About marksmith

Mark Smith is Head of Marketing for Amazonas Explorer. He has lived and worked in Peru since 2004, first as a trekking guide, before moving into the office. He has been with Amazonas Explorer for 6 years and has worked in the adventure travel industry for 30 years. He is a contributing author to the Bradt Travel Guide: Trekking in Peru and has contributed information to various guidebooks about adventure travel in Peru.

Oct

2020

Coronavirus in Peru- the latest updates

Posted On October 19, 2020 By Mark Smith And has 40 Comments

The Latest on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Peru Updated Oct. 19th 2020-Cultural Sites Open, Machu Picchu open’s to locals & International Flights are Running On October 15th the Ministry of Culture opened the following archaeological sites: Saqsaywaman Pisaq Ollantaytambo Chinchero Tipon Moray Pikillaqta These are all major […]

Aug

2020

Help Peruvian Porters during Covid-19

Posted On August 28, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Update August 26, 2020 by Paul Cripps, Organizer On Monday 24th of August, we organised the 3rd porter food parcel drop. As you may be aware, Peru is still in the middle of its Covid peak. Fortunately all our staff are staying safe and keeping isolated but times […]

Apr

2020

When you can travel to Peru- this is how we will make it safer for you

Posted On April 29, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

You will be able to travel again—one day. Peru will open its doors to you—someday. When that day comes, you want to travel safely and to avoid crowds of people. To visit Machu Picchu and avoid bus queues; to visit the Sacred Valley and avoid crowded […]

Apr

2020

Experiential Travel to Peru in the Time of Coronavirus-part 5-smell

Posted On April 29, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Part five of a five-part series of ways to experience a little of Peru when you cannot be here. Today we look at the sense of smell. What is the scent of Peru? If you had to make a perfume that encapsulates Peru, what would you […]

Apr

2020

How to Choose a Safe Company for Your Peruvian Adventure

Posted On April 15, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

By Mark Smith How to Choose a Safe Company for Your Peruvian Adventure Tourism in Peru is a competitive business. In Cusco alone, over 1,700 companies are competing for your money. However, many of these tourism businesses are illegal. According to figures released by Dircetur, the […]

Apr

2020

Experiential Travel to Peru in the Time of Coronavirus- part 4- touch

Posted On April 20, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

This is part three of a five-part series of ways to experience a little of Peru when you cannot be here. Today we look at touch. What does Peru feel like? Alpaca Put on your alpaca sweater, next to your skin if you dare. Close your eyes […]

Apr

2020

Experiential Travel to Peru in the Time of Coronavirus- part 3- taste

Posted On April 13, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

This is part three of a five-part series of ways to experience a little of Peru when you cannot be here. Part one is here, part two is here. Today we look at taste. What does Peru taste like? Step aboard any flight from Cusco to […]

Apr

2020

Experiential Travel to Peru in the Time of Coronavirus- part 2- sight

Posted On April 8, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

This is part two of a five-part series of ways to experience Peru when you cannot be here. You can read part one here. Experience Peru by sight Alta Moda, or High Fashion, is a photo project by Mario Testino. Originally from Lima, he made […]

Apr

2020

Experiential Travel to Peru in the Time of Coronavirus- part 1- sound

Posted On April 6, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Experiential travel has various definitions. For me, it means to travel with your senses fully engaged. I wrote about this some years ago. How much of our travel is fully engaged? How many times when we travel are we half there and half somewhere else? […]

Mar

2020

What If I Can’t Travel Because of Coronavirus?

Posted On March 25, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

COVID-19 has stopped travel for the time being. But what if you already had a trip booked? This article highlights how– if your circumstances permit– you could make a big difference to those in the tourism industry by choosing to postpone rather than cancel. And yes, […]

Nov

2019

5 Things To Do In Cusco With Kids

Posted On November 5, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Why visit Cusco with kids? A trip to Cusco with kids is the perfect opportunity to create a memorable family holiday. The sheer diversity of Peru is amazing. The opportunities to learn while enjoying yourself are huge. Few places in the world allow you to show […]

Apr

2020

Villa Barranco: Redefining Luxury

Posted On April 15, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

By Mark Smith Villa Barranco is one in a wave of boutique hotels to open in Lima, the Peruvian capital. Situated in the coastal neighborhood of Barranco, this hotel makes an ideal base to explore the city on foot. Museums, galleries, cafes, bars and award-winning restaurants […]

Nov

2018

On Why Sightseeing Is Not Enough

Posted On November 29, 2018 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

I went sightseeing the other day, through the canyonlands of Salta. In 37 degrees heat, it left me feeling cold. Delivered from sight to sight in an air-conditioned car, emerging to stop and stare before retreating once more and moving on to the next. As I […]

Mar

2020

Huayna Picchu vs Machu Picchu Mountain- which is best?

