My favourite travel experiences blend wildlife and culture—and Peru delivered both in abundance. After a week exploring the Amazon River, meeting local communities, and spotting incredible wildlife, we continued on to the wonder and mystery of the Lost City of the Incas: Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley.

Arriving in Cusco: First Impressions at Altitude

At 3400 metres above sea level, Cusco is home to almost 450,000 people, yet it feels surprisingly quaint. The airport is small and once you escape the parking lot traffic jam, the charm of the city unfolds. Streets are steep and narrow - some only allow one-way traffic so you hope that you are first there, otherwise you have to back up to let the other car pass.

We arrived midday and were greeted with a welcome drink of Coca Tea, a traditional drink believed to improve oxygen absorption and circulation at altitude. A short stroll from our hotel took us to a beautiful square with a church, shops and inviting restaurants tucked behind doorways and down alleys. We enjoyed steaming traditional soup in a quiet courtyard before continuing with slow walks to explore the area and allow our bodies to adjust to the thin air.

Sacred Valley: Culture, Community and Connection

The next morning, we ventured into the Sacred Valley, climbing higher and higher until we reached Cusco’s replica of Christ the Redeemer. Smaller than the original in Rio, it sits atop a hill with breathtaking views of the City.

From there, we stopped at a llama and alpaca farm, learning about the animals, feeding them and admiring the woven wall hangings, rugs and clothing created from their wool. Peruvian hairless dogs – bundled in little coats – added to the charm.

A highlight was the Women’s Weaving Co-op in a nearby village. We were welcomed with drumming and invited to watch the women wash wool using natural soap made from roots, create different coloured dye from various plants and spin the wool into yarn. Their llamas and alpacas were nearby and the finished textiles were stunning.

Our next stop was Huchuy Qosqo, a village of 65 families that operates a community restaurant. They served a feast - appetizer, salad, soup, main course and dessert all using produce grown in the village. It was delicious and perhaps intentionally sleep-inducing before our train ride.

We continued on to Ollantaytambo; a picturesque town that still uses the original 15th century Incan streets, stone canals and adobe homes. We didn’t have a lot of time in the town, but were able to stretch our legs and walk on the cobblestones, looking down narrow alleys to imagine how people would have lived centuries ago. Ollantaytambo is also home to the train station where we would begin the next leg of our adventure.

The Journey to Aguas Calientes

Boarding the train to Aguas Calientes (known as Machu Picchu Town) is an experience in itself. The train station is crowded, but well organized. Your ticket lists your train car and seat number and your name must match the name on your passport or you are not permitted to board. When your car letter is called, you walk from the station to the train accompanied by people in traditional dress, playing instruments and singing the whole way.

Onboard, staff in Incan attire share stories using knotted ropes—an ancient communication method—while the narration plays over the speakers. The 1.5‑hour ride winds through countryside with river views, rolling hills, and even glimpses of glaciers. The train stops periodically to let others pass, and tunnels add to the adventure.

Aguas Calientes exists almost entirely for visitors heading to Machu Picchu. Steep streets, shops, restaurants, and hidden sculptures make it fun to explore. Our hotel was high up, so we ate dinner in town before tackling the climb once.

The Final Leg – A Bus to Machu Picchu

Our day began very early in the morning, up at 5:00 to wash up and eat some breakfast, then check out of the hotel and meet our guide at 6:00. Even at that hour, the streets were bustling. Shops opening up, people walking around. We came around a corner and joined an already long line. Within 5 minutes, we looked back and couldn’t see the end.

Why was everyone lined up? To get from Machu Picchu Town to Machu Picchu, you could walk (there are stairs….a lot of them!) or you could take the bus. The line was for the bus.

Buses leave in a continuous loop and climb up and up and up on a narrow switchback road to the entrance to Machu Picchu. The drivers are very skilled and in continuous contact with each other as the road is not wide enough for two buses, so the drivers need to pause and backup periodically to let others pass. At last, we arrived!

Machu Picchu: Stonework and Awe

Machu Picchu reveals itself gradually. You begin walking through lovely hills and plants and stonework, then suddenly you round a corner and go up some stairs, turn to the right and there it is. Seeing it for the first time is indescribable. As we looked across the hills toward the site, it truly took our breath away.

