The Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu, 3rd: Includes the Vilcabamba Trek & Lima City Guide (Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu: Includes Santa Teresa Trek, ) Price: $13.57 Pages: 336, Edition: 3rd, Paperback, Trailblazer Publications  

Long Distance hiking along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Known as the Lost City of the Incas, Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu in 1911, guided to the site by a young Quechan boy. There were people living there at the time from the time it was abandoned by the Incas. And in 1960 the Inca Trail was discovered, it was part of more than 23,000 km of roads built by the Incas in South America.

The Inca Trail is perhaps the most popular long distance hiking trail in South America.

When you arrive in Cuzco take a few days to get used to the attitude. If arriving from Lima, the capital, you have gone from sea level to 11,000 feet within one hour. Walking up a set of stairs will leave you breathless, although you do get used to it.

Your 3-4 day hike to Machu Picchu is along an ancient path made of interlocking stones. On your guided tour porters will assist carrying the camp gear, food and more things.

Your hike can start at either Chillca (Kilometre 76 of the Cuzco-Machu Picchu Railway) or the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo with its Inca ruins (Kilometre 88) where you climb Dead Woman’s Pass, highest on the Inca Trail.

Along the way you will pass Inca ruins, the Pacaymayo Valley and Inti Punku, the gateway to the sun. GAP Adventures is a well respected tour operator with a number of packages along the trail. A great resource is The Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu Trek Guide

 The ruins of Machu Picchu are set on the side of a green mountain with a tributary of the mighty Amazon deep in the jungle below. Surrounding you as far as you can see are other mountains. What you might hear are some of the guides playing traditional Peruvian folk songs with a flute, El Condor Pasa is one made famous by Paul Simon (he added his own words). The scenery is truly beyond words. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Historic Sanctuary and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Although it is the most visited site in Peru, much is unknown, it is believed that Machu Picchu was built as a ceremonial center to worship the Sun God and as an observatory for the solstice sunrise. 

You will return to Cuzco by train which is an interesting ride itself. Along the way local people will try to sell you goods as the train frequently stops a number of times along the way. The Peruvian villagers are famous for their hats and colourful clothing.

The Peruvian government has regulations regarding the number of hikers on the Inca Trail so reservations should be made well in advance.

Hike the Inca Trail for a once in a lifetime experience.