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Inca Trail and Machu Pichu...an unforgettable 4 day backacking hike in the Andes!

South America » Peru » Cusco » Inca Trail
November 20th 2008

Published: November 26th 2008
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A quick summary of the 4 day hike to Machu Pichu...the famous Inca Trail!A quick summary of the 4 day hike to Machu Pichu...the famous Inca Trail!
A quick summary of the 4 day hike to Machu Pichu...the famous Inca Trail!
Wow...not sure what else to say but WOW. And hope you enjoy the pics. :)

PS. I highly recommend the tour group that I chose to go with on the Inca Trail. They are called "Peruvian Treks" and are a nonprofit agency based in Cusco. They go above and beyond to make sure their paying clients and very hard working employees are well taken care of. The difference in the working conditions between our porters and the porters working for the other for- profit tour companies was OBVIOUS!!! Again, if you are planning to do the Inca Trail...please consider hiring this company to take you. You will not regret it and will have an absolutely unforgettable experience!
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Sonya Vartanian
Chona
Chona
I live in Long Beach, Southern California. I love my job teaching 7th grade Biology/Health in Long Beach. However, for years I have dreamed of taking off to South America for a few months on my own with just my backpack...so now is the time to do it. I am very excited, scared, curious, and so much more. Can't wait for the adventures to begin. ... full info
Joined: May 17th 2008
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Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in ...more info
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Our group of 15 hikers!Our group of 15 hikers!
Our group of 15 hikers!
5 of us are from SoCal, couple others from the US, England, Belgium, Poland, Australia...fun group!
It started to rain as soon as we started hiking...I felt so cool with my $1.50 rain poncho over my backpack.It started to rain as soon as we started hiking...I felt so cool with my $1.50 rain poncho over my backpack.
It started to rain as soon as we started hiking...I felt so cool with my $1.50 rain poncho over my backpack.
Day 1 begins at kilometer 82 on the Inca Trail...a hike of 4 days, several thousand feet up and then down...about 45 km in all. Ready, set, go!!!!Day 1 begins at kilometer 82 on the Inca Trail...a hike of 4 days, several thousand feet up and then down...about 45 km in all. Ready, set, go!!!!
Day 1 begins at kilometer 82 on the Inca Trail...a hike of 4 days, several thousand feet up and then down...about 45 km in all. Ready, set, go!!!!
In line to get our passports checked...only 500 people total are allowed on the trail per day. I had to reserve my permit 3 months ago!In line to get our passports checked...only 500 people total are allowed on the trail per day. I had to reserve my permit 3 months ago!
In line to get our passports checked...only 500 people total are allowed on the trail per day. I had to reserve my permit 3 months ago!
Porters lined up...Porters lined up...
Porters lined up...
...to get their loads weighed. They are not allowed to carry more than 20 kilos...or about 45 pounds...but I saw so many porters on the trail whose loads were OBVIOUSLY much heavier...poor guys!
Getting ready for the intense and difficult hike with some coca leaves!Getting ready for the intense and difficult hike with some coca leaves!
Getting ready for the intense and difficult hike with some coca leaves!
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My new friend Patrick and his fiancee Mary from DC were true Obama supporters...even had a campaign pin on his backpack!My new friend Patrick and his fiancee Mary from DC were true Obama supporters...even had a campaign pin on his backpack!
My new friend Patrick and his fiancee Mary from DC were true Obama supporters...even had a campaign pin on his backpack!
Super ironic...the Euro and US tourists are much taller and bigger than the small and short locals...Super ironic...the Euro and US tourists are much taller and bigger than the small and short locals...
Super ironic...the Euro and US tourists are much taller and bigger than the small and short locals...
...but hire the porters to carry their personal backpacks for them. This poor guy had at least 3 regular sized (huge) backpacks he was hired to carry while there were many tourists who were literally bare backed. FYI--I carried my own pack. Pain in the butt, but worth it.
Walked through a small community that still uses the same irrigation canals created in PreInca times...very coolWalked through a small community that still uses the same irrigation canals created in PreInca times...very cool
Walked through a small community that still uses the same irrigation canals created in PreInca times...very cool
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First of MANY Inca sites along the trail that only hikers on the Inca Trail ever get to see as they make their way to the most famous Inca site, Machu PichuFirst of MANY Inca sites along the trail that only hikers on the Inca Trail ever get to see as they make their way to the most famous Inca site, Machu Pichu
First of MANY Inca sites along the trail that only hikers on the Inca Trail ever get to see as they make their way to the most famous Inca site, Machu Pichu
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We arrived to our lunch camp to find a dining tent set up...complete with basins of heated hot water, soap, and towels so we could wash our hands before we eat! Wow...such service in the wilderness! The porters treated us like kings and queens!We arrived to our lunch camp to find a dining tent set up...complete with basins of heated hot water, soap, and towels so we could wash our hands before we eat! Wow...such service in the wilderness! The porters treated us like kings and queens!
We arrived to our lunch camp to find a dining tent set up...complete with basins of heated hot water, soap, and towels so we could wash our hands before we eat! Wow...such service in the wilderness! The porters treated us like kings and queens!
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