treking inca trail – Part 1

As I have become a more experienced filmmaker, I have come to the opinion that for me, it is people that make interesting viewing. This is one of the main reasons I enjoy travelling. I like going to unusual places and meeting people from all walks of life. Perhaps if people travelled more, the world would be better educated about others and there would be less racism.

This is part of a 2-hour documentary I made of my travels across South America in the summer of 2007, and focuses on a 4-day hike through the Inca Trail. This is part 3 of 3, so be sure to view all 3 parts if you want to see the full journey.

treking inca trail – part 2

trekking inca trail – part 3

Our guide was a man named Wilfredo, who lives in Peru. Our porters were also local to the area, provided by a company called Llama Trek. They really did go out of their way for us; just take a look at the food they cooked. On my travelling companions birthday they baked a cake and all the ingredients were carried with the rest of their stuff.

Those who have ever thought about walking the Inca Trail will find this a useful insight into what to expect. I hope others will find it educational and informative. The walk is hard as you will see, but anybody who is reasonably fit should be able to complete it without any major problem. You will need extended insurance because of the high altitude.

Most people do this walk in groups of about 200, but ours was a group of 6 and we really felt we benefited from the personal service. We didn’t “do” the Inca Trail to cross it off the list, as some people would put it. We experienced it and it was a memory that will stay with us forever.

Without wanting to sound like an advert, I would definitely recommend Intrepid Expeditions to anyone not interested in being kept in a plastic bubble and wrapped up in cotton wool, but who wants to walk off the beaten track and see the place for what it is, and to meet real people and be shown around by local guides.We used an Australian company called Intrepid Expeditions and our guide was a man named Wilfredo, who lives in Peru. Our porters were also local to the area, provided by a company called Llama Trek. They really did go out of their way for us; just take a look at the food they cooked. On my travelling companions birthday they baked a cake and all the ingredients were carried with the rest of their stuff.

Those who have ever thought about walking the Inca Trail will find this a useful insight into what to expect. I hope others will find it educational and informative. The walk is hard as you will see, but anybody who is reasonably fit should be able to complete it without any major problem. You will need extended insurance because of the high altitude.

Most people do this walk in groups of about 200, but ours was a group of 6 and we really felt we benefited from the personal service. We didn’t “do” the Inca Trail to cross it off the list, as some people would put it. We experienced it and it was a memory that will stay with us forever.

Without wanting to sound like an advert, I would definitely recommend Intrepid Expeditions to anyone not interested in being kept in a plastic bubble and wrapped up in cotton wool, but who wants to walk off the beaten track and see the place for what it is, and to meet real people and be shown around by local guides.
trekking inca trail

Inca Trail Map:

This map it gives you a bird’s eye view of South Americas most popular and world famous Inca Trail. The Inca Trail map includes many different archaeological sites along the trail to Machu Picchu such as Lulluchapampa, chachabamba and Winay Wayna.

Print your inca trail map.

Download your inca trail map on your Phone.

Inca trail booking:

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is by far Peru’s most popular trek but there are many other tours you can go on to explore the magical Incan Empire.

The World famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu is South America’s best hiking experience.

Inca Trail Booking.com

Inca trail to Machupicchu 4days -3nights

The Inca trail (Cápac Ñan, in Quechua) is the name of the road built by the Incas that connected all the different parts of their vast empire. During the time of the Inca’s, Cusco was the center of the Inca Empire and these trails connected Cusco with Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and the North of Argentina.  Today many of the trails that connected to other countries have disappeared, deteriorated or been overgrown with forest.

The main trail still existing from Incan Empire is the famous Inca trail.  It is 82 kilometres in length and runs from Piscacucho and crosses the ancient towns of Huayllabamba, Warmiwañuska, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Wiñaywayna, Intipunku and finally connects to the Lost City of the Incas(the Citadel of Machu Pichu). These trails will take you roughly four days hike.

When you take the Inca Trail expect to see the most majestic views of the Andes, many amazing sunrise and sunsets and arrive in the mysterious magical and energetic Seventh Wonder of the World.

After you complete the Inca Trail you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.  This hike is an unforgettable experience and will touch you with the incredible archeological ruins, the beautiful flora and fauna, the wildlife, the mystical forests and clouds clinging to the Andes. The history and legend of this place are certain to make this an adventure to remember.

Another alternative to the Inca Trail Booking: The  Salkantay Trail: 5 days – 4 nights

This is an incredible adventure where you will trek  some of the most astonishing Andean landscapes with tropical rainforests, wildlife, ruins and majestic views.

The trail starts from Cusco and passes through Mollepata(Cruz Pata), Challacancha, Salcantaypampa, Ichupata, Wayracmachay,  Miskabamba, Rayampata, Puerte Ruinas to Machu Picchu.

During the Trek you will see the panoramic and snow capped mountains of Nevada Salkantay, Umantay, Padreoc, Pumasillo, Wayracmachay and catch a glimpse of the beautiful valley of Vilcabamba.

You will also stop in Collpapampa to visit the medicinal thermal baths, see the 11 waterfalls (50 metres high) of Pacche and see the archeological Inca ruins of  Llactapata, Vaquería and Platerayoc.

On the last day you will camp in Llactapata, which has a magical view over Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and Salkantay.

If you’ve decided to hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, please keep in mind that the daily number of people accessing the trail is restricted and a government-issued Inca trail trekking permit is required. Please check availability of permits before making your Inca trail booking.

Before making an Inca Trail booking please ensure:

You have a valid passport for at least 6 months after the date that you enter Peru. Without your passport information we will not be able to get you a trek permit.
For US citizens please click here for information on how to get your passport in a hurry. Hyperlink here: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/hurry/hurry_831.html

The exact information on your passport that you send us will be written on your trek permit. After purchasing the permit we cannot change the date of trek departure or change the name of the person doing the trek. When you start the Inca Trail, government representatives will check your passport details against the details on the trek permit. If the details are not the same then you will not be allowed to start the trek. If the personal information you provided for the Inca trail permit is not accurate and the permit has to be re-issued, an  $8US dollar fee will apply.

(If any member of your group does not have their passport number or is waiting for a new passport please wait until all information is available before making the Inca Trail booking.)

If you already have your Inca Trail Booking, here is a list of useful things to take with you on your trek:

1. Good hiking shoes
2. Warm sleeping bag
3. plastic to cover your bag(from the rain)
4. raincoat
5. 2 pairs of clothes (packed in a plastic bag)
6. warm sweater/jumper
7. Warm jacket
8. Flashlight(torch) and Batteries
9. Waterbottles and tablets to purify the water (very important)
10. Sun hat
11. Sun Block/ Suncream
12. Insect Repellent
13. Toothbrush & toothpaste
14. Mini first aid kit(with useful things like bandaids, aspirin etc)
15. dried fruit
16. Cookies (Coca cookies are best for energy)
17. Energy sustaining foods and snacks(like Kiwicha bars, integral crackers)
18. Camera

We also recommend you to arrive in Cusco 2 or 3 days before your trek departure to ensure that you are better acclimatized to the high altitude.

Inca Trail Booking.com