AmiLynn's Peru Trip Report

Her Peru trip report is chock full of delicious cuisine, authentic cultural encounters, adorable animals, and ancient manmade wonders. 

These are AmiLynn's Peru travel tips based on her recent journey through Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Cusco in South America.

What was your favorite experience?

My favorite experience while visiting Peru came in the middle of a full day exploring the Sacred Valley. I participated in a Pachamama (Mother Earth) ceremony with a mountain priest. We each committed three wishes to coca leaves and added them to the larger offering.

Once the priest bound our offerings, he blessed each of us individually. In a ceremony involving our heads, hearts, and bodies, he worked to remove all negative feelings and worries. The entire experience stirred me in unexpected ways.

We followed that cultural exchange with a “gourmet picnic,” which was actually a multi-course family-style meal served at a long table in a large tent. I will never forget that spiritual experience combined with an amazing, fresh-cooked meal in the middle of nowhere.

If people eat at just one place, where should they go?

I highly recommend ALQA at the Museo de Arte Popular Andino, nestled into the alleyways of Ollantaytambo Town.

We had a five-course tasting menu celebrating local produce and traditional flavors with local wine pairings. The courtyard environment was quiet and intimate. In addition, the menu was so balanced and creative.

There is also a small museum upstairs, curated with local art of the past six decades and run by a local anthropologist. 

If people do only one thing, what should they do?

Obviously, visiting Machu Picchu and climbing one (or both!) of the mountains.

The Inca Trail and the Citadel tour of course promise memorable day tours. However, the real views and vibes reside on the mountainsides of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. The companionship with strangers from all over the world as you all push and pull each other to the top is magical.

Plus, looking down to the valley from all of the angles and vantage points gives you a real sense of wonder and accomplishment. This is especially true when the clouds part and the mist clears and you can see how far you’ve come. 

Don't miss this experience...

If you take away one thing from this Peru trip report, it must be this... Give yourself the gift of the Hiram Bingham from Machu Picchu to Cusco. The departure lounge offers live music and a glass of sparkling wine. In addition, the stellar three-course meal includes a refreshing amuse bouche. The bar mixes a delicious Pisco Sour, and the house band in the lounge car puts on a heck of a party.

After a long day of climbing, sweating, and exertion, treat yourself to luxury and letting loose on the journey to Cusco.

One last thing...

I was so lucky to take a day trip to the Patacancha community atop a mountain in the Sacred Valley. This community lives a traditional Incan lifestyle, growing their own food, and weaving ancestral patterns into their homemade goods. Our host’s young son even met us about midway down the mountain to guide us to the family home. Then they presented us with traditional garments and hats to celebrate our arrival. 

After a cup of warm tea, we participated in the entire weaving process. This involved harvesting wool from the family’s alpacas and cleaning the raw wool with natural herbs that create natural soap.

Then we separated and spun the wool threads, and dyed the wool using organic materials from around their property. Finally, we sat around the mother’s loom to watch her work on an intricate design in a blanket. Meanwhile, the two younger sons ran around chasing each other and kept their piglets entertained.

It was such an authentic experience, and I loved visiting someone’s home and watching their daily lives. It was also nice to support them by buying their products straight from the source.

Put This Peru Trip Report to Use

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