The time zone doesn't change much from East Coast time, but getting to Machu Picchu first means getting to Cusco via Lima. And you have to be ready because things don't always go right....

It started with a 5 hour flight to Panama City, Panama, and then a 3.5 hour flight to Lima, where we overnighted at the Wyndham Costa del Sol. Not …

After flight issues, we arrived in Cusco at about 2 PM and were met at the airport by our guide, Alex. Not gonna lie, most bodies are not suited for life at 11,000 feet...

We spent the afternoon touring Corincancha, the former "golden courtyard" palace upon which a Spanish church now sits. We also toured the huge Cathedral at the …

Machu Picchu is the prize, but beautiful sights exist along the way in the Sacred Valley. The salt mines of Maras and the wide vistas of Moray will take your breath away...

To get to Machu Picchu, you first must travel on 4 wheels through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo to catch the train. Along the way there are tremendous sites to see - …

Ollantaytambo is a walk back in time - a town and fortress laid out as it was in the time of the Incas. And a steppingstone to Machu Picchu, just a 90 minute train ride away...

After touring the Sacred Valley, you will arrive in Ollantaytambo town / fortress. Site of one of the big battles where the Incans were able to hold off the Spanish …

Arrive early for a hike to the Sun Gate - entry point from the Inca Trail and a most doable family hike. Then get your adrenaline rush with a side trip to the Inca bridge...

After overnighting in Machu Picchu Pueblo, we decided to return the next morning for a hike. Machu Picchu tickets fall into one of two sessions - 6am to Noon and Noon …

Explore the San Pedro Market and the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, where you will also see Cusco laid out before your feet. End the day with museums and don't forget to try some cuy!

We were able to sleep blissfully late the next morning, when we did not have to meet our guide Alex until 9am. This was to be our last full day in Cusco :-( Alex …

Early wake up, breakfast, then homeward bound. You will realize Peru was not what you might have imagined it would be. It's much more...

Alex and our driver, Gonzalo (how can I forget Gonzalo?) picked us up at the hotel and took us to the airport at 630am for our long, 18-hour journey home. Alex went in and made sure we …