the weather and how to plan around the rain.
Read article →What to order, where to eat, and how to eat well plant-based on the trail.
Read article →What it covers, full vs partial options, prices and where to buy it.
Read article →Views, difficulty and time for the two add-on climbs — and how to book.
Read article →Getting there, the bus up, where to eat and how long to stay.
Read article →Petty theft, altitude, taxis and simple precautions, from a local team.
Read article →The sol, where to get cash, card tips, tipping and a realistic budget.
Read article →The unhurried combo — Chinchero, Maras, Moray and the valley, ending at the citadel.
Read article →See the valley's highlights and reach Machu Picchu in two days — route, timing and tickets.
Read article →How the 2-day and 3-day routes compare, and which pace suits your trip.
Read article →The budget overland route — Hidroeléctrica, the railway walk and the Cocalmayo hot springs.
Read article →The scenic budget route through Santa María and the Cocalmayo hot springs.
Read article →Month-by-month weather, the February closure and how far ahead permits sell out.
Read article →A realistic guide to 5, 8, 10 and 14-day trips — what fits and what to skip.
Read article →Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, paced day by day.
Read article →How to combine Cusco, Machu Picchu and the rainforest — and how long it takes.
Read article →Living Andean villages, weavers and hot springs on the quiet route to Machu Picchu.
Read article →Altitude, difficulty, preparation and the famous Rainbow Mountain detour.
Read article →How permits work, how fast they sell out, and exactly when to book your dates.
Read article →Two legendary routes in one — glaciers, lakes and the Sun Gate, day by day.
Read article →Symptoms, acclimatization, and what to eat and drink at 3,400 m.
Read article →The tried-and-tested list we give our own guests — and what to leave behind.
Read article →Who the porters are, how welfare is protected, and how we look after our team.
Read article →Month-by-month weather, crowds and prices to plan the perfect trip.
Read article →Walk the final stretch to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, no camping — route, permits and fitness.
Read article →Distance, difficulty, permits and who each route really suits.
Read article →The Sun Gate without the camping — who it is perfect for.
Read article →Every realistic way to reach the citadel, compared.
Read article →Valley culture plus the Sun Gate, with a hotel night.
Read article →Crowds, altitude and scenery — pick the right one.
Read article →Two ways up to the same unforgettable ridge.
Read article →Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán and the ruins above the city.
Read article →A royal Inca estate hidden above the Sacred Valley.
Read article →The thousands of pink salt pools of the Sacred Valley — what they are, tickets and how to visit.
Read article →An Inca agricultural laboratory in the Sacred Valley.
Read article →Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras and Moray, explained.
Read article →Three remarkable sites almost no one visits.
Read article →Cusco’s newest striped-rock wonder, and its story.
Read article →A grass bridge rebuilt by hand every single year.
Read article →A dramatic twin-horned ruin far from the crowds.
Read article →Macaws, monkeys, otters and the magic of Manu.
Read article →Floating Uros islands, Taquile and Amantaní homestays.
Read article →The 4,630 m pass, Humantay Lake and the route to Machu Picchu.
Read article →The high pass and cloud forest in a shorter adventure.
Read article →Turquoise lake and a glacier pass, with a cabin night.
Read article →Two lost Inca cities linked on foot across the remote Andes.
Read article →The great expedition between two Inca citadels.
Read article →A full day at the lost citadel, at a gentler pace.
Read article →The lost city across the deepest canyon in the Americas.
Read article →Quiet highlands plus the Short Inca Trail and Sun Gate.
Read article →A short, scenic trek to Little Cusco and the citadel.
Read article →A quiet, rewarding day hike in the Sacred Valley.
Read article →Andean weaving villages plus the Sun Gate finish.
Read article →The most culturally immersive route to the citadel.
Read article →Cusco’s sacred peak, glaciers and colourful lagoons.
Read article →Rainbow Mountain the quiet way, on foot.
Read article →City, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with time to breathe.
Read article →Every essential of Cusco and Machu Picchu in a week.
Read article →The icons of Cusco and Machu Picchu, well paced.
Read article →A balanced five-day intro to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Read article →The must-sees and Machu Picchu, done properly.
Read article →The fast track to Machu Picchu for tight schedules.
Read article →The Andes grand tour: Machu Picchu and Titicaca.
Read article →Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca in eight days.
Read article →Uros, Taquile and an Amantaní homestay.
Read article →The lake’s two essential islands in a day.
Read article →Into one of Earth’s most biodiverse rainforests.
Read article →The Amazon in a compact three-day trip.
Read article →Dead Woman’s Pass, permits and the Sun Gate finish.
Read article →See the citadel in a day from Cusco by train.
Read article →The hike, altitude and how to beat the crowds.
Read article →A turquoise glacial lake in a single day.
Read article →Glacial lakes beneath Cusco’s most sacred peak.
Read article →Ticket types, circuits, Huayna Picchu and how to book.
Read article →What it covers, tickets and timing — and why it is the perfect first day to acclimatize.
Read article →Things to do, how many days, altitude tips and when to go.
Read article →Sample 3, 5, 7 and 10-day itineraries to plan your trip.
Read article →The three great treks to Machu Picchu, compared.
Read article →When the Inca Trail is sold out — permit-free options.
Read article →Dry vs rainy season and the best months to visit.
Read article →The Festival of the Sun and the year’s big celebrations.
Read article →Flights from Lima, the airport, and your first day at altitude.
Read article →Alpaca, ceviche, pisco sour and eating well at altitude.
Read article →Crowds, cost, altitude — and why it is still worth every step.
Read article →Layers, sun and altitude essentials, with a checklist.
Read article →A clear 2026 breakdown of tickets, trains, tours and budget.
Read article →Hidden history, Inca engineering and astronomy.
Read article →Routes, permits, difficulty, best time and how to prepare.
Read article →How to get there, tickets, best time, cost and train vs trek.
Read article →Rainbow Mountain, Humantay, the Sacred Valley and more.
Read article →Crowds, altitude and how to make the colours worth it.
Read article →A simple itinerary for Pisac, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo.
Read article →Historic center, San Blas or the Sacred Valley — a local guide.
Read article →From the Inca Trail to Rainbow Mountain, our local Cusco team can build the perfect Peru itinerary around the places you've been reading about.