Visitor Guide to the Best Machu Picchu Circuits by Tom Shearman on 2nd December, 2024 Travel Guide to the Best Machu Picchu Circuits Peru’s Machu Picchu is a dream destination. Most people only visit the Inca citadel once in their lives. Did you know ten Machu Picchu circuits crisscross the ancient ruins? This guide will help travellers choose the best circuit when visiting Machu Picchu. Find out the top attractions …
Know Before You Go: Peru Trekking and Hiking Travel Tips by Tom Shearman on 7th November, 2023 Peru Trekking and Hiking Travel Tips Peru, one of the most diverse Andean nations, offers a feast of trekking and hiking routes that showcase the country’s beauty. The Andes Cordillera runs the length of Peru. Its soaring peaks and satin-white glaciers frame many trekking routes as they course through remote villages, many unchanged since Inca …
Machu Picchu: Guide to Tipping & Porter Welfare on the Inca Trail by Tom Shearman on 16th January, 2023 The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the world’s most incredible treks, one which 200 keen hikers and 300 hard-working Inca Trail porters embark on daily. The four or 5-day hike over 28 miles/44 kilometres is a high-altitude walk past Inca ruins, soaring Andean peaks, and breathtaking views while walking on …
Visitors guide to Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain by Tom Shearman on 11th July, 2022 There are now three mountains to visit at Peru’s Machu Picchu Inca ruins with the opening of the Huchuy Picchu trail. The gentler elevations of Huchuy Picchu, which translates as ‘small mountain’ from Quechua, join Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain as hiking attractions with great views. Let’s look at the three options so you …
The Best View in Peru: The Sun Gate, Machu Picchu by Tom Shearman on 20th April, 2022 First impressions last, which is why the Sun Gate leading to Machu Picchu is such a highlight for people visiting Peru’s world-famous Inca citadel. The Sun Gate, or Intipunku in Quechua, sits around 290m (951 feet) above Machu Picchu’s elevation, offering unparalleled views of the ruins some two kilometres away. Spread out before the eyes …
How Long Is The Inca Trail? by Tom Shearman on 17th January, 2022 The Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the world’s iconic hikes. Very few walks can match its diversity, history, and appeal. Inca Trail trekkers enjoy cloud forest, sub-tropical jungle, and mountain passes with views of snow-capped Andean peaks en route to the famous Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. Orchids, condors, …
Not the Inca Trail: The best treks near Cusco and Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 14th January, 2020 The best treks near Cusco and Machu Picchu This week Kathy, co-author of the Bradt Peru trekking guides, takes us through what to do when the Inca Trail is sold out……. Inca trail permits sold out With the Inca Trail rigorously controlled through a permit system (500 a day) and constant high demand for this world famous …
Best South America Tours 2020 by Alan Lyall on 20th December, 2019 As 2019 draws to a close, we in the Andean Trails office are looking forward to a New Year filled with exciting and wonderful South America tours and adventures for our clients and of course ourselves! Kat is also returning in mid January after taking maternity leave. We have much to look forward to! …
All You Need to Know About Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 12th July, 2019 Our trekking and travel experts share our useful guide to the different Inca Trail tours available from Cusco, so you enjoy the perfect trek and visit to Machu Picchu. What is the Inca Trail? The Inca Trail is one of the world’s most famous trekking tours, a short but tough hike of …
2019 Machu Picchu – New visitor rules by Kat Dougal on 22nd February, 2019 Years of popularity and increasing visitor numbers have left a toll on the world famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. For a few years now authorities have been thinking of ways to limit the damage that millions of yearly visitors are causing to the site. After a first introduction of rules in 2017 regulating …
Lares Trek – an alternative to the Inca Trail by Tom Shearman on 13th October, 2017 Lares Trek Tom has just returned from trekking in the Lares Valley, in the surroundings of Cusco – and is happy to share fond memories…and check his Facebook photos, too. The beauty of the Lares Valley I can’t believe I’ve spent almost 17 years driving past these wonderful valleys and not known the beauty to be enjoyed …
The two-day Inca Trail km104 – the new hike by Kathy Jarvis on 30th March, 2017 The two-day Inca Trail km104 – the new hike Inca Trail trekking permits sell out faster than ever these days – we have a new two day hike to Machu Picchu to offer. Anybody travelling before September this year will again be disappointed to learn that they have missed out on permits for the traditional …
Moon Temple and Choquequirao by Kathy Jarvis on 25th February, 2016 Moon Temple and Choquequirao Director of Andean Trails and Peru trekking guide book writer, Kathy writes: ” There’s a lot more to Peru than the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. If you want to explore some amazing Inca sites, walk deep in the mountains, and get away from the crowds then two of my …
Moon Temple trek to Machu Picchu, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 13th August, 2015 Moon Temple trek to Machu Picchu Maria walks the Moon Temple trek in this week’s blog, and takes on the highest mountain pass of her life, in Peru. Check her Facebook pictures and a short video with a guide explaining ‘apachetas.’ She writes: “Quillatambo. Composed of two Quechua words, it perfectly captures this adventure trek, the Moon …
Amazing Peru: Walter Rhein’s inspirational book by Kathy Jarvis on 30th July, 2015 Walter Rhein´s inspirational book This week’s guest blogger, Walter Rhein, shares his Choquequirao adventure, the inspiration for the multitude contained in his recently published book. ‘Reckless Traveler’ chronicles a vast array of Walter’s experiences from a decade of living in that most colourful of countries, Peru, from its food to its AK-47s. Walter writes: …
A day at Machu Picchu – guided tour & highlights by Tom Shearman on 9th January, 2015 A day at Machu Picchu – guided tour & highlights Machu Picchu. Peru. The Inca Trail. These ruins inspire people to travel and hike great distances to view a wonder of the world, crossing high Andean passes to reach the mysterious Machu Picchu. Nothing can truly prepare anyone for the moment you first fix eyes …
Luxury Train Puno (Lake Titicaca) to Cusco by Alan Lyall on 25th July, 2014 Train travel from Puno to Cusco Pick-pockets, chicken claws and dodgy toilets – Alan experienced a very different Puno to Cusco luxury train journey to that of thirty years ago. This classic luxury train journey can be incorporated into many of our Peru trips. Alan writes: “In the mid 80s, on a family holiday …
Naked ramblings by Tom Shearman on 21st March, 2014 Naked Ramblings Security is being stepped up at Machu Picchu – to prevent a rise in streaking tourists at the World Heritage site. Andean Trails’ Tom recalls his own Scottish naked winter ramble of a decade ago in his quest to raise money for charity. Have you ever met a naked rambler? Or stripped off at a …
Are you ready boots? Start walking… by Tom Shearman on 22nd November, 2012 The joy of walking boots Boots. My boots. Ten years we’ve been together, hiking through rain and hail and snow and, of course, the sunshine times. As a team, we’ve walked the Andes of South America – from the windy plains of Patagonia to the high, beastly flanks of 6,000m+ on Aconcagua and Chachani. We’ve …
