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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.

Explore houseboat stays, canoe trips, and lakeside towns.

A week of lakeside stays, outdoor play, campfire stories, and easy travel days for a memorable family getaway

Never Been to Ireland? Hike, dine, and play your way through a land of vibrant culture and wild beauty on this tour through Dublin, Northern Ireland, the Lakelands, and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Iceland’s largest and most famous geothermal spa lies around an hour outside Reykjavik, quite close to Keflavik Airport. With a dramatic setting amidst large black lava boulders, the steam-filled, creamy-blue pool area is a striking and surreal sight. The Blue Lagoon has been open since the 1980s and today draws some 700,000 visitors a year. The pools are actually created by heated seawater that flows from the adjacent geothermal power station. The waters allegedly cure all manner of skin-related ailments (eczema, psoriasis), but whether these claims are true or not, it’s certainly an atmospheric place to unwind, with very comfortable (99 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures. The complex includes a small bar that dispenses healthy juices and beer, as well as a spa area for massages andbeauty treatments, and a very good restaurant; there’s also an upscale hotel if you wish to stay overnight.

Swap the well-traveled sites for cozy stays, rugged shoreline, and waterfalls along Lake Superior’s North Shore.

This five-day itinerary highlights some of Wyoming’s best family-friendly activities—from paddleboarding on Fremont Lake to fly fishing, sandboarding, and unforgettable wildlife sightings.

This week on Travel Tales by Afar, comedian, Katherine Blanford takes us on a regional comedy tour across America.

Explore lesser-known gems (plus stay in distinctive and new hotels) when you go off the beaten path on this seven-day trip along coastal Ireland to Belfast and beyond.

On this six-day itinerary, you’ll travel through Wyoming’s “Salt to Stone” Region, traversing the Star Valley Scenic Byway and Grand Teton National Park.

Read articles from this print issue of Afar Magazine.

Enjoy James Beard Award–winning restaurants and internationally renowned art without the crowds.

Uncover the great urban outdoors in Toronto, Canada’s most bustling city, to enjoy leisurely days of swimming, hiking, and kayaking complemented by delicious, eco-conscious restaurants and city excitement.