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One week ago today I stood at this spot, and now back home in San Francisco it almost feels as if I just imagined it. Even at the time it had a surreal quality. To have heard so much about Machu Picchu and seen so many images, then after four days of tough hiking to actually be standing there in the early morning light with this scene filling my field of vision… Really a unique, incredible experience.
Low clouds covered the peaks we’d hiked through the day before and there seemed to be a good chance Machu Picchu would be hidden under a gray blanket when we arrived. Instead the morning was unusually clear, with blue sky and sunlight on the ruins. Our group had uncanny luck the whole way. And that luck extended to the group itself. The people I hiked with turned out to be great – fun, friendly, laid back, good senses of humor – which made the whole experience that much better.
I’d wanted to do the ‘classic’ four-day Inca Trail hike for a long time and finally made a reservation back in June. The Peruvian government limits the number of people who can start the hike each day to 500 (which usually means only 200 tourists supported by 300 guides/porters/cooks), and typically all the spots are reserved months in advance, so you have to plan ahead. You also have to go with a certified tour operator. I chose Peru Treks and have nothing but good things to say about them.
The logistics make it tricky to fit the Inca Trail hike into a week-long vacation. Most tour operators require you to be in Cusco at least two days in advance so you can acclimate to the altitude. Cusco sits at about 11,000 feet and I can personally confirm that taking some time to adjust, especially coming from sea level, is really important. On my first day in Cusco a short climb up a flight of stairs left me winded and light headed. And just getting to Cusco takes a while. My flight had three legs – SF to San Salvador, to Lima, then to Cusco – which pretty much ate up a full day each way.
So I ended up leaving SF at about midnight on Thursday 10/15, getting to Cusco Friday night 10/16 and spending the weekend there, hiking the Inca Trail from Monday 10/19 through Thursday 10/22, hanging out in Cusco on Friday 10/23, checking out Lima on Saturday 10/24, and finally returning to SF around midnight on Sunday 10/25. Most of the other travelers I met were on much longer trips and I would have loved to have been able to spend more time exploring the rest of Peru. But all things considered I can’t think of many better ways to spend a week – truly an amazing trip. A lot more photos to follow.
In previous posts I tried to describe what it felt like to see Machu Picchu for the first time, just at the moment of sunrise, after hiking for four days to get there. Here's a closeup of the first rays of sunlight hitting the ruins that morning. Taken from the Sun Gate.
I think that's about it for Peru photos... Tomorrow morning I'll start posting some Bay Area shots from the past few weeks.
Machu Picchu is very popular for representing one of the most impressive expressions of architecture and engineering of the Inca civilization. We recommend to book the Machu Picchu tickets 2022 advance
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Peru Set I World Travel Set I Travel Collection I Steve's Website I © Steve Rosset 2009
Machu Picchu, Peru
This shot was taken after a four day hike along the infamous Inca Trail. If you ever have a chance to see Machu Picchu, I highly recommend taking your time and participating on a guided Trek.
The tours are well organized and provide so much more exposure to this amazing part of the world. If you're curious about doing a tour, we had an amazing experience with this local company: www.perutreks.com/about_us.html
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous, interesting and important alternative treks to Machu Picchu due to its wide range of flora, different ecosystems and beautiful landscapes.
Experience this Ausangate Cusco trek with us as we take you to one of the most pristine landscapes in the country, visiting the most sacred and highest peaks of the Cusco´s region.
Machu Picchu is very popular for representing one of the most impressive expressions of architecture and engineering of the Inca civilization. We recommend to book the Machu Picchu tickets 2022 advance
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We passed these ruins of Sayaqmarka on the third day of the Inca Trail hike and had about an hour to explore it. Our guide told us that the Incas discovered a natural spring in the mountainside here, which is one of the reasons they decided to build on this spot. You can still see the elaborate stone aqueduct that channeled water from the spring past many of the rooms.
Most of the hiking on day three took us through terrain classified as cloud forest, which definitely earned its name - as we approached these ruins they kept appearing and disappearing in the mist.
