Some choose not to visit the world heritage site of Machu Picchu because of the tourist vs. traveler dilemma. With 5,000 sightseers per day and an annual revenue of USD $35.9 million, it is challenging to find “authentic” educational experiences amidst the touristic elements. For social and environmental reasons, our group decided to take the road less traveled by avoiding the trains/buses and instead walking with all our gear from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes, camping outside the sanctuary in a park, and then hiking up to the ruins (totalling 48km roundtrip on foot)! Despite burning calves, reaching the heights of… Read More