About marksmith

Mark Smith 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.

May

2022

Peru’s COVID Travel Restrictions – UPDATED

Posted On May 1, 2022 By Mark Smith And has 45 Comments

The Latest Updates on COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in Peru With such regular updates about Peru travel restrictions and coronavirus in Peru, in different regions and even cities. This article will tell you everything that you need to know about current and past travel restrictions in Peru […]

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

Travel to Peru Safely- Our Commitments

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

Travel to Peru Safely- Our Commitments As traveling opens up again, adventurers are left with a choice- do they opt for a more traditional style of traveling, or for a more private trek or bubble tour? When that day comes, you want to travel safely and […]

Apr

2020

Choosing a Safe Peruvian Tour Company: Best Practices

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

Everything you need to know about choosing a safe Peruvian tour company for you and your companions as you travel this magnificent country. See choosing a safe Peruvian Adventure outfitter for more specialized information. Tourism in Peru is a competitive business. In Cusco alone, over 1,700 […]

Apr

2020

Experiential Travel to Peru in the Time of Coronavirus

Posted On April 8, 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? Why […]

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? What if you can’t travel because of Coronavirus? This article highlights how– if your circumstances permit– you could make a big difference to those in the tourism industry by […]

Nov

2019

Cusco With Kids: What You Need to Know

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

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 are all within […]

Dec

2020

On Why Sightseeing in Peru Is Not Enough

Posted On December 7, 2020 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

I went sightseeing the other day, through the canyonlands of Salta, Argentina. 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 […]

Mar

2020

Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

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

When visiting Machu Picchu, adventurers are faced with a choice. Should you hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain? The quick answer is it’s down to personal preference (and to some extent, availability). Huayna Picchu is the slightly more ‘classic’ choice, and if you’re a lover […]

Nov

2019

White Water Rafting in Cusco and Peru: The Ultimate Guide

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

White water rafting in Cusco and Peru White water rafting in Cusco and Peru is the perfect way to add some excitement and adrenaline to your Peru adventure (check out some of our recommended trips here!). This guide aims to outline the choice of rivers commercially […]

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

Your complete guide about where to stay in Barranco, Lima. Barranco is the trendy younger sibling to the Miraflores district and the perfect place to base yourself if you love street art, restaurants, and the ocean view. Where is Barranco? Barranco is in Lima, the capital […]

Mar

2021

Step by Step to Camping on the Inca Trail

Posted On March 5, 2021 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

Welcome to the step by step guide to camping on the Inca Trail. Here, you will find out everything that you need to know about this famous trek to Machu Picchu. What is the camping on the Inca Trail like? The camping on the Inca Trail […]

Feb

2021

What To Do When You Can’t Get an Inca Trail Permit

Posted On February 10, 2021 By Mark Smith And has No Comment

In the whirlwind world of COVID, the Inca Trail has been closed for over a year, with just the KM104 Royal Inca trail, or the final day that walks you into Machu Picchu remaining open. However, as each storm passes, the long Inca Trail is finally […]

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 fewer 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 from the current Inca Trail. Big changes to how the Inca Trail regulations 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- A Complete Guide

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

If you’re the type of person who loves a destination for Christmas, perhaps a Peruvian Christmas is the perfect way to explore the rich culture, avoid the crowds, and of course, have yourself a merry little Christmas. Christmas in Peru is an undoubtedly magical time for […]

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 taken part in the Queuña Raymi Tree Planting Festival, by planting trees together with ECOAN and various partners in the Lares Valley of Cusco. Now known as Queuña Raymi Tree Planting Festival, we work alongside 21 communities to reforest the […]

Jul

2019

The highest winery in the world is in Peru

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

What if I told you there’s a winery in Peru that’s the highest in the world? 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. […]

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 5 tips: 5 […]

Apr

2019

Huchuy Qosqo Trek: 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, Peru

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 the late 19th-century rubber boom, Iquitos was once […]

Mar

2019

How to Get a Great Guide in Peru

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

A good guide can make or break your Peruvian trip. So how do we ensure you get Peruvian guides that are “exceptional”, “beyond expectations”, “the best guide I have ever had”? We grow them How do you grow a good guide? To be a guide in […]

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

While most of the time the cities are safe for tourists, robberies in Peru do happen. It’s best to be aware of this kind of thing before traveling. 1. Armed Robberies in Peru There were two armed robberies of tourists outside high-end Miraflores hotels last month. […]

Dec

2018

Art Experience: Ceramic in Cusco

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

Exploring ceramic in Cusco is a great new way to get to know the city and leave a positive impact. These ceramic experiences generally last about 3 hours, so are ideal to slot into your time in Cusco. Also ideal if some, but not all the […]

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

Best Restaurants in Lima: Where to Eat

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

Restaurants in Lima. Lima is the culinary capital of South America. Restaurants in Lima certainly have a high standard and you best believe that there are enough different cuisines to satisfy even the pickiest of palettes. This article will explore the different cuisines and the best […]

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

Restaurants in Peru: Where to Eat

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

Some of the best restaurants in Peru are known around the world as major players in the world of dining. Peru is known worldwide by food lovers, and the citizens are incredibly proud of its gastronomy. The cuisine varies depending on the regions and places you […]

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 […]

Dec

2020

Plant a tree in Peru- only one dollar per tree

Posted On December 7, 2020 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 […]