We lingered at several of the viewpoints before climbing more stairs, stepping onto the actual Inca Trail, and entering the ruins.

The site is larger than expected, with terraces stretching everywhere. Among the terraces are buildings for various purposes but the most prominent are the Sun Gate, the Temple of the Condor, and the Temple of Three Windows. These are engineering marvels—perfectly aligned with nature and crafted without mortar. You can see evidence of past earthquakes in some places, yet the buildings still stand. Just incredible.

Rain arrived about an hour into our visit, giving us a firsthand look at the ancient drainage systems that still work flawlessly. Watching the site transform from sunlit to cloud‑covered was magical; low clouds can sink so deeply that visibility drops to almost nothing.

No photo or description can replicate the feeling of standing among the ruins. There is a spirituality to Machu Picchu that stays with you.

Practical Tips for Future Travelers

Book Early: Tickets to Machu Picchu come with specific entrance times and routes. Booking early ensures you get a good route.

· Route 1 offers the high viewpoint but can be obscured by clouds.

· Route 2, which we did, provides both the view and the chance to walk among the ruins.

· Route 3 skips the viewpoint but still allows exploration of the site.

Line up Early: Entrance is timed, and you must arrive with half an hour of your time. If you are more than 30 minutes late, you will not be admitted to the site. We had a 7:30 entrance time so left our hotel at 6 am to line up for the bus.

Use the Restroom Before Entering. There are no facilities inside - No food, no drinks, no bathrooms. The restroom outside costs 2 soles, and its worth every penny.

Pack a rain poncho. Machu Picchu rain is relentless. It soaks coats, pants, shoes and socks. A cheap rain poncho that covers you and your pack is a great option. And if rain is forecast, bring rain pants and even consider bringing some plastic bags to put over your socks or a change of footwear for afterward.

Additional Sites Not to Miss

The day after visiting Machu Picchu, we set out to explore more of the Sacred Valley, learn more about the local people and experience more of the history of the area. We started by visiting another weaving facility in Chinchero and admired the textiles made of llama, alpaca and vicuna.

Then we headed to a shop in Moray-Maras where we sampled chocolate made with salt from the Maras salt mines. The shop had a variety of different chocolates, as well as different grades of salt for cooking as well as other products made with the natural salts of the area. I had no idea how many different types of salt existed or all the things you can do with salt!

I highly recommend this tour of the Sacred Valley, including Moray and the Maras salt mines.

Moray – The Inca Greenhouse

Moray is termed the Inca Greenhouse. It is believed that lakes which had dried up were the starting point for the Inca’s work. On three distinct sites on the property, they created circular terraces going down to the bottom of what was once the lakebed. These terraces were likely used to experiment with crops and growing conditions.

The design used for these “greenhouses” creates temperature differences of up to 15°C between the top and bottom levels. Soil samples show the Incas brought earth from different regions to test crops at various elevations—an impressive example of their agricultural ingenuity.

Maras Salt Mines

Along the mountainside are roughly 4,500 salt wells owned by local families that have been in production since at least Incan times. A natural saline spring at the top fills the wells. Rocks are used to block or open various drainage channels for the spring so that different wells can be filled at different times. The water evaporates, leaving salt which is then harvested and sold. Each layer of salt represents a different purpose: kitchen salt, bulk salt or industrial and agricultural salt.

The mines are visually spectacular, and during peak season, about 1,500 tourists visit daily. During the rainy season, no harvesting takes place as the water becomes diluted, reducing the potency of the salt.

Why this Trip Will Stay with Me

Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu offered the perfect blend of history, culture and natural beauty. We met local people, learned how communities live today, and glimpsed how the Incas would have lived centuries ago, all surrounded by glacier topped mountains, green hills, cobbled streets and vibrant wildlife.

When we return from our travels, we always frame one or two favourite photos for our home. Machu Picchu will definitely have a place of honour.

If you’ve been dreaming of Machu Picchu but aren’t sure if it is right for you, explore my earlier posts, Why Machu Picchu has Been on my Bucket List for Years and 4-Day Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Itinerary. And if you are ready to start planning, I am here to help.

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Highlights of Machu Picchu, Maras and Moray

Let’s make your next adventure easy. Reach out anytime — I’m here to help you plan with confidence.

talitha@solderastravel.ca