Nomadillo

Cusco, Peru
March 2024

The Sacred Valley leg of our journey ends here, in the heart of the Andes: Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco pulses with history, culture and a unique blend of ancient and modern.

Every street tells a story - cobblestone alleys lined with colonial buildings standing on top of Inca foundations, plazas that echo Spanish conquests and Indigenous resistance, and markets brimming with the colors and textiles of Andean tradition.

Cusco’s centerpiece, the Plaza de Armas, is surrounded by ornate churches like the Basilica Cathedral and the Iglesia de la Compañia, symbols of colonial conquest. Yet, it is also the site where Tupac Amaru II, the iconic Indigenous leader who led the largest revolt against the Spanish Empire, was brutally executed.

Beyond its historical sites, Cusco is alive with energy. By day, we explored some of its museums, shopped for textiles at San Pedro market and sipped coffee in some of its quaint cafes. By night, the city comes alive with restaurants, music and dances, becoming a melting pot of tourists from everywhere in the world, all here to experience the energy of what could once be considered the capital of South America.

Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru
March 2024

There's something spiritual, almost magical about the Sacred Valley in Peru!

After driving through miles of desert and rocky passes, we emerged into a lush valley, fed by the Urubamba river and protected by the Andes peaks. Many small villages dot the landscape, where the traditional Andean way of life has flourished for generations.

One of these towns is Ollantaytambo, one of the oldest continuously populated settlements in South America, and most preserved Inca village.

Here, many of the inhabited town buildings still preserve their Inca foundations and walls. The maze of cobblestone streets is lined with its original system of intricate water canals. And looking over the town, are the Ollantaytambo ruins: an impressive complex of agriculture terraces, leading to the remains of the ancient royal estate and the Sun temple.

Ollantaytambo is a living monument to the Inca empire's grandeur and advanced construction abilities.