Full disclosure, this is an image heavy post. I own the copyright to all of the images posted. If you would like to repost or use them, please ask.
The sublime beauty that exists in Peru, cannot be summed up in words let alone in pictures. One must experience it for themselves to truly understand it.
It has been about a month now since I returned from my bucket list trip to Peru and Machu Picchu and to say I am missing this incredible country would be an understatement. The culture, the sites, the people, all of it was simply magical. A few friends of mine have been lucky enough to experience it for themselves while the majority have yet to take the leap and visit. I’m hoping that by sharing some of my favorite images of the most amazing places I was lucky enough to visit on my trip will make the rest of you decide to book the next flight to Cusco!
Postcards from Peru’s Sacred Valley Pt. 1
When I journeyed to Peru with a good friend of mine, we booked a tour with Travendly. This was one of the best decisions we happened to make regarding booking this trip because they just made everything so simple and I cannot imagine having done this without them! Everything from the tour guides, tours, hotels, and transit is taken care of so that all you have to do is enjoy your trip. The tour guides we had, one local and one with the company, were amazing. They were incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and really added to the overall experience. I would 100%, without question, recommend joining Travendly on their trip to Peru, or any other location they offer really! Be sure to use my referral code, CMCLAUGHLIN3 !
Happy scrolling. Oh,and try not too drool too much!
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo was the first town we stayed overnight in. It has been continuously inhabited since the 13th century and it did NOT disappoint! There was an abundance of centuries old stone and colonial era buildings, winding cobblestone streets, and even some original Inca walls. One of my favorite parts of visiting here was the ever present sound of icy water from the mountains running through Inca-age irrigation channels all around town. The sound was extremely relaxing and something I had not expected.
A local home from Ollantaytambo
Inca-age irrigation channel
Remains of a building in Ollantaytambo
A local pup relaxing in the shade
Local children posing for a photo
A cobblestoned street in Ollantaytambo
Traditional Yarn Making
During our time here, we were lucky enough to visit a local place making traditional yarn and dyes. The incredible women there were kind enough to show us their traditional ways of creating the all natural dyes and dyeing the yarns, most of which were made from alpaca fur.
Beautiful alpaca yarn on display
Displayed yarn
Yarn dyeing demonstration
Hanging out with their baby alpaca!
Chinchero
Chinchero is a beautifully rustic small town that is home to both Inca age ruins and Spanish colonial buildings. Here, one can view agricultural terraces and the remains of original Inca walls and buildings. Not to be missed is the Spanish Colonial church, built in 1607, that sits on top of the remains of an Incan palace. Respectfully, pictures are not allowed within the church but we were lucky enough to witness a wedding celebration going on in the plaza in front of the church!
Agricultural terraces at Cinchero
Remains of Inca ruins at Cinchero
Inca-age Walls and Gate
Wedding Celebration 
Confetti from Wedding Celebration
Moray Ruins
The ruins at Moray consist of a series of depressions in the earth that the Inca built agricultural terraces in. Certain plants used to only grow high up in the mountains so the Inca created these terraces to make hybrid seeds of potatoes and other plants so they could be grown in other locations. The lower into the depressions the warmer the temperature gets. Over the years the Inca would replant the seeds lower and lower into the depressions to create plants that can now be grown in lower areas with warmer temperatures. Viewing the absolute genius and workmanship that went into designing and building these agricultural terraces had me in a complete state of awe. I swear these were one of the most fascinating sites I witnessed while in Peru!
The sublime beauty of Peru 
Snowcapped mountains 
Wildflowers
Terraces at Moray
Terraces at Moray Ruins
Terraces at Moray 
Terraces at Moray
The group hiking at Moray 
Directional arrow 
Original Inca stairs
Another set of terraces 
Additional set of terraces
One of my favorites 
I couldn’t help but just stare
Stay tuned for Postcards from Peru’s Sacred Valley Pt. 2!
If you’re ready to book your bucketlist trip to Peru, head on over to Travendly to get started! Be sure to use my referral code, CMCLAUGHLIN3
For more of my posts on Peru, head on over to 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Peru’s Machu Picchu.
These pictures are amazing Cassie! You are such a great photographer!
Thank you so much! Im so glad you enjoyed them!!
Amazing!!!!!!!!!! Just like your mum loving photography. You’ve got the artistic eye and spirit to experience all that the world has to offer. You’re an old soul. All of this has brought out such expression through your words and photos!
Great pics and information about Peru ,Cassie . I’m ready to book ..
You definitely should!