Posted On March 3, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain? Which is better? What is the difference between the Huayna Picchu hike and Machu Picchu Mountain hike? How can I buy Huayna Picchu tickets or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets? If you are planning a Machu Picchu tour, you may have […]

Nov

2019

The Ultimate Guide to White Water Rafting in Peru

Posted On November 13, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

White water rafting in Peru White water rafting in Peru is the perfect way to add some excitement and adrenaline to your Peru adventure. This guide aims to outline the choice of rivers commercially available for Peru rafting, as well as tell you how to choose […]

Feb

2020

Is the Inca Trail Dangerous?

Posted On February 3, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Is the Inca Trail dangerous? And how can you hike the Inca Trail safely? Because the Inca Trail is so popular, most visitors do not even consider these questions. But as with any adventurous activity, you should. Being informed and prepared will allow you to hike […]

May

2019

How to Choose a Safe Peru Adventure Outfitter?

Posted On May 23, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

How do you choose a safe Peru adventure outfitter? Finding a safe Peru adventure outfitter should be the first thing you consider when choosing who to travel with. Because there are thousands of companies offering adventure travel in Peru it can be hard to know who […]

Feb

2020

Mudslide on the Salkantay Trek 2020 in Peru

Posted On February 26, 2020 By Mark Smith And has 7 Comments

Landslides and mudslide close Salkantay Trek A large mudslide hit the village of Santa Teresa, at the end of the Salkantay Trek on 23rd February 2020. This came just days after a tourist posted videos of landslides on the Salkantay Trek on 9th February 2020. While the […]

Dec

2019

Where to Stay in Barranco, Lima

Posted On December 20, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Where is Barranco? Barranco is in Lima, the capital of Peru. It is located on the seafront, 15 minutes from Miraflores, which is where most tourists stay. Why stay in Barranco, Lima? Barranco is the hip part of Lima. Full of art and culture Barranco […]

Jan

2020

What to do when the Inca Trail permits are sold out

Posted On January 8, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

What do you do when Inca Trail permits are sold out? When Inca Trail permits are sold out in 2020, you can still do some great trekking in Cusco. Simply take an Alternative Trek to Machu Picchu. The 500 permits available each day for the Inca […]

Nov

2019

Kjolle- Lima’s hottest restaurant

Posted On November 18, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Kjolle has rapidly become the new must-try place for foodies in Lima, Peru. Opened in 2018, it is the sister restaurant to award-winning Central. Central has been high on the list of food lovers visiting Lima for some years. But the only problem is getting a […]

Nov

2019

The Secret to Mountain Bike Hire in Cusco

Posted On November 19, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

How to find the best mountain bike hire in Cusco The secret to mountain bike hire in Cusco is simple. If you want to hire a good bike, then you have to book a tour. The best mountain bikes hired in Cusco, are far too expensive […]

Nov

2019

What is the difference between the 5 day Inca Trail and the 4 Day?

Posted On November 8, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

How does the 5 Day Inca Trail Trek compare to the 4 Day Inca Trail? The 5 day Inca Trail trek hikes the same route as the 4-day Inca Trail, but you get a better experience. You share the trail and campsites with less people. You […]

Mar

2020

Why you should NOT hike Rainbow Mountain

Posted On March 10, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

More problems at Rainbow Mountain Rainbow Mountain saw yet another pitched battle between locals over who has the right to charge entrance fees, on 8th March 2020. 4 people were wounded by bullets. Locals then attacked the police station, demanding those who had been held over […]

Nov

2018

Changes to Inca Trail regulations for 2021

Posted On November 8, 2018 By Mark Smith And has 2 Comments

The Inca Trail in 2021 may be a different experience to the current Inca Trail. Big changes to how the Inca Trail operates were announced in November 2018, due to come into place on the Inca Trail in 2020. But they did not happen. They are […]

Nov

2019

Christmas in Peru- 7 reasons to visit

Posted On November 6, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Christmas in Peru? Perhaps Peru does not spring to mind as a traditional place to visit for Christmas. But why not? A Peruvian Christmas is very different to Christmas in North America and much of Europe, although there is certainly a Spanish influence, due to the fact […]

Apr

2019

Queuña Raymi Tree Planting Festival 2018/19

Posted On April 17, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Each year, since 2007, we have planted trees together with ECOAN and various partners in the Lares Valley of Cusco. Now known as Queuña Raymi, we work alongside 21 communities to reforest the are in which they live and help to maintain the water sources, without […]

Jul

2019

What if I told you the highest winery in the world was in Peru?

