I had dreamt of trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for some time now. Hiking in the footsteps of the Incas to the mysterious city hidden in the clouds sounded like a fascinating and challenging experience. While there were many memorable moments from my trip to Peru: learning about the exotic biodiversity of the Amazon; strolling through the charming city of Cuzco; swimming in the freezing waters of Lake Titicaca – the highlight of the trip was still Machu Picchu. From our amazing team of porters and chefs, to listening to ghost stories and playing endless rounds of cards; conquering rocky Inca steps to nearly being run over by a llama – the whole experience is now embodied in that classic shot of Machu Picchu.

Cathedral in Plaza de Armas, Lima

Cathedral in Plaza de Armas, Lima

Changing of the guards at Palacio de Gobierno, Lima

Riot cop outside Palacio de Gobierno, Lima

Beef Hearts, Lima, Peru

Parque del Amor, Miraflores, Lima

view from Miraflores, Lima

Rio Tambopata, Amazon

Rio Tambopata, Amazon

Hoatzin or “stinky bird”, Rio Tambopata, Amazon

Saddleback monkey, Amazon

Capo tree, Amazon

Guinea pig, Cuzco, Peru

Cuzco

Plaza de Armas, Cuzco

“Big Bad Wolf”, Cuzco

Plaza de Armas, Cuzco

“Sacred Spinning”, Chinchero, Sacred Valley of the Incas

“These Hands”, Chinchero, Sacred Valley of the Incas

“The Skin I’m In”, Chinchero, Sacred Valley of the Incas

Corn beer, Chinchero, Peru

Stone oven pizza, Ollantaytambo, Peru

“Night rider”, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Land of the Incas

Ayapata to Dead Woman’s Pass, Inca Trail

Ayapata to Dead Woman’s Pass, Inca Trail

Ayapata to Dead Woman’s Pass, Inca Trail

Inca Trail Food by Chef Alex, Peru

“Stories”, Sayaqmarka, Inca Trail

“Spirits”, Inca Trail

Sacred river of Urubamba, Inca Trail

“Llama views”, Inca Trail

Intipata “agricultural site”, Inca Trail

Last night on the Inca Trail

Cake on the Inca Trail, Peru

Sayaqmarka, Inca Trail

“Parting”, Sayaqmarka, Inca Trail

“Classic shot”, Machu Picchu

“Crumbled in the Clouds”, Machu Picchu

Temple of the Seven Rainbows, Machu Picchu

East agricultural sector, Machu Picchu

“Pastel Puma”, Cuzco

“Green with Envy”, Cathedral, Cuzco

“A New Day”, Cathedral, Cuzco

Jesus Maria church, Cuzco

La Merced church, Cuzco

“Crossing”, Cuzco

“Hanging Out”, Cuzco

“Through the Blue”, Cuzco

“Writing on the Wall”, Cuzco

“Cats in the Cradle”, Cuzco

“Sidestop”, en route to Puno

Floating islands of Uros, Lake Titicaca

“Reeling”, Santa Maria, Uros, Lake Titicaca

“Left”, Santa Maria, Uros, Lake Titicaca

“Heavy”, Capachira Peninsula, Lake Titicaca

“Awakening”, Capachira Peninsula, Lake Titicaca

“Chores”, Capachira Peninsula, Lake Titicaca

Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca

“Breaking barriers”, Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca

“Shadow”, Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca

Grilled Trout, Taquile, Peru

“Pick A Side”, Peru/Bolivia border