Search results for

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.

There’s only one way to make this journey--by narrow gauge railroad, pulled by a vintage steam locomotive. This is a truly iconic experience in the southwest of the state, and one of the ways to feel the full grandeur of the San Juan Mountains. You board the train in the morning at the depot in Durango, just as passengers have been doing since 1882! The trip takes about 3.5 hours and you can either ride the same train back, or opt for the one-hour bus ride down Highway 550. There are a number of cars and classes to choose from, from standard coach to the Knight Sky, an all-glass carriage in First Class that allows views up the stunning canyons (and not just their passing walls). Tickets start at $85.

On this Unpacked: Five Questions episode, writer Chris Colin describes traveling Botswana by bike with his family — from close-up animal moments and a surprising encounter with an antlion to salt-pan nights and a near-miss with a massive cobra—and explains how slowing down and local guides transform a safari into an unforgettable, family-friendly journey.

My first visit to The Lazy Fish was for a wedding and I simply wish I could have stayed longer. This is not your usual guesthouse; for a start you can only access it by boat and at the end of the private jetty where you disembark is an old style telephone box - that actually works! The Lazy Fish is secluded in the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island. Perfect for a real ‘getaway’ the serenity is amplified by the native birdlife and the gentle washing of water on the pebbled shore. There is a beautiful native garden you can walk through, complete with large palms, and on those rare occasions where the weather isn’t the best you can simply pick up a book and relax inside on one of the most comfortable chairs in the world!

On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Nick DeRenzo shares tips for exploring Stratford and the East Bank cultural quarter, including where to eat, where to stay, and the new museums and venues reshaping East London in 2026.

From steam trains and stargazing to mineral springs and river hikes, this itinerary captures the state’s landscapes and culture.

Read articles from this print issue of Afar Magazine.

Explore Africa and the Middle East with these trip itineraries.

On this episode of Unpacked by Afar, host Aislyn Greene travels to the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park to spend time with the women breaking into one of Africa’s most male-dominated professions—and discover why having a female guide changes everything about being in the bush.

Enjoy lively festivals, tranquil beaches, and marine adventures across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix—no passport required.

Eat your way through D.C. with a four-day itinerary of top restaurants, food museums, markets, and unique stops like a zoo and a cookbook shop.

Embark on a thrilling adventure throughout Mesopotamia, Türkiye, a land of archeological treasures, iconic art, and culinary delights.

Swim with sea life, visit Danish colonial towns, and relax on quiet beaches during five days on the Caribbean island of St. Croix.

Baroque castles, incredible porcelain artistry, and magnificent symphonies star in this stunning tour through eastern Germany.

On this Feel Good Friday episode of Unpacked by Afar, the team shares good news about Australia’s plastic reduction, a Polish climber who skied down Everest alone, and the female guides redefining safari in Botswana.