Machu Picchu and Beyond: Discovering the Real Peru

The legendary Inca citadel at Machu Picchu is nothing short of iconic. Situated in the saddle between two legendary peaks of the Andes mountains, Machu Picchu is an architectural and cultural marvel—sporting scenic vistas of the Amazon River basin and the surrounding mountains. Constructed by Inca rulers in the 15th-century, Machu Picchu is renowned for its stunning array of stone structures, which blend seamlessly into the precipitous mountainside.

Among the many fascinating things about the mighty Inca Empire are both its brevity, and its recency. Ruling from the 13th-century until the Spanish conquest in the 1500s, the “Land of the Four Parts”, as the Inca Empire is officially known, was built upon many of the great accomplishments of prior Peruvian cultures. “The Incas left a very large impact, but Peru also had a rich history that came before them,” explains Country Walkers guest Eric Deziel—traveling with his son, Matthew. “On this adventure, we got to see tombs and other impressive structures that pre-dated the Incas. The temples, fortresses, and cities that were built in pre-Inca times were made from these incredibly huge blocks of stone. The engineering that went into building those ancient structures is truly impressive.” As you explore this rich civilization from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, you’ll begin to uncover many fascinating layers of Peruvian history and culture.

To understand the modern-day legacy of the Incas and their antecedents, your Peruvian Country Walkers trip leaders are perfectly poised to lead you on a deep dive into their native culture. “Our leaders, Boris and Sergio, were both born in Cusco,” explains Eric. “They told us about the ancient Peruvian traditions and major feasts—the rituals and recipes that go along with the holiday celebrations. Both leaders teach the ancient language of the Andes to their children—which is different from the older generations who really only spoke Spanish outside the home.” This newfound embrace of Peruvian ancestral pride is a wonderful opportunity for your Country Walker trip leaders to reveal Peru’s authentic culture.

From Coast to Cloud Forest: Peru’s Succulent Cuisine

Of course, no trip to Peru would be truly complete without a visit to Lima. Most flights to Cusco from the United States connect in Lima, so it’s very easy to add a Lima Pre-Trip Extension to the beginning of your adventure. “We did the Lima Pre-Trip Extension, and I’m so glad we did,” says Matthew. “It gave us a chance to acclimate ourselves to Peru before hiking—and it also showed us a totally different side of the Peruvian landscape along the Pacific Coast. It was pretty cool to see the ocean and enjoy some amazing seafood before we moved on to experience the Andes mountains.” Lima has an incredibly vibrant food culture—and you’ll find no less than three of the world’s top 50 restaurants among its colorful quays and cheerful promenades. Here, you might sample Peruvian specialties such as ceviche, crab meat empanadas, and native-grown quinoa, as well as Andean olluco (a potato-like tuber) and pastries made with cañihua dough.

If you love seafood, Lima is a must—but the Andean rivers hold other delicacies in store. “Once you get into the Andes, there’s literally no fish on the menu other than trout,” observes Eric. “However, Peruvian Andean trout is delicious and is served in many wonderful ways. You can try smoked trout, trout ceviche, spicy trout served with white beans, or a simple dish of trout grilled with garlic and lemon. One of my favorite Peruvian dishes!” Originally introduced to the region by American mining workers, the modern-day rivers of the Andes are rich with trout—a major protein source for the local people and a delicacy sought after the world over. With a flavor and texture all its own, the Peruvian Andean trout lends itself perfectly to many dishes—including the iconic trucha a la plancha, a dish of pan-fried trout, often served with fragrant herbs, mashed cassava, and local corn.

Of course, no trip to Peru would be complete without experiencing the iconic chicha de jora, or Peruvian corn beer. During your walk in the iconic Andean village of Ollantaytambo, you’ll enjoy a visit to a local chicheria where you’ll have the opportunity to sample traditional corn beer—and its colorful cousin, frutillada. “Personally, I liked the frutillada, or strawberry beer, the best,” says Eric. “It’s never cold—you’ll find it still fermenting in these large vats. They just dip a cup into the vat and hand it to you—it’s served warm. The strawberries give it a pinkish color, and the flavor is completely unique.”

Of course, corn beer isn’t the only wonderful beverage you’ll find in the Andes! The southern region of Peru has the perfect climate for growing grapes—and Peruvian vintages are truly exceptional. “Everywhere we went, we had the opportunity to pick between a Chilean, Argentinean, or Peruvian wine,” recalls Eric. “I always picked a Peruvian vintage. They were fantastic!” Here, you’ll find exquisite vintages crafted from local varietals—including Tannat, Quebranta, and Torontel.

Here Comes the Sun

One of the best things about this Peruvian adventure is the gradual increase in elevation—leading you through the Sacred Valley before approaching the mountainous reaches of the Sun Gate. “I was so impressed by the way this tour eased us into the elevation,” says Eric. “The city of Cusco is at 12,000 feet, which is already quite high. We arrived in Cusco, then took a shuttle to a lower elevation to start our first walk—and that really helped us get comfortable with the elevation gradually.” Although many people never experience elevation challenges, it’s important to take care of yourself during the adjustment phase—drinking extra water to stay hydrated and making sure to get enough sleep. With your first walk at under 8,000 feet in elevation, your body has time to adjust to the high altitude of the Andes before taking on more altitude.

There are two ways to reach the Machu Picchu monument from Machu Picchu village—by bus, and on foot. While you can choose either option, the climb to the Sun Gate is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. “The hike to the Sun Gate, involves a lot of elevation gain, but you also have tons of support,” recalls Matthew. “We had extra guides, plus a porter with the strongest legs I’ve ever seen! He brought along a full picnic lunch and snacks—and the food was just phenomenal.” While most visitors to Machu Picchu take the bus, the hike along the Inca Trail is not crowded—giving you ample opportunity to enjoy the quiet serenity of the cloud forest and spectacular panoramic views of the Andes.

When you arrive at the Sun Gate, the entirety of Machu Picchu is spread at your feet. “There’s something really spiritual about the Sun Gate,” says Eric. “When the sun pops up between these two mountains, you begin to understand that the sun was literally worshipped as a god by the Incas. That sunlight pouring through the gate would have illuminated their most sacred rituals.” As you explore the awe-inspiring vistas of Machu Picchu with your Peruvian trip leaders, you may find yourself giving thanks for the rays of sunlight that illuminate this scared space—and the hallowed ground that has brought inspiration to a proud tradition of intrepid travelers, like yourself.