Inca Trail

Its going to be AMAZING walking the actual Inca Trails and discover my Peru even more!

Physically and mentally (especially the day up to 4200m) this was tougher than I expected, but defintely feasible. I did it with full pack, you can hire a porter for your stuff for something like $8/day and only carry a day pack. I went over New Year’s – weather was perfect, a little rainy but never too warm, but unfortunately foggier than I would have liked, and we missed out on alot of great views especially on the last day coming down into Machu Picchu. Once you get to Machu Picchu if you have the time and the legs (it’s mostly up stairs/steep hill) go up Wayna Picchu. I’ve been to Machu Picchu twice and did Wayne once – definitely worth the climb. More on the trail – make sure you have a pair of nicely broken in boots, and a set of hiking poles helps on both the steep downhill and uphill.

hell of a hike, but its well worth it

...is that it is not worth visiting Machu Picchu if you don’t hike the Inca Trail. I was there in December, and there were Orchids blooming alongside the trail, flowers in bloom, and waterfalls. You will arrive at Machu Picchu very early in the morning, and there are only a few people there.

If you arrive by bus, you are herded through turnstiles like it is an amusement park.

after 5 yrs of discussion/saving money/not having time off from work, my best friend from high school and I are finally hiking the inca trail with GAP in June!

Machu Picchu was awesome especially early in the morning before the busses run and it is empty, but I think I would do a 3 day instead of a five day hike next time.

The Inca Trail is an amazing trek that follows the ancient Inca road that went from Cuzco into the jungle and is by far the best way to reach Machu Picchu. The landscapes are absolutely breathtaking. Visiting the Inca sites on the way gives an insight into this amazing culture. The last part, arriving above Machu Picchu early in the morning via the Sun Gate is an unforgetable experience. The trail is not easy though: it starts at 2800 metres above sea level and its highest pass is at 4200 metres so there is a lot of uphill walking at high altitude. But it is definitely feasible if you are reasonnably healthy: I managed to do it although I never ever go to the gym and had never been at such a high altitude.

Peru has some really spectacular scenery with fertile valleys in between enormous mountains. macchu Picchu is definitely the highlight. When we got there it looks just like the pictures and standing there on top of a mountain where the views are already amazing, but then you have this added city who’s contours match the mountain really does make it breathtaking. climbing Huyana Picchu is also worthwile although the temple there is not as good as just climbing to the top