Explorer's Journal: Journey to Machu Picchu with Destination Expert Melissa

Join SA Expeditions Destination Expert Melissa and her mother, Cindy, as they journey through the Peruvian Andes, exploring the history, culture, and landscapes of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.

Hello from Cusco! I’m Melissa, a Destination Expert with SA Expeditions. Originally from Michigan, I’ve spent the last eight years living between Lima, Paris, and now Amsterdam. I headed back to Peru this May to experience the magic of the Peruvian Andes with my dear mom, Cindy, by my side. Follow along as we explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley on our way to Machu Picchu!  

From Lima to Cusco

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Exploring Lima with my mom before embarking to Cusco and settling in to our hotel. (Photos: Melissa Dreffs)

We had some free time in Lima before our flight, so we visited the Huaca Pucllana, a clay and adobe pyramid in the Miraflores district. Construction began around the year 200 AD, and is a great reminder of Peru’s rich pre-Columbian history.  

In the afternoon, we flew from Lima to Cusco, which is only about an hour in the air. Heading from sea level to over 11,000 feet above sea level can take its toll, so we took the day to acclimate. Upon arrival, our SA Expeditions guide and driver picked us up at the airport and took us to our hotel, Tierra Viva San Blas. We ate a light dinner at Pachapapa and got a good night’s sleep, ready to kick off our adventure through the Andes. 

Tour of Cusco

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Visiting a local weaving center. (Photo: Melissa Dreffs)

This morning, our guide Miguel picked us up at 9 AM for our Cusco city tour. We began by heading up to Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Incan archaeological site overlooking the city. The stonework is fascinating, with some stones weighing over 100 tons. The stones fit together like a giant puzzle, with each stone shaped to fit its neighboring stones perfectly. Not even a sheet of paper could fit between them!  

On our way back down to town, we stopped by a local weaving center to see the four camelids of the Andes: llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas.  

Back in central Cusco, we visited Qoricancha, once the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The original Inca foundations remain, beautifully contrasted with the colonial architecture of the Santo Domingo convent built on top. 

We ended our tour with a visit to Cusco’s Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas. Though photography isn’t allowed inside, the cathedral’s intricate woodwork, colonial paintings, and grand altars are truly stunning and best experienced in person. 

Peruvian Cuisine and Cooking Class

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Preparing classic Peruvian dishes in the Marcelo Batata Cooking Class. (Photos: Melissa Dreffs)

Today was all about diving into one of Peru’s greatest treasures: its cuisine. Peru has earned international acclaim as a culinary powerhouse, winning the World’s Leading Culinary Destination nearly every year since 2012. In fact, in 2024, a Peruvian restaurant took home the title of World’s Best Restaurant for the first time! While Peruvian gastronomy is growing on the global stage, we were lucky to experience it right here at the source.  

This afternoon, we took the Marcelo Batata Cooking Class, a hands-on culinary experience that went far beyond just cooking. We began with an engaging introduction to Peru’s rich agricultural history and biodiversity. Did you know the country is home to more than 3,000 varieties of potatoes? 

We then rolled up our sleeves and prepared a variety of classic dishes. From ceviche with fresh fish and lots of lime to shaking up our own pisco sours and chilcanos, we immersed ourselves in Peru’s bold flavors. The class wrapped

up with a sizzling lomo saltado, stir-fried over an open fire in the professional kitchen. 

Exploring the Sacred Valley

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Standing in front of my favorite archaeological site, Moray. (Photo: Melissa Dreffs)

Greetings from the Sacred Valley of the Inca! Today was packed with breathtaking mountain landscapes, ancient ingenuity, and a peaceful evening under the stars.

We started our day with a visit to Moray, my personal favorite archaeological site. These perfectly circular terraces served as an agricultural laboratory, where the locals experimented with growing crops at different altitudes and microclimates. Standing there, surrounded by sweeping mountain views, you can’t help but admire their ingenuity.

Next, we made our way to the Maras salt flats, a stunning patchwork of thousands of salt pools cascading down the mountainside. Harvested by hand since pre-Inca times, the salt glistens in the sun and makes for an unforgettable sight (and a fun souvenir to bring home!)

We then headed to our hotel for the night, the Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, tucked in the heart of the valley. Each casita features a private terrace with views of rolling hills and distant peaks. As twilight fell, we met the hotel’s guide who led us on a short twilight walk around the property. He pointed out the Southern Cross constellation, only visible from the Southern Hemisphere, glowing above us in the clear Andean sky. A magical end to a perfect day.

Immersion in traditional Andean Life

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Learning about daily life in the Andes with a local Quechua family. (Photo: Melissa Deffs)

Checking in from the Sacred Valley! This morning, we had the privilege of visiting a local Quechua family’s home, an experience that offered a heartfelt glimpse into traditional Andean life. Teofela, Matias, and Jesuita graciously welcomed us into their home, where they shared their customs, daily routines, and deep connection to the land.

We learned about their farming practices from Matias, tried their traditional cooking techniques, and met their animals—including over 30 guinea pigs, which play an important role in both cuisine and culture here. Teofela showed us the traditional way of making canchita, toasted corn in a ceramic pot over an open fire and uchucuta, a sauce made of local chili peppers and herbs with their stone batán, which we used to grind the ingredients together. Jesuita showed us her beautiful weaving, explaining the intricate patterns passed down through generations.

In the afternoon, we explored the impressive Ollantaytambo fortress, a remarkable Inca site with massive stone terraces and panoramic views of the valley.

We wrapped up the day with a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. After checking into the El MaPi hotel, we settled in for a restful night, excited for what tomorrow holds: our long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu!

Exploring Machu Picchu

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Experiencing the wonder of Machu Picchu with my mom! (Photo: Melissa Dreffs)

The big day finally arrived: we are heading to Machu Picchu! We caught the bus bright and early around 6 AM, winding our way up the misty mountainside to the gates of the legendary Inca citadel. When we arrived, the site was wrapped in clouds, creating a mystical atmosphere that made the whole place feel otherworldly. Given that Machu Picchu sits within the cloud forest, this ethereal scene was no surprise, but it made the first glimpses of the site all the more magical.

We waited patiently and were rewarded. Around 9 AM, the clouds began to lift, slowly revealing Machu Picchu in bits and pieces, until we saw it in all its glory. It truly took our breath away.

As we explored the site, our guide Miguel shared fascinating stories and facts about the Incas, their engineering feats, and the spiritual significance of this incredible place. Every corner seemed to hold a secret. One especially amazing detail? The Incas built Machu Picchu without the use of mortar, yet the stones fit together so precisely that not even a blade of grass can slide between them. Their engineering has withstood centuries of earthquakes and weather, a true testament to their skill.

After our unforgettable visit, we made our way back to Cusco for one last night in the Andes, still buzzing from our visit to one of the world’s most iconic and awe-inspiring places.