Shamanism goes back thousands of years in Peru. Shamans serve as mediators between the spiritual and material worlds. They use their abilities to predict the future, heal physical […]
Our Peru Adventure: Train Ride to Puno
We celebrated my birthday on the Andean Explorer train, a 10-hour ride through the high Andes (elevation 13,975 feet). This is a luxury train that looks like a living […]
How to Prepare for the 1-day Inca Trail
If you have limited time in Peru, the 1-day Inca Trail is a great alternative to the 4- or 5-day hike. The 1-day version gives you a taste […]
Spanish Immersion Trip to Peru
Several years ago in an attempt to improve my halting Spanish, I participated in a two-week immersion program in Costa Rica. I wrote on my program application that […]
Why a Self-Guided Tour Isn’t Worth It
On my last trip to Peru, the line snaking to the LAN counter to check in for my flight seemed endless. I found myself eavesdropping on my fellow […]
When to Book Your Machu Picchu Tour
I am currently organizing a trip to Peru for 10 people. They want to participate in the Inti Raymi celebration next June. It will be during the height […]
What to Do If You Lose Your ATM Card on Vacation in Peru
When I flew to Peru last February, I immediately lost my ATM card at the airport in Lima. I was so tired I forgot that the ATMs in […]
What is the Inti Raymi Festival in Cusco Peru?
During the Inca Empire, the Inti Raymi festival was one of the most important ceremonies celebrated in Cusco and one of the unhappiest for llamas. Llamas were sacrificed […]
What Happens If You Get Hurt on the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is a 4-day, 26-mile odyssey that involves summiting two 14,000-foot mountains. Not everyone who starts this epic adventure is able to finish it. In fact, […]
Visiting Machu Picchu by Train
I had dinner with a friend a few weeks ago. She mentioned that she and her husband are both interested in seeing Machu Picchu one day. They were […]