Explorer’s Journal: A Mother-Daughter Adventure through Peru with SA Explorer Cam

Adventure through Peru with SA Explorer Cam and her mom! From the ancient streets of Cusco and sacred Inca sites tucked into the mountains, Peru stuns with its culture, history, and landscapes at every turn. Join them as they share the moments, meals, and memories that made this journey through the Andes one for the books. 

Hi friends – SA Explorer Cam here with my mom, on the ground in magical Peru! We’ll be diving into everything from colorful festivals in Cusco and high-altitude hikes along the Inca Trail to hands-on Pachamanka feasts and the culinary delights of Lima. Follow along as we explore the heart and soul of this breathtaking country—one step, one story, and one Pisco Sour at a time.  

Cusco Welcomes Us with History, Heritage, and Celebration 

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Soaking up the sunshine and the spirit of Cusco’s historic center. (Photo: Cam Kestner)

We kicked off our journey in the historic heart of Cusco. After a short flight from Lima, our private guide and driver met us at the airport and took us to our hotel. With some time to explore on our own, we set out to discover Cusco on our free day! 

June is an especially exciting time to visit Cusco, as the city celebrates its foundation and rich Inca heritage all month long. The streets are alive with color—Cusco’s rainbow-striped flag is hung proudly throughout the city—and the energy builds toward Inti Raymi on June 24, also known as the Festival of the Sun. We wandered through the historical district, eventually making our way to the Plaza de Armas, where we caught vibrant parades, music, dancing, and fireworks. 

One of the most fascinating parts of Cusco is its architecture. Many buildings in the historic center—especially around the Plaza de Armas and in neighborhoods like San Blas—feature Inca stone foundations on the lower half, with Spanish colonial structures built on top. When the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, they repurposed many Inca temples and palaces, constructing their own buildings on top of the Inca’s expertly engineered, earthquake-resistant walls. This blending of styles created Cusco’s signature “mestizo” architecture—a stunning fusion of Inca craftsmanship and colonial design. 

After a full afternoon of exploring, we returned to our hotel to rest and begin adjusting to the altitude—ready for the week of hiking that lies ahead! 

Walking with the Inca: Sacsayhuamán to Inkilltambo 

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From exploring the remarkable Inca architecture of Sacsayhuamán to meeting our friendly SA driver, every detail made this journey seamless and unforgettable. (Photo: Cam Kestner)

Today, we met our guide for the week, Marco! He and our driver, Freddie, picked us up from the hotel and drove us to our starting point: the impressive ruins of Sacsayhuamán. 

This ancient Inca temple was used to worship the sun and held deep spiritual significance for the Inca, who revered natural elements like the Earth, Sun, Moon, and Wind. Sacsayhuamán was reserved for royalty, and the scale of the stonework was jaw-dropping—some stones weigh over 2,000 pounds! Every structure had a purpose: some served as a lunar calendar, while others were used for ceremonies and rituals. 

Next, we drove to the Temple of the Moon, where we began our 2.5-hour hike along original Inca trails. Marco, my mom, and I hiked through stunning mountain landscapes, taking time to enjoy the scenery and learn along the way. Marco paced the hike to our hiking style, making sure we paused for water, snacks, and photos when needed. 

Our hike led us to Inkilltambo, a recently excavated Inca village that once housed terrace farming, ceremonial sites, pilgrim lodging, food storage, and more. It was incredible to walk through the remains of a once-thriving community tucked into the mountains. 

After wrapping up the hike, Freddie met us at the trail’s end and brought us back to our hotel, where we relaxed and recharged for tomorrow’s full-day trek. 

Trekking to Huchuy Qosqo: Ruins, Views, and Muña Tea 

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Big views, fresh air, and a chef-prepared picnic in the clouds. (Photo: Cam Kestner)

Today, our porter Flavio joined us, along with our incredible guide Marco as we took on the hike to Huchuy Qosqo, one of SA Expedition’s Great Inca Trail Day Hikes! We began our trek at the Yauricocha Mine and spent the first two hours hiking steadily uphill, soaking in the breathtaking Andean landscapes. From there, we continued along a beautifully preserved stone-paved Inca trail, passing the winding Urubamba River, remote mountain villages, and the occasional curious wildlife. 

