Yapa Explorers, based in Cusco, Peru, organizes a variety of tours in and around the ancient Inca capital. I had the chance, in collaboration with Yapa, to visit Machu Picchu along with the Inca Valley. During the tour, we visited important and impressive sites built by the Incas—from temples to intricate agricultural terraces—and learned more about their history and way of life. I traveled by train to the small town beneath Machu Picchu, ready for one of the most extraordinary experiences in Peru.

What makes this tour truly unique is that, with a bit of luck, you can see a world wonder under perfect conditions. At Machu Picchu, however, that’s never guaranteed. It is located deep in the rainforest, high up in the mountains, where the weather can change at any moment. When I finally reached the top, everything was shrouded in clouds. But slowly, very slowly, the mist cleared… revealing the breathtaking view I had been hoping for. A magical moment I will never forget.