Thousands of tourists flock to Peru each year to visit the famed ruins of Machu Picchu. But while the masses are headed toward this archaeological wonder, many sites of great interest pass the days in relative obscurity. There are deep canyons, high-altitude lakes and spectacular rail journeys – plenty for those wanting to get off the beaten path. Here are some suggestions to escape the crowds.
Argentinian Patagonia is one of South America’s most pristine and splendid landscapes, its mountain ranges and glaciers reminding travelers of the most recent Ice Age. The vast stretches of pampas (steppe) hint at boundless adventure, while the country’s remote and scenic Ruta 40 is Argentina’s ultimate road trip.
Eat your way through the "land of the rising sun" on this immersive culinary tour. Get to know Japanese history and culture through its legendary cuisine, and treat your taste buds to everything from home-brewed sake to the freshest sushi to delectable street food and a fancy gourmet feast.
Cartagena is one of South America’s most enchanting colonial cities, and one its best places to eat, with seafood featuring prominently on many menus. The culinary scene has blossomed here in the last decade, with plenty of options that cater to all palates and budgets, from no-frills food carts to some of the most lauded restaurants in the country. Use this guide to find your way to the best eateries this city can offer.
The mountains and valleys outside Medellín, in the department of Antioquia, offer a variety of excellent attractions and great day trips. These include the well-preserved colonial town of Santa Fé de Antioquia to the west, fragrant flower farms to the east, and the lush Coffee Triangle of Juan Valdez fame to the south. The following top 5 sites and activities make great add-ons to your city exploration.
Still considered one of Europe's best-hidden gems, the Slovenian Alps are an ideal destination no matter what time of year you go. Enjoy high altitude hiking in summer, take a winter ice climbing lesson, or bask in the perfect temperatures and solitude of the shoulder seasons - whichever you choose, you'll find that Slovenia truly offers something for everyone.
This 14-day itinerary is perfect for serious bird watchers who dream of visiting some of the best bird watching sites in Colombia. The journey includes excursions in the Choco-Western Andes transition, where nearly all the birds are endemic or near-endemic and the mystical and biologically unique Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – an evolutionary island of biodiversity where you have the chance to view over 20 endemic birds. In addition to excellent birding sites, you'll experience life in rural Colombia and travel across stunning landscapes from the sea to the soaring Andes mountains.
Spend a week in Ecuador exploring the country's diversity, from volcanoes to the rainforest. Each trip starts in Quito, with tours of the UNESCO-designated historic city and a visit to the equator site. From here, choose to stay on the mainland and explore the highlands, cloud forest, and national parks, or fly to the Galapagos for a quick highlights tour of the biodiverse archipelago.
Spend 10 days taking in the Western Cape with this trip plan. You'll explore Cape Town and see Table Mountain from both a distant beach and right under your feet, sample the wines of Stellenbosch, and dive into a great white cage encounter before you hit the road on the Garden Route for canoeing, hiking, animal encounters, and more.
This trip to the heart of Central America offers fascinating historical culture, thrilling adventure, and jaw-dropping vistas. You'll fall in love with the charming colonial city of Antigua, learn about ancient Mayan civilization, and hike and bike some of Guatemala's stunning mountain volcanoes.
Calling all wine-loving travelers: this 7-day Corsican vineyard hop was made with you in mind. Bounce between some of the oldest vineyards in Europe (with stops at stunning beaches and charming towns in between) to experience the history, variety, and especially the flavors of Corsica's wine culture.
Amble along windswept coastlines and across dramatic mountain interiors as you explore Corsica on foot with this active 7-day tour. If you love to travel slowly, savoring each moment, landscape, and experience along the way, this trip was tailor-made for you. Spend each day taking in the island's natural beauty on foot - and every night in sumptuous accommodations.
Perfect for avid cyclists, this 7-day tour of Corsica winds through classically Corsican villages, past sweeping mountain views, and over scenic seaside roads to take you through the very best of the island. Road bikes, hybrids, and e-bikes are all good options and breathtaking views are guaranteed.
Go off the beaten track on this eco-friendly, 8-day trip to continental Africa's tiniest country. You'll unwind on gorgeous beaches, discover tropical wildlife, and get an inside look at local culture - all while being a responsible traveler.
This 10-day trip will take you to the best the Galápagos has to offer. Immerse yourself in the wildlife, culture, and unique ecosystem of the archipelago as you see the sights by bike, by foot, and in the water. This extraordinary tour includes snorkeling with sea lions, tropical fish, and beautiful manta rays. On land, there will be numerous chances to observe giant tortoises and other amazing creatures in this one-of-a-kind destination.
Northern Jordan – with its rolling hills, ancient ruins, slower pace, and community-based tourism initiatives – has much more to offer than one day allows. Don’t make the rookie mistake of a quick trip to Jerash. Read on to see why you should set aside at least three days for your northern Jordan adventure.
Norway's cities may be an obvious choice for a family trip — museums, history, the works — but its countryside may have even more to offer. In an age where screens abound, a different way of life still exists in the Norway's small towns and natural areas. Here are a few ideas for taking your family through this beautiful country's less-trodden landscape.
