Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
A friend of ours has just left Canada for a trip to Peru, with a visit to Machu Picchu as the focal point of his two week itinerary. I was happy to share our Peru stories and enjoyed reflecting on our Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu (here’s a more detailed account of our hike).
As my friend and I talked about the many things to do in Peru, I realized we’ve only posted a few photos from our experience hiking the Inca Trail in 2009. To rectify this, I thought it would be fun to travel back in time five years and share some of our favourite photos from the popular 4-day trek.
Although we only had our point and shoot camera with us at the time, which I still regret, we think these photos do a great job capturing the experience.
The start of the trail, joined by an Aussie and our guide Umberto (the guy taking this photo)
Sights from Day 1
Team of porters passing us to set up camp
Campground on night 1
Start of Day 2. Lot’s of stairs.
How’s that for a view?
Our mission for the morning, to hike over that pass (known as Dead Woman’s Pass)
Looking back at the morning’s progress…
Taking a photo break. It’s a slow pace at 4,200 meters (13,700 feet)
We made it! It’s all down hill from here… literally
The top of Dead Womans Pass, the highest point of the hike at 4,200 m (13769 ft)
We started at the bottom of that valley… this was the view 5 hours later.
Above the clouds. Snow capped Andes Mountain Range in the distance
The end of day 2
Morning views near our camp site. Day 3 begins
First of many Incan archaeological sites visited on day 3
Exploring an old Incan fortress
Going down was often harder than going up
Visiting Incan sites every day is what separates the Inca Trail from other treks in the area
Celebratory beer at the end of Day 3. Tomorrow morning, we reach Machu Picchu.
Crossing the Sun Gate to catch our first glimpse of Machu Picchu
Mission accomplished!
For those looking to hike the Inca Trail, we used G Adventures and had a great experience. Here’s a link for deals and specials with G Adventures.
Read more from our travels to Peru
- A Visual Tour of the Colca Canyon in Peru
- Huacachina – The Peruvian Desert Oasis
- Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru
- Pictures of Machu Picchu, the Lost Incan City in Peru
- There is MUCH more to Peru than Machu Picchu
- Hiking to Machu Picchu, Peru
Have you visited Peru? Did you hike the Inca Trail?
Share your story and travel tips in the comments below
Looks incredible and awesome pics that are more inspiring than most I have seen. I am not so worried about the physical but I can’t stand hiking in a group, and doing it for days on end would be annoying to me but I know deep down I must do this one day because I love archaeology and hiking. Thank you for sharing!
We were lucky, it was only us and one other person. But, I think groups can get as large as 15? Although our guide said it was unusual to have such a small group.
Amazing! Love the fog, makes everything look mystical. We had a trip planned to Machu Picchu two years ago but then the opportunity came up to move to Shanghai so we canceled the trip. I’ll get there someday!
Shanghai is an adventure too! Hope your enjoying your time there.
Great photos! I go back and forth on whether I actually want to hike the Inca trail. These pictures are definitely convincing (even if you say it was exhausting!) Do you feel like the trail was the best or only way to see some of the archaeological remains?
I’m still amazed that the porters can hike those trails so easily and with a huge pack!
Yes, it was the best way. It was a tough hike for sure, but it was the most rewarding hike we have ever done. So, if you can, try to do the hike. You will thank us….at the end 😉
Thanks for sharing these great photos. It’s very inspiring for me as I’m planning Peru as my next destination.
It’s an awesome country. You should visit at least once, it has a lot to offer.
Epic journey!
Indeed it was 😉
A wonderful experience – and great photos! Loved this post, you guys!
Thank you Lori
I almost made it to the Inca Trail but my travel partner ended up in the hospital with food poisoning for 3 days. We took the train instead. 🙁
Thanks for sharing your pics!
The same thing happened to a couple who was going to be on the hike. The night before, he got food poisoning from a burger.
Sorry to hear that happened to you. Hopefully you can do it another time.
Great photos! Machu Picchu is one of the few “tourist” attractions in the world that I would do again in a heartbeat. Simply amazing.
p.s. I miss you.
Haha, we miss you too Gareth! We agree, we will likely visit again one day.
Great, great pictures. What a wonderful adventure. Did you guys get altitude sickness at all? We got a little winded in Cuszco.
Yes, we felt the altitude. Our guide kept reminding us to go slow. That helped a lot.
what an amazing adventure!! Totally on my bucket list. Thank you for the photos, beautiful even with the little camera!
Thanks Kim.
wow looks like a tough hike! but also looks very cool
We cannot wait to see Machu Picchu! We “plan” to visit South America next year and we won’t miss this trek, that’s for sure.
Love the photos, even if they are from your point and shoot 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Loveyour sight very helpful as i am backpacking Soth America next year from End of April. just wondering 4x days hike. How many hours do you walk a day. and is it at your own leisure or specific time set.
On my list for 2015 🙂
Beautiful pictures, I’m sure it was a lovely hike. Thanks for sharing!
wonder about the danger for people who fear heights, azs myself.’
your photos dont look as dangerous as others I have seen, I cant go near a cliff, so…is there a way around that (cliffs, etc, narrow precipices)
thanks for great stories.