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The red-gravel paths that wind among 6,000 plant species, past a babbling stream, and into deeply shaded areas may make you forget you’re in the center of a loud, bustling city. That said, many visitors don’t know that the Botanical Garden includes a small butterfly garden. It’s closed during the week, but you can still peek over a low wall to watch some 50 butterfly species flit about their business. And for one glorious hour, from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, the gate is thrown open and the public is free to walk sunny paths among shoulder-high flowering hedges as colorful, flirtatious butterflies alight on amused visitors’ heads, shoulders, and arms.

The Inca Trail is perhaps the most famous trek in Peru. This is the road to Machu Picchu, an ancient route that leads from the Sacred Valley into the heart of the Andes. You must obtain a permit and hire an official guide in order to hike the Inca Trail proper. There are plenty of tour operators in Cusco that offer trips up to Machu Picchu, so you should definitely look at reviews before you choose. For better or for worse, the tours are all-inclusive. The local tour operators employ porters to carry your packs and set up a camp. A team of local chefs will prepare three meals a day, and many hikers come back raving about the delicious meals. Keep in mind that the trek can be tough, especially in the first few days. The trail is often narrow, and it flirts with formidable heights. The mountains in this part of the Andes can rise well over 13,000 feet, and many hikers find themselves suffering from altitude sickness. Make sure to take a few days (in Cusco or the Sacred Valley) to acclimatize before you begin the journey. Finally: make sure to plan ahead! The Peruvian government limits trail access to 500 people per day, including porters. This regulation protects the local ecosystem and the delicate ruins, and it ensures that the trail won’t be too crowded. However, it also means that permits for the peak summer season sell out months in advance. If you aren’t able to get a permit for the classic Inca Trail, never fear: there are various other trails that lead to Machu Picchu.

On this week’s episode of Travel Tales by AFAR, we explore two regions in Argentina that most travelers miss.

Travel to southern Argentina, the gateway to “the seventh continent,” for a trip that spans the wine and tango of Buenos Aires and a bona fide polar expedition—with a world-famous waterfalls finale.

Go kayaking, snowshoeing, and camping in the White Wilderness

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we talk with conservationist Kris Tompkins.

Travel with Quark Expeditions on an Antarctica itinerary for a rare and up-close cruise experience and quality time with emperor penguins

Explore natural parks, lighthouses, farms, and more as you walk, hike, and swim through this coastal Caribbean destination.

Visiting the United Arab Emirates has never been easier than with this itinerary filled with rich experiences to enjoy.

On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene sits down with soccer historian Jonathan Wilson to unpack a century of World Cup drama — and what makes 2026 the most complicated tournament yet.

On this episode of “View From Afar,” Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, talks about a decade of exciting events and how the country can make inbound travel easier for international visitors.