Jordan is made up of much more than arid desert. Take a road trip and you'll quickly see the scenery change – from bustling cities to serene sea, wooded hills to rocky cliffs, all offering visitors a variety of vistas and activities to enjoy. Here are some of the best road trip routes through Jordan to get you started.
Maria Yee and her boyfriend Aloysius booked flights to South Africa with their sights set on the abundant wildlife in Kruger National Park. Read on for Maria's advice to travelers and some of her favorite moments in South Africa.
Avid hiker and kimkim traveler Kristin Monesmith lives in Peru halftime, working remotely and exploring the endless mountain trails. The Ausangate Trek checked all her boxes: incredibly beautiful, essentially devoid of tourists, and enough of a challenge to leave her feeling accomplished at the end. She spoke with us about her five-day adventure circumnavigating one of the most spectacular mountains in Southern Peru.
Home to red-rock deserts, craggy mountain peaks and sparkling coastlines, northern Chile offers boundless adventures for avid travelers. You can spend your days wandering through eerie ghost towns, zipping down sand dunes or basking on pristine beaches, followed by nights of stargazing beneath the dark southern hemisphere skies. Here are some of the top destinations when planning a trip through Chile.
On this tour, you'll explore the ancient streets of Cusco, then head to the Sacred Valley to shop for handicrafts in historic Pisac and go to a traditional garment workshop and hike to the amazing salt pans produced by the Incas. Top it all off by spending a day exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu.
With a full week in Nepal, there’s time to cover a lot of ground on a sightseeing tour—you can easily combine the highlights of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan National Park. But the reason many travelers come to Nepal is to trek, and with seven days, you can choose between a few rewarding trails. The Ghorepani Poon Hill and Pikey Peak treks are both popular options with views for days; you can also opt for a cultural village-to-village hike or a luxury trekking experience in the Annapurna foothills.
This tour takes you to some of the most spiritually important places in North India. Be introduced to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism at Rishikesh, Dharamsala, and Amritsar, and learn about ancient yoga and Ayurvedic traditions. Visit the classic and popular “Golden Triangle” of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur but from a different perspective by meeting local artisans, staying in village homestays, and engaging in other socially responsible tourism and business ventures.
Land-based tours are a more economical and comfortable alternative to cruising the Galapagos. This 6-day itinerary takes in the highlights of the three main inhabited islands — from watching giant tortoises to hiking around an active volcanic crater and snorkeling with penguins and sharks.
This 14-day trip will take you to the best cities and historic places of interest on the north coast of Peru. From the fascinating archaeological sites around Trujillo and Cumbemayo, to visits with local woodcarvers and environmentalists, you'll get an in-depth experience with this little-visited area. Along the way, you'll hike to one of the world’s highest waterfalls, make some cocktails, visit superb museums, and sample delicious local cuisine.
This two-week journey will take you on an epic odyssey through two of the most fascinating states of southern India. You'll be enchanted by the French flavors of Pondicherry and the grand temple complex at Madurai in Tamil Nadu, the lush natural world of Periyar and the traditional culture of the backwaters of Kerala. Discover why this laid-back part of the country is a traveler favorite.
There are almost too many spectacular sights and experiences in Rajasthan — camel trekking in the Thar Desert, the watery splendors of Udaipur, open-air art museums in Bundi, the sandcastle city of Jaisalmer, the mesmerizing blue of Jodhpur, and the sacred lake-side town of Pushkar. Add on the must-sees of Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra and you'll begin to understand why so many travelers are drawn back to India time and again.
South India is a hot, steaming, colorful mix of untamed nature and mesmerizing culture. This tour will immerse you in some of the more exotic traditions of peninsula India: the art and temples of Tamil Nadu, the flavors and jungles of Kerala, and plenty of chill-out time on the backwaters and in the hills that permeate the region.
Travel in India will open your eyes like nowhere else on earth. You'll see beauty and experience wonder in a new way in this incredible country. The triangle of Delhi - Agra - Jaipur is popular with tourists for good reason, but this tour offers a unique perspective. As well as seeing the Taj Mahal, you'll visit local communities, women’s cooperatives, and an elephant rescue center in Agra.
Norway may have 63,000 miles of coastline and endless countryside to explore, but you don't need to see it all to have an amazing experience. Whether your priorities lie in the dramatic southern fjords, coastal islands, cultural cities, or small fishing villages, it's easy to craft a satisfying itinerary that takes less than a week to complete. Get inspired by these unique itineraries for your 5-day trip to Norway.
Adventurous travelers rejoice: this two-week itinerary runs the gamut of Thailand's most iconic scenery and sights. You'll bike, river raft, and trek your way to ancient temples, traditional villages, and vibrant night markets. Lace up your hiking boots and prepare to immerse yourself in all this colorful country has to offer.
From the third highest peak in northern Thailand to the authentic night markets of Chiang Rai, this seven-day trek is a great choice for avid hikers who also want a taste of Thai city life before heading home. Enjoy sweeping mountain panoramas, intricate temples, and bustling, colorful night markets.
