Walk the Inca Trail

The Incan Trail is an amazing experience! the hike is not easy but its vey much do-able. You’ll get to meet some really great people and visit one of the most impressive sites in all of the world.

unfortunately….

anytime soon. I’m giving up on this temporarily.

I used to have very little interest in history or archaeology. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate the accomplishments and lessons of the past (no smartass comments from you youngsters!).

To me, the physical setting of Machu Picchu, in south-central Peru, makes it one of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world.

Apparently it’s possible to visit the site in a single-day trip, reaching it via train and bus. However, to me it would be much more interesting to hike in via the Inca Trail, a 2- to 4- day guided hike leading to the site following some of the original Inca trail system.

This is probably a relatively long-term goal- I don’t see it being completed in the next couple of years.

gonna do it in november and i’m very very excited already – must be a great experience

... got really ill though : (

After staying in Cusco for 3 days I took the train ride to Auges Callientes, and hiked from there to the top of the Gateway to the Sun. Spectacular, and life changing in so many ways…my friends and family said I had a “calmness” around me when I returned home, pretty cool.

I did this two years ago when my sister and her husband were back-packing for a year around South America. My parents and I met them in Cuzco and walked the trail through the breath taking mountains all the way to Machu Pichu. Most amazing hike I’ve ever taken. Totally worth it. And such a work out – at the hostal we stayed at in Aguas Calientes, home of the hot springs, my father was really feeling the effects on his legs. Just click on the picture above to see it in a larger format – we were able to capture some of the beauty and bring it home with us in that picture.

Tired of people, try an alternate trek like the Lares trek…You won’t see any other tourists. The hike is spiritual and the ruins at the end of the 4-6 days is the connection between the spiritual world and the physical one. Be prepared for snow and rain year-round. Five days in Cuzco before the walk is a GREAT investment in enjoying yourself and not getting sick. (The passes are about 15,000 feet or 4800M)

and it isn’t raining, and you really like the stairmaster… do the four day trip, unfortunately you have to have a “guide” and cannot do it by yourself now, but it is worth it.