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Name: Nomadillo
Address: Cusco, PE

Nomadillo, Cusco (2026)

28/11/2024

Cusco, Peru
March 2024

The Sacred Valley leg of our journey ends here, in the heart of the Andes: Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco pulses with history, culture and a unique blend of ancient and modern.

Every street tells a story - cobblestone alleys lined with colonial buildings standing on top of Inca foundations, plazas that echo Spanish conquests and Indigenous resistance, and markets brimming with the colors and textiles of Andean tradition.

Cusco’s centerpiece, the Plaza de Armas, is surrounded by ornate churches like the Basilica Cathedral and the Iglesia de la Compañia, symbols of colonial conquest. Yet, it is also the site where Tupac Amaru II, the iconic Indigenous leader who led the largest revolt against the Spanish Empire, was brutally executed.

Beyond its historical sites, Cusco is alive with energy. By day, we explored some of its museums, shopped for textiles at San Pedro market and sipped coffee in some of its quaint cafes. By night, the city comes alive with restaurants, music and dances, becoming a melting pot of tourists from everywhere in the world, all here to experience the energy of what could once be considered the capital of South America.

28/11/2024

Cusco, Peru
March 2024

Before stepping into the bustling heart of Cusco, we explored the ancient Inca sites that surround the city like guardians of its history.

🗿Sacsayhuamán
The crown jewel of Cusco's ancient temples, Sacsayhuamán is an architectural marvel. This massive fortress boasts gigantic stone blocks, some weighing over 100 tons, fitted so precisely that no mortar was needed.

🗿Q’enqo
A short distance from Sacsayhuamán, we found Q’enqo, a small but intriguing site. This labyrinth of carved rock channels and altars was likely used for rituals and sacrifices.

🗿Puka Pukara
Further along, we came to Puka Pukara, or the "Red Fortress" which served as a military outpost. Its name comes from the reddish hue of its stones during sunset.

🗿Tambomachay
Known as the "Baths of the Inca," Tambomachay is a serene site dedicated to water worship. Its intricate aqueducts and fountains still function, channeling clear mountain water.

These ruins are more than remnants of stone—they are windows into the ingenuity of a civilization that once thrived here.

10/11/2024

Pisac, Peru
April 2024

At the foot of the ancient Incan archeological complex lies the town of Pisac, which was built in the 16th century during the Spanish colonial era.

Despite its colonial origin, the town of Pisac feels deeply infused with the valley's mystical Inca energy.
Along its cobblestone streets, shops sell all sorts of traditional clothes, shamanic objects and ritual instruments, while the scent of palo santo spreads through the air.
On notice boards around town, many posters are dedicated to spiritual readings, tarot and ayahuasca ceremonies.

Outside the town, the atmosphere becomes even more ethereal and the peace of nature and traditional way of living becomes pervasive. It's in this valley of farming fields, with a backdrop of mountains, forests and old sanctuaries, that are concealed the locations of multiple Shaman retreats.

Here, many traditional shamans still practice in the ancestral ways, honoring the roots of this tradition despite its commercialization. Shamans carefully prepare their own ayahuasca brew - a thick, earthy tea made from the ayahuasca and chacruna plants.
During night-long ceremonies, the shaman calls upon protective spirits, through chanting and ritual instruments, channeling the energy of mother ayahuasca to help their patients navigate the intense visions and emotions that arise.

02/11/2024

Pisac, Peru
March 2024

The road to Pisac offers some of the most memorable views of the Sacred Valley. And just when you think you've had captured it all, your attention will be stolen by the impressive terraces on the mountains sides of Pisac, extending into vertiginous heights and inclines.

It's on the top of these peaks that the Incas built a large multi-purpose site - for residences, as an observatory, a religious temple and a defensive fortress.

The history and details of this complex are to this day not known with certainty, and notably it was not mentioned by any of the Spanish chroniclers.

The ruins on the other side, are particularly well preserved, and expose 7 different architectural areas including agricultural terraces, residences for different social classes, watchtowers, and an observatory and religious temple.

On the steep cliff facing the complex, more than 3,500 tombs are cut into the rock and terrain, making this one of the largest cemeteries in the pre-Columbian world and making this site even more unique.

Finally, It's hard to say if it's because of the sacrality of this place or the Incas' belief in reincarnation but many people consider Pisac a sacred area full of spiritual energy and deeper connections with nature amidst the Andean Mountains

07/09/2024

Chinchero, Peru
March 2024

When people talk of the Inca Trail, they usually refer to the famous trek that leads to Machu Picchu, yet the network of trails built by the Inca is something significantly more extraordinary as it stretches for over 300,000 km connecting the vast Inca empire from modern day Colombia to Argentina and Chile!

We will encounter Inca roads again and again in Bolivia, Chile and Argentina, but the best preserved sections are definitely those connecting the numerous towns of the Sacred Valley.

Local people use these hikes daily to tend their land and livestock, walking on the same stone stairs, and water systems, originally built during the Inca empire.

Chinchero being one of the main administrative centers, it's extremely connected with the other towns - including the Chinchero to Urquillos trail.

Walking on the original Inca stones, passing by beautiful waterfalls, all while facing dramatic peaks and open valleys was the perfect hike to soak in the Sacred Valley beyond the already exciting cultural visits.

02/09/2024

Maras, Sacred Valley, Peru
March 2024

Many areas of the sacred valley are linked by walking paths, making it possible to hike from town to town. That's exactly what we did on a full-day hike from Urubamba to Maras, and back.

Our first stop - the Maras Salineras, an ancient (still operational!) terraced salt mine that's been in use since pre-Inca times. Water from a salty underground spring fills the pans, then evaporates, leaving behind crystallized salt, which is then harvested.

