Day 3: Cusco, Peru
Hola, one last time from Cusco!
Today was our final full day in the city before we head into the mountains — and it was a perfect blend of local flavor, hands-on learning, and getting real about the adventure ahead.
Our main activity today was a Peruvian cooking class that started where all great meals begin: the market. San Pedro Market is hard to describe — sensory overload in the best possible way. Peru has over 3,000 varieties of potatoes, and it felt like most of them were on display here. There were piles of dragon fruit and passionfruit, pyramids of corn in every imaginable color, shape, and size. The market itself was a vibrant maze, but thankfully, Mario and Chef navigated it with ease, introducing us to vendors, pointing out key ingredients and sharing stories about their role in traditional Peruvian cooking.
Then: the cooking class. Let’s just say we’re not opening any restaurants soon, but we might be ready to impress at the next dinner party. Under the guidance of Mario and Chef, we tried our hand at classic Peruvian dishes — ceviche and Lomo Saltado. Somehow, everyone’s dish turned out edible (even delicious?), and the group bonded over spices, spills, and some questionable amounts of lime. We all agreed the best meal was Anna Caroline’s personal pizza she made in her private cooking class!
Then in the afternoon we got down to business — we met with our trekking guides for a full briefing and gear check. Lares Pass isn’t a casual stroll — it’s remote, rugged, and very high up. But hearing from the team about the beauty of the trail, the connection to remote communities, and what it means to walk this ancient route (one far less traveled than the classic Inca Trail) reminded us why we came. It’s not just about seeing Machu Picchu. It’s about everything we’ll go through — and grow through — to get there.
We wrapped the day with dinner at Campo, and the energy around the table was unmistakable. Time in Cusco has been so much fun, but we're ready for the trek ahead.
This is the last you’ll hear from us until we’re back from the trek and have seen Machu Picchu with our own eyes. We promise a full recap once we return — stories, photos, laughs, and probably some tales of sore feet. Until then, the incredible Beyond team will keep the updates flowing on our daily itinerary.
Wish us strength, sunshine, and just enough altitude acclimation.
Until then...
Mary and Chandler, signing off from the city of gold