Posted On July 8, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

What if I told you the highest winery in the world was in Peru? It is not yet, but soon will be. Currently planted between 2850m and 3000m, the Apu Winery has plans to become the highest in the world by planting at 3300m. It was […]

Jun

2019

5 Ways to Improve Your Inca Trail Experience

Posted On June 17, 2019 By Mark Smith And has 1 Comment

Inca Trail permits for 2020 went on sale in October. Some dates have already sold out. Over 100 companies can sell you the Inca Trail. But how can you ensure your once in a lifetime experience is as enjoyable as possible? Read on for our top […]

Apr

2019

Huchuy Qosqo an overnight adventure

Posted On April 24, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

The Huchuy Qosqo Trek is a great overnight trek in Cusco. Ever dreamed about waking up at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, just a few minutes walk from the ruins. Then you saw the price? How about waking up just yards from Huchuy Qosqo, an old Inca […]

Apr

2019

Impressions of Iquitos

Posted On April 23, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

You don’t go to Iquitos for the silence. The people at the airfield wore headphones. Perhaps everyone should. If it’s not the drone of motor taxis, then it is the ever-present whine of air con. Rising to prominence with late 19th-century rubber boom, Iquitos was once […]

Mar

2019

Want to know how to get a great guide?

Posted On March 20, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Guides can make or break your trip. So how do we ensure you get guides that are “exceptional”, “beyond expectations”, “the best guide I have ever had”? We grow them 1 Select good saplings To be a guide in Peru, you need a tourism degree. […]

Mar

2019

Why a trip to Machu Picchu is like going to the zoo

Posted On March 11, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Before you think I am belittling Machu Picchu by comparing it to a zoo – I am not. If you grow up in Cusco, surrounded by Inca ruins, as my girls have, seeing a tiger and feeding an elephant and giraffe is a bigger deal than a […]

Mar

2019

Recent robberies in Peru

Posted On March 11, 2019 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

1. Armed robberies There were two armed robberies of tourists outside high-end Miraflores hotels last month. Hotel security intervened in both, shots were fired in both, a guard got a bullet in the leg in one. Tourists were unharmed in both. The same week there was an armed […]

Dec

2018

New ceramic art experience in Cusco

Posted On December 14, 2018 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

This is a great new way to get to know Cusco and leave a positive impact. This experiences generally last about 3 hours, so are ideal to slot into your time in Cusco. Also ideal if some, but not all the family would like it- as […]

May

2018

Is Adventure Travel really sustainable?

Posted On May 24, 2018 By Mark Smith And has 4 Comments

Is Adventure Travel really sustainable? I watched a video the other day, a TED talk by Shannon Stowell, the CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. The talk was titled, “Change the world… take a vacation.” In it, he gives reasons why adventure travel is good […]

Sep

2017

Where to eat in Lima

Posted On September 4, 2017 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

By food style or restaurant style, taken from 2017 SUMMUM awards See here for where to eat in Peru outside of Lima. For Lima restaurants, read on: 1. Best meat restaurant in Lima 1 Carnal 2 El Charrúa 3 Osso Carnicería & Salumeria 4 El Hornero 5 La […]

Mar

2018

Why you should try camping in Peru

Posted On March 27, 2018 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

For years now, there has been a move away from camping in Peru and other popular trekking destinations. A shift towards day treks that stay in hotels in the valley and of building permanent accommodation on trekking routes. Some think camping in Peru is a poor […]

Sep

2017

Where to eat in Peru ( outside Lima)

Posted On September 4, 2017 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

First a general top 20 for Peru, then by region. This 2017 list was compiled by the annual SUMMUM food awards that take place within Peru. See here for a list of where to eat in Lima. 1. TOP 20 Restaurants in Peru all Lima except […]

Apr

2017

5 reasons why the Lares Trek is a great alternative to the Inca Trail

Posted On April 6, 2017 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

The Lares Trek with KM104 Inca Trail is an ideal option for most of you. Here are just some of the reasons why: Permits are easy to get Yes, the main ( 4 or 5 days) Inca Trail is world-famous. But the permit issue is so […]

Nov

2016

Plant a tree in Peru- only one dollar per tree

Posted On November 18, 2016 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

It is that time of year when I do my personal onepercentfortheplanet.org and dedicate my time to ask you to donate what you can to help us plant native trees in the Andes as part of our Queuña Raymi – Native Tree Planting Festival. This year we are hoping to […]