Walking the Inca Trail is one of those 'do before you die' experiences so although it is not the cheapest of holidays, if its something you have always wanted to do then don't put it of any longer. I walked it in July 2007, the company I went with was Llama travel who were fantastic and I would highly recommend. We were taken to the start of the trail by coach after spending 3 days in Cusco getting used to the altitude, which is a must, although neither my friend or I had a problem other than being a bit breathless on the first day. After getting your passport stamped and receiveing your entrance ticket (only 500 people a day are allowed on the trail including guides and porters] you then cross a wobbly bridge over the Urubamba river and your adventure starts!. The first day breaks you in gentley although it is still a good walk and the more training you have done before you come the more you will enjoy it!, the wonderful porters who carry back packs almost the same size as themselves and wear little sandles on their feet will have run past you, set up tents and cooked lunch, then clap and cheer when you arrive, does make you feel a bit useless!. Then on again after lunch, with a wonderful inca site to see along the way. The camp is all set up when you arrive at the first camp site [yes by the porters who cleared up lunch, packed up and ran past you again] the view from here is stunning, not so the toilets, through out the trail you need a very stong stomach and a clothes peg for your nose,baby wet wipes are also a good idea. The next day is the realy tough walk through 'dead womens pass'and it is hard, endless steps of all sizes bur I am 54 and most of the people I was with were over 40, one of them even had M.S. and most of us were not as fit as we wanted to be but we all made it, just some took longer than others, the guides are great, very supportive and careing. The top of the pass is spectacular and the achivement of you and your fellow travelers is well worth the hard work. On down to the valley below and something well worth noteing is that nearly every one found going down the steps harder on the legs and knees.We got to the camp site at about 2.30 but some of the group didn't get there until 5.30, so its very much go at your own pace, with no shame in going slow. The next day is longest walk going through two passes but it really is so beautilful with the cloud forest and inca tunnels that it is pure pleasure. It was getting dark by the time we reached the camp site after a slight detour to see Winay Wayna a remarkable inca site, The next morning we were up really , really [every morning is very early] and it was raining! sods law that it would rain on the morning we were walking to the sun gate to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu, but a spot of singing kept our spirits up, its not a hard or long walk and although it was disappointing not to see the sunrise we were all very happy and as we started to walk down to Machu Picchu the clouds cleared and we got are first view of this truely seventh wonder of the world, which I won't even try to write about, you have to see it and have that smug smile on your face as you wonder through the amazing buildings all dirty and smelly with the smartly dress people who are starting to arrive by bus, that you and all your new best friends have arrived the only way you should arrive, on foot!! The only other thing I would advise is stay the night at Machu Picchu Pueblo in Aguas Calientes and go back up to the site the next day as its hard to see it all when you are so tired and this hotel is truely lovely and you deserve a bit of spoiling after all your efforts.
More details
Sightseeing
Excellent
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
very helpful
helpful
somewhat helpful
exceptional
very helpful