After about four hours on the trail, we arrived at the stunning archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo. There, Flavio—who also happens to be our porter and talented chef—prepared us a warm mug of muña tea and a delicious lunch. The four of us sat together, shared stories, and got to know each other better. We're lucky to have both Marco and Flavio with us throughout our trip!  

Following lunch, we had some free time to explore the ruins on our own—perfect for a little mother-daughter bonding. From the top of Huchuy Qosqo, the views of the Sacred Valley were absolutely breathtaking and gave us a glimpse of where we’re headed next. 

We wrapped up our hike and met Freddie, our amazing driver, at the trail’s end. He drove us to our next hotel in the Sacred Valley, where we spent the evening relaxing and enjoying a traditional Peruvian dinner—Lomo Saltado (a stir-fry of beef, onions, tomatoes, and fries, typically served with rice)! 

We’ve been so impressed with how SA Expeditions has thoughtfully handled every detail—from coordinating our luggage transfers between hotels to providing a private guide and support team for the entire journey. Their expert planning allows us to focus fully on the experience, without a single worry. 

A Day of Andean Hospitality and Tradition 

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Learning, laughing, and weaving memories with our incredible hosts in the Sacred Valley. (Photo: Cam Kestner)

Our day began with a pickup from our hotel by our guide Marco and driver Freddie. We headed up the Patacancha Valley to the village of Pallata, home to the Laucata clan. Here, we were warmly welcomed into the home of Teofila and her family. 

Over a warm cup of tea, Teofila and the women in her family invited us into their daily lives. They showed us how they shuck corn grown on their own land, toured us around their home, and shared how they traditionally cook their harvest.  

After tea, we set out on a scenic hike while lunch was being prepared. Flavio—our porter and friend from previous hikes, who is also a member of this community—joined us for part of the route. After about an hour, he returned to help cook, while Marco, my mom, and I continued hiking toward the Pumamarca ruins, passing a waterfall, breathtaking valley views, and winding into the Chocquechaca Conservation Area. 

Once our hike wrapped up, our driver picked us up and brought us back to Teofila’s home, where the family had prepared a traditional Andean feast called Pachamanca—which means “earth oven” in Quechua. This special dish is cooked underground using heated stones, layering marinated meats, potatoes, herbs, and vegetables in a pit. It’s usually reserved for important gatherings, and we felt honored to share it with them. The flavors were incredible! 

After lunch, the women gave us a hands-on demonstration of how they create intricate textiles—including clothing, scarves, blankets, purses, and more—using traditional Andean techniques passed down through generations. Many of their beautiful handmade pieces are available for purchase, making it a perfect way to support the local community.  

Today was truly one of the most unforgettable experiences of our trip. Being welcomed into the home of an indigenous family and learning about their traditions, daily life, and deep cultural roots was both heartwarming and eye-opening. 

Find this full-day your here.

The Journey to Machu Picchu 

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Hiked through clouds, crossed ancient paths, and arrived at the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu—what a day! (Photo: Cam Kestner)

Our day began early as our guide Marco and driver Freddie picked us up from our hotel and brought us to the train station. From there, we took a scenic two-hour train ride to KM 104—the starting point of our Short Inca Trail Hike! 

We were joined once again by our incredible support team: Flavio, our porter and chef, and Marco, our guide—both of whom have been with us throughout our trekking journey in Peru. 

We had a big day ahead: an 8-hour hike to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku)—an unforgettable route that blends history, challenge, and awe-inspiring beauty. 

Our first stop was the Inca ceremonial site of Chachabamba, sitting at 7,380 feet. After taking in the site and catching our breath, we began our gradual ascent through lush, mountainous terrain toward Wiñay Wayna, an impressive archaeological site at 8,690 feet. Here, we paused for lunch, enjoyed sweeping views of the Urubamba Valley, and learned more about Inca history from Marco. 

After lunch, we continued along the semi-tropical cloud forest, winding our way toward the Sun Gate (Intipunku)—the iconic viewpoint where hikers get their first panoramic glimpse of Machu Picchu. 

Tired, sweaty, and smiling, we finally reached the Sun Gate. And just like that—there it was. Seeing Machu Picchu emerge from the mountains was absolutely surreal. It’s a moment that can’t be described—only experienced. We took about 20 minutes to take it all in, capturing photos and soaking in the once-in-a-lifetime view. 

