Exploring Peru: Machu Picchu and Other Amazing Places

• First-Hand Experience: Cruise.co.uk specialist Jo Cunningham shares her personal journey accompanying guests on our exclusive South America tour.

• The Lost City: Read Jo's account of the emotional climb to Machu Picchu as the clouds cleared to reveal the "New Seven Wonder of the World."

• Cultural Immersion: From the chaotic charm of Lima to sampling Pisco Sours in Cusco, discover the real Peru beyond the guidebooks.

Peru is a bucket list destination for many avid travellers. It is home to the legendary Machu Picchu, a vibrant local culture, and an abundance of natural beauty.

Cruise.co.uk specialist consultant, Jo Cunningham, got to experience the wonders of Peru for herself as part of our "Ultimate South America" Bucket List Collection holiday. This exclusive cruise & stay package includes a fully escorted tour of South America combined with an incredible 14-night cruise.

In this blog, Jo details her visit to the Peruvian leg of the package, including her unforgettable ascent to Machu Picchu itself.

A Journey of Reassurance

I was lucky enough to join some Cruise.co.uk guests on the Peru part of an Ultimate South America tour. Peru had previously been in a state of unrest and some tourist sites had been closed.

Whilst the troubles were over, we joined our guests in a purely precautionary move - to be there to offer reassurance and to be able to quickly rearrange things if the situation escalated again. Fortunately, everything remained calm and we all had the most amazing trip.

The Surprise of Lima

The tour started in Lima, a city that none of us knew much about and were all very surprised by. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Spanish colonial history is evident in an abundance of beautiful buildings.

It was the cleanest city I have ever visited, without a spot of litter anywhere, yet it is also a chaotic city, rivalling Paris and Rome for crazy drivers. The front seat of the bus is not for the faint-hearted!

Into the Sacred Valley

Moving on from Lima, we flew out to Cusco and transferred to the Sacred Valley, home of the ancient Inca people. With elevations over 3,000m above sea level, Cusco can cause altitude sickness and you can feel a little light-headed and sleepy on the coach.

However, Lima Tours use only local tour guides and their knowledge and enthusiasm was immense. In Peru, tour guiding is a serious profession; guides have to be university educated and qualified.

As we wound our way through the Andes, I learnt so much from our guide, Max, about the history and culture of the area.

The highlight of this day was the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. It is the only place in Peru that defeated the Spanish army and is a leading example of Inca architecture.

Now operated as a living museum, the town’s inhabitants cannot renovate their homes to modern standards; instead, they live as a community celebrating the Inca way of life.

Overlooking the town are the sophisticated stone ruins of the ceremonial centre. For the more physically fit, a 45-minute walk around the hillside gives amazing rewards with views of the old storehouses and across the town into the valley. Those unable to manage the steps can wander around the lower ruins, terraces, and colourful markets of Ollantaytambo.

Waking Up in the Rainforest

The day ended with a train journey through the Sacred Valley, arriving at our hotel in Aguas Calientes in the dark. This gave way to my favourite morning of the trip when I opened the curtains and saw that we were in the middle of the rainforest.

The 'jungle', as it was referred to by the guides, was simply stunning. I have always wanted to visit a rainforest and now I was finally there. Unfortunately, there were no tropical birds or monkeys outside of my window, so I still have Costa Rica or the Amazon on my to-do list!

The tropical rain of the morning added to my enjoyment and, as we made our way to Machu Picchu, the clouds clinging to the trees were surreal. It was just like being in a movie. Machu Picchu can be reached via the 4-day Inca Trail, but for those with less time and energy, you can arrive by bus.

The Moment of Truth: Machu Picchu

There is a choice between two 20-to-25-minute walks. I chose the harder, steeper incline which involved a number of steps. The guides take it slowly, though, and the walk is broken up along the way to marvel at the view and learn all about the history of the Inca people and those who rediscovered Machu Picchu.

The steeper walk takes you up above the ancient ruins and the views are truly breathtaking. The rain stopped just as we reached the summit and the clouds cleared to fully display the magnificent Andes surrounding the World Heritage Site.

No amount of looking at photos could have prepared me for this sight.

The way the site had lain undiscovered for so many years, and the careful way that it has been preserved, makes it a masterpiece of architecture. With the backdrop of the mountains enveloping and protecting the area, it is clear to see why it was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

A Final Toast in Cusco

Our escorted tour ended with a stay in Cusco. This sprawling city, which has twice been devastated by earthquakes, offers a fantastic mix of the old and the new.

Once again Max imparted his knowledge as we toured an Alpaca farm and the Cusco Cathedral before being let loose in the city to buy souvenirs and sample the Peruvian delicacies: guinea pig (I didn’t!) and Pisco Sour, a delicious local cocktail (I did!).

Final Reflections

This tour truly was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The people of Peru are so friendly and welcoming, and the country has so much culture and history. I can confidently recommend this as a pre- or post-cruise tour.

The guests that I travelled with all had an amazing time. They had sailed around South America, stayed in Rio and Iguazu Falls, and seen so much - but the majority had booked their holiday specifically for the chance to see Machu Picchu. No one was disappointed.

Feeling inspired to follow in Jo's footsteps? Contact our specialist cruise consultants to book your ultimate South American trip, or take a look at our full Bucket List collection for more incredible holidays.