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I know many of you have been waiting (very patiently!) for part two of my South American adventure. After the response to my first blog—and hearing from so many of you, plus helping a few of you lock in your own trips—I couldn’t wait to share what came next.

So, where did I head after leaving Ecuador? Peru.

This country has been on my wish list for years and, if I’m being honest, it’s because of those bucket-list names we all hear about—Machu Picchu, Cusco and Puno. I’m happy to report that none of them disappointed. But what really surprised me was just how much of a highlight the food was once again.

We started in Lima with just one night, but we made it count. We managed to secure a last-minute private evening food tour through Miraflores, and it ended up being the perfect introduction to Peru. Our guide Amy was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable, and it felt like we were being shown the city through a local’s eyes. We tasted multiple versions of ceviche, a variety of meats and potatoes (I had no idea there were so many!), and of course enjoyed a few pisco sours along the way. It wasn’t just about the food—it was about understanding the culture, and it set the tone for the rest of the trip.

The next morning we flew to Cusco, where we were warmly greeted by the team from Chimu Adventures before making our way into the breathtaking Sacred Valley. We stayed in the small town of Yucay at Sonesta Posadas del Inca Sacred Valley Yucay, a beautiful former convent that was full of charm and history. It was easily one of my favourite stays of the entire trip—peaceful, authentic, and perfectly located to explore the valley.

From here, we explored a number of incredible Incan sites including Pisac, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa and Kinchiracay. Each location gave a deeper appreciation of how advanced the Incas were, particularly in how they worked with the land and their surroundings.

One of the most anticipated parts of the trip came next as we made our way to Ollantaytambo to board the 360 Machu Picchu Train. This journey alone is something I would highly recommend—the panoramic windows, stunning scenery, and even a bit of onboard entertainment made it feel like part of the experience rather than just a transfer.

Arriving into Aguas Calientes, we dropped our bags and headed straight for the bus up to Machu Picchu. The drive itself is not for the faint-hearted, with narrow roads and sharp turns, but our driver handled it like a pro. And then, you arrive… and it’s hard to put into words. Seeing Machu Picchu in person is every bit as impressive as you imagine—if not more. Surrounded by misty mountains and steeped in history, it really does live up to its reputation as one of the wonders of the world.

We were lucky enough to have a private guide, Edwin, who brought the entire site to life with his knowledge and passion. I can’t stress enough how worthwhile a private guide is here. While we watched large group tours navigating the site in packs of 40 or 50, we were able to move at our own pace, slip into quieter spaces, and really take it all in—plus get those photos without the crowds.

After a hot afternoon exploring, we returned to Aguas Calientes to freshen up before wandering through the town. It’s a unique little place, with a train line running straight through it and a strong tourist focus. There are plenty of restaurants and shops, but it’s definitely where you notice prices creeping up a bit.

From here, we made our way back toward Cusco, stopping along the way at Maras Salt Mines and Moray. Both were fascinating in their own way—Maras with its thousands of salt pools cascading down the mountainside, and Moray showcasing what is believed to be an advanced Incan agricultural laboratory.

Cusco itself was the central point of my trip, as I was attending the Skål International World Congress. It was such a great opportunity to connect with tourism colleagues from around the world, and I did enjoy exploring the city with them. One of my standout experiences here was a cooking class with Marcelo Batata Cooking Class, where we learned to make pisco sours, ceviche, and lomo saltado. It was one of the best cooking classes I’ve done—fun, interactive, and delicious.

That said, Cusco was probably my least favourite stop overall. While the architecture is beautiful and there are some fantastic restaurants and shops, it does feel very tourist-heavy. The steep, narrow streets make it a bit challenging to get around, and the constant invitations from shop and restaurant staff can be a little overwhelming. If I’m honest, I probably wouldn’t stay as long next time unless I had a specific reason to be there.

Our final stop in Peru was Puno, which I had been looking forward to the most. We travelled there by tourist bus from Cusco, which took around 10 hours but included stops in Pucara and Andahuaylillas Church, making the journey feel much more manageable.

At over 3,800 metres above sea level, Puno is definitely a place where you need to slow down. We took it easy on the first night, enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, before heading out the next day to explore Lake Titicaca.

This day was everything I love about travel. We visited Taquile Island, where locals still live by traditions that have been passed down for generations, before continuing to Santa Maria-Llachon for a traditional Pachamanca lunch—food cooked underground using heated stones. Our final stop was Uros Ccapi, one of the last authentic floating islands. Seeing how people live here on a daily basis was incredibly humbling and really puts things into perspective.

Overall, we spent two weeks in Peru and it still didn’t feel like enough time. There are so many more places I’d love to explore, and next time I would definitely build in a bit more downtime. Moving constantly from one place to the next doesn’t always allow you to fully enjoy the beautiful hotels or simply take a moment to soak it all in.

Peru is a destination that truly delivers—rich in history, culture, landscapes, and incredible food. It’s vibrant, fascinating, and at times a little challenging, but that’s all part of what makes it so memorable.

And just when I thought the adventure couldn’t get any better… next up, Bolivia.