My first steps onto the Inca trail When I took my first steps onto the historic Inca Trail, I was too excited to be nervous about the challenges ahead. I’d received many warnings from my guide, Jose, about what was likely to come: achy knees, shortness of breath as the altitude increased, and maybe even genuine questions of whether I could finish the trek. There was humor in his voice when he shared these warnings, but his message wasn’t a joke: he wanted our group to be prepared for the Inca Trail difficulty ahead. But those first few hours, I wasn’t thinking much about what Jose said. I was too busy chatting with my fellow hikers, oohing and ahhing over the fast-changing microclimates, and getting to know friendly locals along the trail. When we reached our first truly challenging incline a few hours in, my hiking companions and I were tired but determined. Bring it on, we thought. But as the day wore on, and the final hours of the afternoon stretched seemingly forever through endless hills and bridges and complicated mountain turns, we started to doubt ourselves. When we finally reached that evening’s camp, where our porters greeted us with drinks and a warm welcome, we were bone tired. Day One was supposed to be a simple day of acclimating, but it took the wind out of us. Day Two, said to be the toughest part of the trail, loomed large ahead of us - could we do it? From the outset, the Inca Trail might not look too difficult - in relative terms, anyway. It’s 26 miles, the total of a marathon, but instead of crammed into four hours of frantic running, those miles are spread out into four days. Yes, there are steep inclines, we were told, but there were also plenty of even-keeled stretches of the trek. So why, then, do some
My first steps onto the Inca trail When I took my first steps onto the historic Inca Trail, I was too excited to be nervous about the challenges ahead. I’d received many warnings from my guide, Jose, about what was likely to come: achy knees, shortness of breath as the altitude increased,…
While a visit to the iconic Inca citadel Machu Picchu is a must-see highlight of most visitors' trip to Peru, how you experience it, and how you get there is completely up to you, with lots of options to choose from. Remember that sometimes the journey is half the adventure! Here we share information on the best Machu Picchu hiking tours, including the Classic Inca trail and hikes within the citadel itself. Machu Picchu Hiking Tours If you enjoy hiking and trekking and taking in the stunning mountain scenery, there are many options to consider, whether you'd like a small taste of adventure or a full blown multi-day trekking odyssey taking you to the 'lost city of the Incas'. The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu The most famous trek in South America, and deserving the hype with three major ruins that can only be reached on foot along the way. On the classic Inca Trail you traverse arid puna grassland to cloud forest with orchids and hummingbirds to high-altitude mountain passes with spectacular views down the valleys. The finale and highlight is waking up before dawn on day 4, walking through the Sun Gate and looking down at Machu Picchu in the early morning light. The big appeal of the Inca Trail is that it's the ONLY trek where you arrive directly to Machu Picchu, on foot from the trail. Read Danielle's blog - 6 Unexpected Highlights of the Inca Trail. The 4 day / 3 night trek can only be done with an authorised trekking provider, and the trail is tightly regulated with limited permits, so contact us to secure your spot early. One Day Inca Trail If you don't want to camp, or you're short of time and can't commit to a multi-day camping trek, you can still get a taste of the Inca Trail,
While a visit to the iconic Inca citadel Machu Picchu is a must-see highlight of most visitors’ trip to Peru, how you experience it, and how you get there is completely up to you, with lots of options to choose from. Remember that sometimes the journey is half the adventure! Here we…
Inca Trail in Peru - It's Not a Race to the Finish There are hundreds of Inca 'trails' scattered across Peru, relics of the impressive network of roads connecting the Inca Empire. Then there's the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - El Camino Inka in Spanish, the iconic four day trek to Machu Picchu. Of course the crowning glory of taking on the gruelling challenge of the Inca Trail in Peru is arriving at the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. There's a great sense of accomplishment, finally arriving at the iconic complex just as the Incas did - on foot along the stone paths and steps they carved into the mountainside to access the site. But this is a journey that's not just about getting to the finish line. It's four days of discovery and exploration, with many surprises along the way. I recently completed the classic four-day trek, and here are my unexpected highlights of the Inca Trail in Peru. 1. The food: Gastronomy Trail to Machu Picchu You’re hiking for four days, away from civilisation, refrigeration, and electricity. And yet, your Inca Trail chef with the support of a team of porters, whips up the most incredible gourmet Peruvian food three times a day. So in addition to a journey on foot, it really is like an incredible Culinary Tour Peru. Using locally sourced ingredients, freshly pressed organic Peruvian coffee, and experienced chefs, the diversity and quality of what is served up on the Inca Trail is truly impressive. Menus will vary, but the highlights from my recent trip included freshly baked quinoa bread, yuca (cassava) fritters, warming Andean vegetable soup, llomo saltado - a kind of Peruvian-Asian fusion beef stir-fry, and an incredible iced celebration cake on our last night! 2. The flowers: Delicate Orchids on the Mountainside Along the Inca Trail,
Inca Trail in Peru – It’s Not a Race to the Finish There are hundreds of Inca ‘trails’ scattered across Peru, relics of the impressive network of roads connecting the Inca Empire. Then there’s the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – El Camino Inka in Spanish, the iconic four day trek to…
