The Inca Trail

by Louise Richardson

There’s a reason why the Inca Trail has been one of the most iconic and popular treks in the world for years; it’s just simply fantastic! At four days long, it’s within the capabilities of most reasonably fit weekend walkers (even ones like me who sit in an office all day long Monday-Friday).

The trek is physically challenging, especially on the long climb up the infamous ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ where the altitude really starts to make a difference, but not to the point where you feel like giving up. The scenery alone is reason to keep going; the undulating lower slopes and the steeper high ones provide a feast for the eyes at all times. And then there are the Inca ruins you come across along the trail which provide an excellent excuse to stop and rest while the guide explains their significance and meaning. You can even see some which are still covered in jungle, just waiting to be excavated. You end each evening on the trail with the sight of your tents already erected by the hard-working trek support team. A warm bowl of water and a welcome coffee also await and the smells of that night’s tasty dinner already being cooked.

Of course, the other reason to dig into your physical reserves and ignore any aching muscles is the lure of Machu Picchu on the last day. As you pick your way up and down the last sets of uneven Inca paving, you finally see the sungate ahead, the sign that your first sight of Machu Picchu is moments away. As you pass through the gate, it’s suddenly just there below you; the ruins of the famous Inca citadel nestled in the mountains. No words can quite describe the feeling you get when you first see it; that’s why the only way to find out what it’s like is to trek the Inca Trail yourself.

To learn more about the Inca Trail and to see current dates and prices click here.

Louisa Richardson is part of the UK marketing team at Exodus.