Experience this Ausangate Cusco trek with us as we take you to one of the most pristine landscapes in the country, visiting the most sacred and highest peaks of the Cusco´s region.
Peru is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, combining beautiful landscapes and cultures, ancient and modern, from the #mysterious #Nazca Lines to the enigmatic Machu Picchu. Peru is one of the destinations most visited by foreign tourists since it not only has an #archaeological and monumental wealth, but also a rich culture.
Machu Picchu is very popular for representing one of the most impressive expressions of architecture and engineering of the Inca civilization. We recommend to book the Machu Picchu tickets 2022 advance
.
Generally speaking, the Inca Trail weather varies along the length of the trek and can be pretty unpredictable and difficult to foresee. The Inca trail weather does not only depend on the month of the year, but it also varies as you pass through different microclimates. In other words, the Inca Trail weather can change from day to day and from location to location. You better prepare for variable circumstances.
The temperatures vary from 0ºC, at the highest point (the pass of the Dead Woman) to 22ºC. In Machu Picchu.
The final destination of the Inca Trail is Machu Picchu, which is located in a sub-tropical area. Geographically, the Inca city is located in the eco-region of the ‘yunga – Quechua’, which presents a warm sub-tropical climate with intense rains.
Read more: Inca Trail Weather
Generally speaking, the Inca Trail weather varies along the length of the trek and can be pretty unpredictable and difficult to foresee. The Inca trail weather does not only depend on the month of the year, but it also varies as you pass through different microclimates. In other words, the Inca Trail weather can change from day to day and from location to location. You better prepare for variable circumstances.
The temperatures vary from 0ºC, at the highest point (the pass of the Dead Woman) to 22ºC. In Machu Picchu.
The final destination of the Inca Trail is Machu Picchu, which is located in a sub-tropical area. Geographically, the Inca city is located in the eco-region of the ‘yunga – Quechua’, which presents a warm sub-tropical climate with intense rains.
Read more: Inca Trail Season
And finally here we are at Machu Picchu on our fourth day. Back row, from left to right: me, Zannah, Jeremy, Lee, Tam, Ryan, David, Sam, and Sandy. Front row, from left to right: Larry, Felicia, Ruth, Liz, the other Ruth, and Kim.
Experience this Ausangate Cusco trek with us as we take you to one of the most pristine landscapes in the country, visiting the most sacred and highest peaks of the Cusco´s region.
Peru Trek - 2009
Teacher Joanne Mason is heading off trekking in Peru to raise money for Marie Curie in memory of her dad..
Holden Clough Primary School, Ashton where she teaches have raised the money for the trip..
Pic - Joanne with puipls Gabrielle Savill (8) & Adam Kershaw (8)..
And here’s our group right after we reached Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point on the Inca Trail at 13,800 feet (4,215 meters) above sea level. We'd just spent the morning hiking up 4,000 feet in elevation - which was definitely tough.
Standing up, from left to right: me, David, Felicia, Larry, Ruth, Tam, Sandy, Sam, Zannah, Lee, Jeremy, Liz and Ryan. Kneeling: Kim on the left, the other Ruth on the right.
The Machu Picchu 4 day Hike has been created for all adventurers who would like to gain a new experience on this popular 4 day hike to Machu Picchu
When our Inca Trail group arrived at Winaywayna, our campsite for the third and final night of the hike, our guide casually mentioned that there was a ruin nearby that we could check out if we wanted. It’s just a 5-minute hike away, he said – does anyone want to go? We said sure, why not, expecting to see a few stone huts. The next thing you know we’re standing at this spot, overlooking one of the coolest Inca ruins on the whole trip, topped only by Machu Picchu the next morning.
