Timely Insider Information from an American Expat living in Peru
I understand the difficulty of planning a major international excursion. It’s not easy! You have to find a house sitter, dog sitter, save for months, plan for months, and deal with the hustle and bustle of daily life all the while. It is, in one word, exhausting. That’s why I wrote this travel guide to Cusco & Machu Picchu! The objective of this guide is to provide you with tips for staying safe, saving money, and having the time of your life. Traveling can be overwhelming. That’s why I am here. You just get the plane tickets and let me help you to take care of the rest.
I came to Peru on a backpacking excursion with a couple of friends and I never left. I have been living in Peru for a while now. I just can’t seem to leave. The geographical and cultural diversity never cease to amaze me.
Perhaps you would think that the charm of the area would fade or wear off entirely, but honestly, my fascination with this Southern country only continues to grow. I feel like my cultural appreciation and understanding, are only just beginning to bud. As a writer, I am constantly listening. I want to hear the inside scoop. I want to take everything that I can learn and share it with the world. This area is a truly magical. There is so much to share. There is so much to see.
That’s what I have done in this guide, shared. This is a collection of my experiences and knowledge that I have gained through months and months of on the ground experience and cultural integration. The recommendations for restaurants and hotels come from both locals and travelers. The accounts of tours and museums are personal. I wanted to create something that wasn’t just useful, but helpful in the most authentic way possible.
So I hope that you brought a highlighter, because this isn’t your typical guide. I’m confident that there is a lot of information in here about language, locations and people that you won’t find in most guides! Why? Because there is no way of knowing it without being here.
Remember, this guide is personal! Throughout the book I’ve included personal anecdotes and stories from my own time here in the land of Inca mysticism. Of course I am happy to provide you with all of the facts and numbers, but I want you to get a taste for the true heart of Peru, the hospitality and fire of the people that drew me here, and ultimately kept me here, comfortably nestled in these mountains.
What This Guide Is Not
If you are just looking for a description of the sites at Machu Picchu and its full in depth history, look elsewhere. In this travel guide to Machu Picchu I focus on whats important based on my multiple experiences visiting the ancient site:
- Detailed commentary on the many different ways to arrive at the ruins, from trekking it solo to guided tours.
- How to stay safe and not get ripped off
- Tips on the best times of the day and season to visit
- Tips for budget travelers
- In Depth details on the Inka Trail
In this Travel Guide to Cusco & Machu Picchu you will:
- Get a peek into numerous treasures of The Sacred Valley, such as; Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Urubamba.
- You will also become intimately acquainted with one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, as well as the town that serves as a gateway to these famous ruins, Aguas Calientes.
- You will be familiarized with Cusco, perhaps the most famous city in all of Peru for its unique combination of Spanish colonial influences, backpacking culture, ancient Incan customs and language. Where to stay, eat and party, I cover it all.
- Additionally, I will provide you with information on some of the more hidden gems of the Sacred Valley, for those who wish to wander from the beaten path.
So put on a pot of coffee, sit back, and get ready to start planning