The active eight-day tour is perfect for moderate hikers who are interested in northern Thailand's epic landscapes. Starting with a summit above Chiang Mai, you and your guide will accomplish a number of trails in national parks, forests, and rice fields while staying in unique towns near the Burmese and Laotian borders. Of course, there will be plenty of time to absorb Thai culture along the way, from visiting monks and hill tribes to dining on fresh red curry at the night markets.
Discover the ancient ruins and delights of Angkor, just outside the bustling modern city of Siem Reap, on this 4-day trip to northern Cambodia. You'll hike and bike around Angkor's sacred sites, experience the nightlife of Siem Reap, and learn to cook and farm the Khmer way.
This 9-day hiking and biking adventure along central Chile's backroads is perfect for active travelers. You'll discover a fascinating part of the country dominated by clear lakes and amazing active volcanoes. Together with expert guides, you will pedal alongside snow-capped peaks, green meadows and stunning lakes, make visits to local indigenous villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
A country as varied as Norway naturally leads to many possibilities—and plenty of questions. Though you may know enough about Oslo or Bergen, what's a vacation like in the villages? On the fjords? Up north to the Arctic Circle? Preparation is key for any vacation to go off without a hitch, so here are the basics for your first trip to Norway.
Go beyond the stunning islands and emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay, and get a taste of the local lifestyle on this five-day trip to southern Thailand. You'll kayak through the lush jungle, unwind on pristine beaches, and eat authentic Thai food with a local family on your homestay in a small fishing village.
Perfect for avid motorcyclists and those seeking an off-the-beaten-track adventure, this 6-day tour winds through quiet back roads to charming Corsican villages, beautiful beaches, and some of the best hotels on the island.
Hiking is a shared passion for kimkim traveler Esther Yoon and her recently retired dad, so Nepal - a trekker's paradise - seemed like the perfect choice for a father-daughter adventure. Interested in the culture and beauty of Nepal without the crowds, they chose the Manaslu Circuit: a beautiful 15-day trek circling the eighth-highest peak in the Himalayas.
A two-week visit to Peru allows travelers to comfortably combine Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley with one of the country's more remote regions. Enjoy the culture and history of the ruins and villages surrounding Cusco and take a jungle excursion into the Amazon on the same trip. Or head north to the archaeological wonders of Kuelap and Chachapoyas. A trip of this length also means more opportunities for trekking, including multiday treks on the Inca Trail.
Vibrant Marseille, charming Aix-en-Provence, and historic Avignon: pay a visit to every quintessential locale in Provence on this comprehensive tour. With a perfect balance of outdoor activities and cultural experiences, this itinerary will check every box on your list of things to see and do in this lovely region of Southern France.
This 5-day trip follows in the footsteps of Charles Darwin who documented the flora and fauna along Chile's southern coast. Traveling by sea and land you'll observe the extraordinary wildlife and birds of Chiloé Island, the second largest island in Chile after Tierra del Fuego. Visits to quaint fishing villages where you'll enjoy a traditional "curanto" meal and experience local culture round off this unique experience.
Planning a trip to Norway? Make the most of your visit with a standout stay in one of these alternatives to traditional hotels. Spend an unforgettable night in a lighthouse, igloo, or fisher's cabin, and you'll have something to write about.
The idea of family is central to Jordanian culture, so it should come as no surprise that Jordan is an incredibly family-friendly destination. From north to south, Jordan offers active, educational adventures for travelers of all ages.
Ecuador is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries: in this small but breathtakingly varied nation, you can visit tropical beaches, volcanoes, cloud forest and jungle all on the same day. Ecuador is also steeped in culture, with colonial Spanish churches, pre-Columbine archaeology, and bustling indigenous markets. The icing on the cake is the incredible Galapagos archipelago which belongs to Ecuador. From the Andes to Amazon, here are our main highlights.
Spend four days taking advantage of the natural beauty of the town and hinterlands of San Pedro de Atacama. Visit geysers, volcanoes, valleys and salt flats on this trip around the arid Chilean plateau and be wowed by the formidable grandeur of the Andes at every turn.
Lima is one of South America's most cosmopolitan cities. New boutique hotels are popping up overnight in the hip neighborhoods of Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro, and beyond. There are artsy hotels, bohemian hotspots, swish modernist joints bathed in white, and plenty of options in between that cater to all tastes and budgets.
The former capital of the Incas, Cusco is today a bustling city that attracts scores of travelers for its ancient Incan remains, Andean culture and Spanish colonial splendors. Small stonewalled alleyways spill onto impressive plazas full of brightly dressed indigenous women, while tucked away are surprisingly excellent museums, quirky nightlife venues, and stylish clothing stores. This guide will direct you toward the best Cusco has to offer.
City slickers who like to hoof it will love this weeklong itinerary in Colombia spotlighting two of Latin America’s most exciting (and mountainous) hubs. The trip starts in the sophisticated capital of Bogotá where you'll have time to soak in the culture, restaurants and nightlife. From here, take a day-trip to the highlands to visit the region's salt mines. Next, it's a flight to Medellín, the scenic metropolis in the midst of a transformation after a turbulent past. With year-round spring temps and a free metrocable, there's plenty to see and do. Take a hike in lakeside Guatapé to round out this fun adventure.
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