Each of the four days of the classic Inca Trail hike is different. The first day is relatively easy, with a gradual uphill climb. The second day is the most physically demanding, as you struggle up almost 4,000 feet to Dead Woman’s Pass and then make a steep descent to the campsite. The third day, when this photo was taken, is the longest. You hike over two more passes and enter the Peruvian cloud forest, passing one incredible Inca ruin after another. The ruin of Qonchamarca is in the bottom-right of this photo, and from the spot where I took this shot the trail turns left, runs up to another ruin (Sayaqmarka), then curves back down again and takes you right past Qonchamarca.
The weather here changed constantly. By the time I made it to that ruin, the valley had cleared completely and then over the next hour it clouded right back up again.
As I mentioned before, a big part of the reason I had such a good trip to Peru was the group I hiked with on the Inca Trail, so this set of Peru photos would be incomplete without some photos of the gang.
Here we are on the first day at the very start of the trail. Front row, from left to right: Tam, me, Zannah, Sandy, Ruth #1, Felicia, Liz, Kim, Lee and Larry. Back row, from left to right: Ruth #2, Jeremy, David, Sam and Ryan. We were all English speakers, but I was the only American – the others were Australian, English, Scottish, and Canadian.
Here are Ryan and Liz at the Inca ruins of Sayaqmarka during our walk through the cloud forest on the third day of the hike.
Here’s Ruth at the Inca ruins of Sayaqmarka during our walk through the cloud forest on the third day of the hike.
Here are Sam and Sandy yelling over to Ryan, who appears to be proclaiming his mastery of Abra de Runkuracay, the second major mountain pass on the Inca Trail.
The Peruvian Andes, running like a backbone down the centre of the country, contain mesmerizing variations in landscape that make for some of the best trekking in Peru.
The all trails are finishing in the lost city of the Incas Machu Picchu
The most popular trail in Cusco are the following
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Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.
www.samtravelperu.comSalkantay trek, Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek, Adventure Travel Specialists, Advanture treks Specialists, Choquequirao Treks, www.samtravelperu.com, Treks-to-Machu-Picchu, Salkantay-Trek, Salkantay-Trek-5n-4n, www.samtravelperu.com
Experience this Ausangate Cusco trek with us as we take you to one of the most pristine landscapes in the country, visiting the most sacred and highest peaks of the Cusco´s region.
Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.
Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.
Saul-Alvarez-Montalvo, www.samtravelperu.com, Inca Trail Tours, Peru-Treks, lares trek peru, lares trek reviews, inca trail to Machu picchu, salkantay trekking
Experience this Ausangate Cusco trek with us as we take you to one of the most pristine landscapes in the country, visiting the most sacred and highest peaks of the Cusco´s region.
Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.
Generally speaking, the Inca Trail weather varies along the length of the trek and can be pretty unpredictable and difficult to foresee. The Inca trail weather does not only depend on the month of the year, but it also varies as you pass through different microclimates. In other words, the Inca Trail weather can change from day to day and from location to location. You better prepare for variable circumstances.
The temperatures vary from 0ºC, at the highest point (the pass of the Dead Woman) to 22ºC. In Machu Picchu.
The final destination of the Inca Trail is Machu Picchu, which is located in a sub-tropical area. Geographically, the Inca city is located in the eco-region of the ‘yunga – Quechua’, which presents a warm sub-tropical climate with intense rains.
Read more: Inca Trail Weather by Month
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, " Days Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tour Specialists, Peru Treks, Adventure Peru Treks Specialists, www.samtravelperu.com, saul alvarez Montalvo, Inca-Trail-To-Machu-Picchu, www.samtravelperu.com, Inca-Trail-to-Machu-Picchu
Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.
Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.
Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.
Cuzco Adventure
Cusco Zipline
The tour takes approximately 2 hours and starts at the base camp with an orientation from our guides.
After this, a 20 min walk will take you to the beginning of the circuit, which consists of a total of 2500m of cables divided into 7 sections.
After the third cable, there is a rockclimb up a vertical ladder (Via Ferrata) more than 150m above the Rio Sacsara.
Finally, there’s a short walk back down to base camp, where equipment is returned.
The Canopy Tour includes all equipment (harness, helmet and gloves) as well as the guided and supervised tour of the canopy.