We then hiked down closer to Machu Picchu itself, entering one of the four exclusive circuits within the site. The area we accessed—known for offering some of the most iconic, photographable angles of Machu Picchu—is only reachable by hiking the Private Inca Trail. It’s a more exclusive experience and, after 8 hours of hiking, completely worth it. 

After exploring and learning a bit of history from Marco, we caught the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We spent the evening relaxing at our hotel (and even treated ourselves to a massage!)—resting up for more adventures tomorrow. 

Standing Above the World at Huayna Picchu 

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Standing in the heart of Machu Picchu—soaking in the magic, the mystery, and the moment. (Photo: Cam Kestner)

This morning, our private guide Marco met us at our hotel in Aguas Calientes, and we walked together to the bus station. From there, we took a 30-minute ride up the winding mountain road to the entrance of Machu Picchu. 

One of the best parts of traveling with SA Expeditions is how seamlessly everything is taken care of. Marco handled all of our logistics—bus tickets, entry reservations, and tour timing—making the experience feel effortless and luxurious. We didn’t have to worry about a thing. 

We began with a private guided tour of the Incan citadel. Marco showed us the most significant areas of the ruins and explained how and why they were built. One of the most fascinating things we learned was how Inca architecture varied by class—royal structures were made with finely cut stones fitted together with incredible precision, while common dwellings had simpler construction. 

Next, it was time for our Huayna Picchu hike—a steep, challenging trek within the Machu Picchu archaeological site that offers dramatic views over the ruins and surrounding valleys. The hike takes about three hours round-trip and includes narrow paths and steep stone steps. As someone with a fear of heights, I was nervous, but with encouragement from Marco and my mom, I made it to the top—and the views were absolutely worth it! It felt like standing on top of the world. 

After our hike, we spent a bit more time exploring Machu Picchu before our entry window ended. We then made our way to the train station for the scenic ride back to Ollantaytambo, where Freddie, our wonderful driver, was waiting to take us to Cusco for the night. 

Today was our final day in the Sacred Valley, and we were sad to say goodbye to Marco, Freddie, and Flavio—our amazing support team who had been with us throughout the journey. Over the course of the trip, we became more than just travelers and guides—we became friends. Exploring Peru with them made the experience truly unforgettable. 

A Taste of Lima 

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Cheers to an unforgettable week—savoring our final day with pisco and Peruvian flavors. (Photo: Cam Kestner)

We were picked up at our hotel by Amy, our amazing guide for the day, and set off on a food-filled journey through the city. This tour includes a bit of walking and driving—and over 20 Peruvian dishes—so definitely skip breakfast for this one! 

We kicked things off at a cozy café with a cup of organic Peruvian coffee and a local breakfast favorite, Pan con Chicharrón (pork sandwich). Both were delicious! Amy told us this is a classic Sunday morning dish in Lima, often enjoyed with family. 

Next, we strolled through the charming Barranco district, known for its colorful streets and bohemian vibe. We stopped at Iglesia La Ermita, a historic church dating back to the 18th century. Though now closed due to structural damage, it remains an iconic landmark that once served as the heart of the district. 

After a bit of exploring, we cooled off with a milkshake made from lúcuma, a native Peruvian fruit with a rich, caramel-like flavor—a new favorite! 

From there, we visited a lively local food market, where we sampled five different native fruits—one of our favorite stops of the day! The vibrant colors, flavors, and stories behind each fruit gave us a deeper appreciation for Peru’s agricultural diversity. 

Then, it was time for a hands-on experience at a restaurant called Limaná. Here, we learned to make the classic Pisco Sour and took part in a fun and flavorful ceviche cooking class. So much fun—and delicious too! 

We wrapped up our culinary adventure with a stunning dinner at Huaca Pucllana, a beautiful restaurant nestled beside a pre-Incan stepped pyramid. Surrounded by ancient history, we enjoyed a curated tasting menu of elevated Peruvian dishes, including: 

• Chicharrón de Pollo 

• Papas Rellenas 

• Anticuchos 

• Lomo Saltado 

• Conchitas a la Parmesana 

• Quinua Bowl con Pollo 

• Picarones (Peruvian donuts!) 

• Sophia L'Orange Wine 

Every single dish was incredible—beautifully prepared, full of flavor, and the perfect way to end our time in Peru. 

Thank you for following along on our mother-daughter journey through this incredible country. Feeling inspired to create your own Peruvian adventure? Reach out to us today to start planning!