Next, we passed through the town of Maras, where we came upon a Carnaval celebration in the main plaza. Everyone was in full festive spirit! There were dances, colorful outfits and lots of water balloons being thrown around. The water fights are part of a tradition to invoke rain for the harvest season. We were not spared from them and soon ended up partially doused in water.

From Maras, we made our way to Moray, a terraced site, designed by the Incas to imitate variable climates on each layer - an ancient potato lab. Here, the Incas tested and perfected their farming techniques.

A huge variety of crops was found here: different potatoes, multiple types of corn and quinoa. It's very likely that many modern vegetables were first experimented and selected right here: in the Moray terraces of the Sacred Valley.

31/08/2024

Chinchero, Peru
March 2024

The Sacred Valley is made colorful and memorable also through the textiles and fabrics that revive the Inca traditions.
Those same textiles, are in large part originated from the town of Chinchero!

Chinchero stands out among the other towns of the Sacred Valley as one of the main textile production centers, still employing traditional weaving techniques and producing the highest quality of fabrics.

The history of Chinchero is very rich. It was once the Royal Estate for Inca emperor Tupac Yupanqui, it served as an administrative and agricultural center connected by roads and trails to all other towns, and witnessed the blending of Indigenous and Spanish architectural styles when, during the Spanish conquest, a colonial church was built atop the Inca foundations.

Today the town is known for its well preserved Inca terraces and ruins, and the large textile market, where every Sunday all local producers showcase their colorful, high quality hand-made products.
..and yes we bought as much as our small van could fit 🚐🎁

17/08/2024

Inti Punku, Ollantaytambo, Peru
March 2024

We went on a long hike near Ollantaytambo, up one of the peaks in the Sacred Valley to find the lesser-known Sun Gate, Inti Punku. The other, more popular, Sun Gate sits at Machu Picchu, but this one has its own unique charm, far away from the crowds.

The views on the hike were majestic! As we climbed higher, the valley unfolded before us - vast and green, dotted with patches of farmland and small, quiet villages. The mountains loomed on all sides, their peaks jutting into the sky. It felt surreal to be surrounded by the same breathtaking landscape that the Incas once revered.

For the Incas, the Inti Punku was more than just a structure - it was a sacred place where they could connect with their sun god, Inti. Its position was such that it would be the first place the sun’s rays would touch at the start of the day.

As we got closer to the Sun Gate, the weather turned and it started to rain on us. But it only added to the experience, as the whole landscape felt much more epic and alive.

14/08/2024

Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru
March 2024

There's something spiritual, almost magical about the Sacred Valley in Peru!

After driving through miles of desert and rocky passes, we emerged into a lush valley, fed by the Urubamba river and protected by the Andes peaks. Many small villages dot the landscape, where the traditional Andean way of life has flourished for generations.

One of these towns is Ollantaytambo, one of the oldest continuously populated settlements in South America, and most preserved Inca village.

Here, many of the inhabited town buildings still preserve their Inca foundations and walls. The maze of cobblestone streets is lined with its original system of intricate water canals. And looking over the town, are the Ollantaytambo ruins: an impressive complex of agriculture terraces, leading to the remains of the ancient royal estate and the Sun temple.

Ollantaytambo is a living monument to the Inca empire's grandeur and advanced construction abilities.

31/07/2024

Abancay, Peru
February 2024

Crossing the Andes range one more time! This time, from the coast to our last destination in Peru - the Sacred Valley of Cusco.

As we climbed higher into the Andes, the landscape transformed dramatically. From the arid Nazca desert to a wide plateau where vicuñas roamed freely, and eventually to alpine terrains covered with lush forests.

At one point, we reached an altitude of 4,500 meters, and felt the dizziness and stomach issues from altitude sickness. Thankfully, we found lots of places to camp and rest along the way.

One one of our stops, we met Jin, a solo cyclist from Chile heading north to Alaska. We’re super impressed by folks going on the same journey as us, but on bikes! Good luck and safe travels ! 🚴🏻‍♂️

21/07/2024

Nazca lines, Nazca desert, Peru
February 2024

Driving through the highway, it was almost easy to miss the giant lines that crossed the desert on both sides of the road.

We had to climb one of the observation towers to see how the lines combine together to form giant shapes of animals (spiders, monkeys, sharks, llamas), plants and trees.

Archeologists believe that these were created by the Nazca culture sometime in 500 BC, but their purpose remains a mystery - maybe they are part of an astronomical calendar, pathways for rituals or religious ceremonies.

The Nazca lines are so mysterious, that they've sparked some wild ideas, like aliens using them as runways.

We spent a night in the Nazca desert, right next to a cat-shaped geoglyph.
Safe to say, we didn't get abducted by aliens or see any signs of UFO activity 🛸

06/07/2024

Huacachina, Peru
February 2024

The coast of Peru is a long arid desert, with few coastal towns that become rarer as you move further from Lima.

That is why, arriving at the oasis town of Huacachina felt like a mirage in the middle of the Nazca desert.
One of the few remaining natural oases in America, Huacachina welcomed us with lush palm trees and a desert lake, surrounded 360° by majestic sand dunes.

Not hard to imagine how this place inspired a lot of legends - featuring an Inca princess bathing in the desert, mermaids luring unsuspecting tourists into the lake, and the lake water having magical healing properties.

We could not miss a sand buggy and sand boarding tour with Kira early in the morning, when the sun wasn't too hot.
Our vehicle rolled up and down the gigantic sand dunes (up to 500m tall) that surrounded Huacachina.

The face of Kira was unrivaled only by those of the other tourists..
Who has ever seen a Husky on a Sand Buggy tour through the desert ?! 🏜️🐺

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