Machu Picchu

So, I went to visit one of the seven wonders of the world , Machu Picchu and got to pose using a Poncho. Being from Ecuador, the Inca culture is not new to me as we do share a lot of story between Peru and Ecuador but I was still in awe of how rich it is and how you always learn something new.

The trip was quite enlightening as a whole and also challenging as I had to deal with quite a bit from altitude sickness. (Vinicunca was a high as 5000 meters, that is tough for someone born and raised at sea level )

Downsides? The place has been hit hard by overtourism for years—so many visitors every day that the trails and ruins are literally wearing away. Local authorities are now warning people to hold off visiting for a while to help preserve what’s left. Some travel guides even put Machu Picchu on their “blacklist” of places tourists should skip for now.

On top of that, a word of advice: be really careful with what you eat while you’re there. I ended up with a nasty case of food poisoning that knocked me out for days—definitely not the souvenir I wanted to bring back!

So if you’ve got Machu Picchu on your bucket list, do your research before going. It’s an incredible place and I do recommend it—but expect some over-flooding of tourists and getting charged for every little thing while there.

If you’re hanging out in Cusco and want to explore beyond Machu Picchu, there are tons of amazing spots nearby. Check out the huge stone walls at Sacsayhuamán just above the city, wander the ancient terraces and market at Pisac, or climb around the fortress ruins in Ollantaytambo. The circular terraces at Moray and the salt pools of Maras are super cool too. They’re all packed with history, usually less crowded, and still give you that awesome Sacred Valley vibe—without the full-on tourist rush.

See you later ;)