Hike the Classic Inca Trail

Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 14,000 Feet

Hiking Peru’s Inca trail to Machu Picchu 4d/3n has breathtaking Andes mountain vistas and a close encounter with mysterious ancient ruins. First, however, we must endure three days of acclimation in Cuzco “book nice Kondor Path Tours in & around Cuzco state”, the Peruvian Capital, the city is 11,200 feet above sea level and has plenty of shopping and nightlife to keep you entertained while we get used to the thin air from the Andes. The 27-mile hike starts at a place called “kilometer 82 on the Train track” between Cuzco and Machu Picchu Park. Dating from 1450 A.D Machu Picchu was built for the Incan upper class “Hatun Qosqo Runas”. The site was likely abandoned in the mid-17th century out of fear that the Spanish invaders would discover it. They never did.

Sturdy Legs

These days, 500 people from the World per day are allowed on the Inca trail. 300 are local guides and Inca porters who carry food and survival gear, including tents, tables and sits. The remaining 200 are tourists, who had better come prepared with durable, comfortable hiking boots and strong legs. During the adventure trek we can find plants, birds and archaeological sites along the trail. Day 1 was relatively easy, with some minor climbs ending at a camp called Wayllabamba at about 9,700 feet, where Cusqueña beer and soda “Inka Cola” were available.

Gringo Killer

Day 2: offered the biggest challenge, as we ascended to roughly 14,000 feet, yielding postcard-perfect panoramas of the Andes. The grueling climb included a section called “the gringo killer,” with its hundreds of stone steps elevating us higher and higher into ever-thinner air (hiking poles are recommended). Next camp is called Pacaymayo, at 11,822 feet. On Day 3: we started to explore some Inca ruins, many of which had been used as lookout posts for guards of Machu Picchu with some ritual temples too. After several climbs and descents, you arrive to Phuyupatamarka camp 12,024 feet or Wiñaywayna. On Day 4: you descend to Inti Punku “the Sun Gate”, here you get your first up-close look at the lost city of Machu Picchu.