I have loved Peru since my first visit in 2013.

Coming to Peru and only seeing Machu Picchu is like going to Paris and only seeing the Eiffel Tower.

Yes, Machu Picchu is amazing but it’s not the only amazing thing in Peru. These blogs will help you plan a trip to Peru that includes beautiful places, delicious cuisine, fascinating cultural celebrations and time to experience how warm and friendly Peruvians are. I’m so excited to share my blogs and insider tips with anyone who’s interested in this fabulous country! Want to be notified of new blogs? Subscribe to my newsletter!

You’ll find all the travel tips you need to visit Peru in these blogs and in my travel app.

Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Return to Amantaní

How badly do travel agencies take advantage of the families on Amantaní Island? Here’s the rest of the story that I couldn’t fit in the Fodor’s article. The impact goes deeper than you could imagine.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Maras: the Salt of the Andes

At Maras, a salty spring has been channeled for hundreds of years into small ponds to evaporate the water and harvest the salt. Each pond is owned by a family and has been passed down through the generations.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Moray: the Greenhouse of the Inca

The Greenhouse of the Inca! Archeologists have found seeds and soil samples from all over the former Incario. This is likely where the Inca hybridized most of their crops.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

The Battle of Sangarará

The Battle of Sangarará in 1780 was Peru’s first triumph in the fight for independence from Spain. The Spanish recorded losing the battle to Tupac Amaru, though my research revealed that they erased Tomara Tito Condemayta, the woman who led the battle. Read more on the BBC

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Inti Raymi and the President of Cusco

Inti Raymi 2021 is the celebration of the Incario during the year of the bicentennial of Peruvian independence from Spain. Continued post-election drama also plays a big role in the ceremonies today.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Huacarpay Marshes

The Huacarpay Marshes are only an hour from Cusco and you can see dozens of species in the rainy season.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

The Monkey Temple

The Monkey Temple is easy to miss, since from the trail it just looks like a jumble of rocks. Get closer and you’ll see that the boulders have been carved with flat walls, tables and niches. Walk down through the stones and you’ll see the carved heart and snake.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

The Temple of the Moon

A short walk from the center of Cusco takes you up to the Temple of the Moon. A pre-Inca site, likely made by the Killke people, the top has been badly weathered by the centuries but the cave underneath is just as mysterious as when the Inca found it.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Mt. Ausangate

The four day trek around Mt. Ausangate takes you to 5,200 meters, 17,000 feet above sea level. You walk by colorful lakes, some with water so clear its turquoise in the shallows and black at the depths. Other lakes have milky glacial minerals making them shades or blue and red. You are with glaciers every day on the circuit around the mountain, walking near them and camping where you can hear and see avalanches. It’s a truly spectacular trek!

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail have reopened with new Covid regulations, after being closed for most of 2020. The global pandemic has changed almost every aspect of the visit and I was fortunate to be able to visit with my friends before the crowds return.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Pre-Inca Piquillaqta

The Piquillaqta archeological site was first constructed by the Wari people and later used by the Inca. It is about an hour south of Cusco.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Huchuy Q’osqo

The Inca ruins at Huchuy Q’osqo are beautifully preserved, easy to get to and never have the crowds of more well known archeological sites in the Sacred Valley.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Paracas & Islas Ballestas

A short trip to Paracas is perfect for both the National Paracas Reserve and the Islas Ballestas. You can see it all in a weekend!

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

Lares Valley Trek

This trek gave me my first intimate visit to traditional Andean homes in a spectacular mountain valley.

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Heather Jasper Heather Jasper

The Inca Trail

My two opportunities to hike the 4 day Classic Inca Trail left me in awe of the amazing architectural feats accomplished during the Incario.

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Cusco to Colca Canyon

Cusco is the most charming city, but it’s worth going to see the other cities in the area. Arequipa is beautiful and the Colca Canyon is another must-see.

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