It was 4am and I used to be set to begin my Inca Path hike in precisely 4 hours. As a substitute of sleeping peacefully in my mattress in Ollantaytambo, I used to be heaving over the bathroom for what felt just like the 100th time.
This was not on account of nerves.
Someway, I’d managed to efficiently contract meals poisoning the day earlier than I left to try the toughest bodily problem of my life. Gulp.
I’d all the time wished to go to Machu Picchu however given my journey type – foodie adventures and metropolis walks – it by no means occurred to me to volunteer for a 4-day hike. I’m undoubtedly a take-the-train form of gal; my first tenting journey ever was simply two years in the past. However when the chance to hike the Inca Path on Intrepid Journey’s 7-day Inca Path Specific journey got here my manner, I instantly stated sure. In spite of everything, tens of thousand of individuals hike the path yearly, so I figured some high quality time with the StairMaster and some visits to the sports activities retailers for the fitting gear could be all I wanted.
However don’t get me incorrect: I spent a lot of the month earlier than the path freaking out and Googling survival suggestions. I felt barely higher at our welcome assembly, the place our native chief Victor broke every day down for us. Although it by no means occurred to me that I’d be mountain climbing in less-than-perfect well being.
Earlier that day in Ollantaytambo
Again to the bathroom heaving. Effectively, 4 hours after it. I stood in entrance of the Kilometer 82 signal – the official begin of the Inca Path – and vowed that I might end, it doesn’t matter what. One among my higher traits – or worst, relying on whom you ask – is my stubbornness. And it was really sheer willpower that led me to gawk at Machu Picchu 4 days later.
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So what’s it actually prefer to hike the Inca Path?
To place it bluntly: it’s arduous. I think about myself to be reasonably match however as somebody who has spent her complete life dwelling at sea degree in Los Angeles, the altitude is not any joke. The path itself is full of loads of giant and uneven rocks making it troublesome to evaluate whether or not it’s tougher to ascend or descend on the path.
Regardless of all of this, the hike is price it.
Day 1 of the hike
The primary day of the path is supposed to be an introduction. The trail is comparatively flat and there are many breaks, the place you’ll cease to see spectacular ruins that, for some motive, no person talks about. The path is full of remnants of the Incas, all of that are solely accessible by these mountain climbing the Inca Path. They’re superb.
7 ANCIENT RUINS YOU’LL SEE IF YOU HIKE THE INCA TRAIL
What’s arguably much more superb and spectacular is the porters. You’ll be huffing and puffing your manner up the path at a tortoise’s tempo and so they’ll fly previous you, carrying a pack that’s triple the dimensions of the one in your again. Not solely did they begin mountain climbing after we did, however they managed to beat us to the lunch websites, cook dinner and put together superb three-course meals, then do it once more for dinner. That’s not all. At every campsite, they’d scorching water ready for us upon arrival and tea and snacks earlier than dinner. They’re the true MVPs.
Porters are unimaginable
By the point I’d loved my scrumptious three-course lunch on the primary day, I felt assured that the path wouldn’t be as dangerous as I assumed. However by the point I made it to camp three hours later, I wasn’t so positive. The path had instantly gotten rather a lot steeper and we’d already been warned that day 2 is the toughest. What had I gotten myself into?
Day 2 is, in a nutshell, grueling. It’s round 12 hours of mountain climbing together with climbing to the best peak of the path: Useless Girl’s Go at 13,828 ft. Thus far, I can’t resolve if it was that troublesome or if it’s as a result of I desperately wanted to make use of a rest room for an hour earlier than we received to the highest (my meals poisoning signs continued all through the hike).
In principle, going downhill ought to have been simpler however the slippery rocks and my pure clumsiness meant I used to be transferring even slower than I used to be climbing up. Watching the porters and different hikers move me with fast agility was disheartening however all I might do was give myself a pep discuss and keep it up till my well-earned lunch cease.
READ ABOUT THE FOOD YOU’LL EAT ON THE INCA TRAIL
It began raining as we launched into the ultimate leg of the trek for that day and the climate fueled me to maneuver sooner. I used to be particularly involved by the prospect of mountain climbing after darkish, contemplating my tempo. Fortunately, I made it to camp round nightfall. The toughest half was over and there was no turning again.
The trek wasn’t all sunshine and smiles
Regardless of understanding that day 3 could be simply 6 hours of mountain climbing, the primary uphill climb the following day left me on the verge of tears. I used to be dehydrated and sore and nonetheless affected by a queasy abdomen. One among my mountain climbing mates might inform I used to be having a tough time and provided me some rehydration salts. Victor gave me a pep discuss and informed me to go at my very own tempo. And a number of other others informed me they have been extra exhausted than they have been letting on.
I used to be actually grateful to have such a supportive group with me. No person made me really feel dangerous about my glacial tempo; as an alternative, they cheered me on after I was struggling.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TREKKING THE INCA TRAIL, IN 24 PHOTOS
Supportive mountain climbing pals
Shout out to the superb vacationers who helped me survive the hike: Sam, the nurse from the UK who talked me via my well being struggles; Rudolph and Jackie, the South African couple who distracted me with entertaining conversations; Gary, the 60-year-old British man who was fulfilling his dream of 30 years to see Machu Picchu; Andrew, the Brit who was so skilled, he hiked components of the path twice; Brodie, the Aussie who informed spectacular tales of hikes from world wide, and final however not least Ryan, the Canadian who photographed our complete group and made us all look good.
CHECK OUT ALL OF INTREPID TRAVEL’S SMALL GROUP TOURS IN PERU
Ryan captured some particular moments on the path
I additionally wish to thank Victor – Intrepid’s good information whose tales of inspiring Inca Path hikers in the end motivated me to complete.
AN INSPIRING HIKER STORY: “THE ROAD TO MACHU PICCHU STARTS AT 385 LBS”
I want I might say that the third day was straightforward, nevertheless it wasn’t. It concerned hours of downhill climbing on uneven and slippery rocks. My abdomen was always warring with the remainder of my physique. However as soon as we’d made it to our campsite for lunch, I instantly relaxed. I knew we’d be venturing out to see the mind-blowing Wiñaywayna Ruins after lunch however apart from that, we have been basically executed. To have a good time our achievement, the porters made us a cake (with tenting tools…how?!).
The Wiñaywayna Ruins
A lot of the Inca Path constantly blew me away and the porters undoubtedly contributed to that.
We awoke at 2am for the ultimate day of mountain climbing – this time to Machu Picchu. The final leg was a blur: crossing the ultimate verify level, ready on the Solar Gate for the fog to clear (sadly, it didn’t), and climbing the ultimate steps to the spotlight we’d all been ready for: Machu Picchu.
With my superb Intrepid group
Really, nothing can describe the way it felt to place my strolling poles and simply stare in awe on the fog-obscured mountain. I used to be overwhelmed with emotion. I’d simply accomplished the toughest bodily problem of my life.
The fog cleared simply as I clamored to the point of view for my picture. My legs have been shaking and I used to be drained and smelly. However I’d made it and, frankly, I couldn’t imagine it.
It was price it.
I do know it’s cliché to say that it’s extra concerning the journey than the vacation spot however this was the case for mountain climbing the Inca Path. Machu Picchu was magical however what made it extra particular was the 4 grueling days it took to get there. Trudging via the rain, taking toilet breaks in bushes, and forcing myself to place one leg in entrance of the opposite, even after I thought I couldn’t take one step additional – that’s what made it worthwhile.
When you’re on the fence about mountain climbing the Inca Path, e book it.
I discovered it tougher than most individuals make it out to be. But when somebody like me who has by no means handled excessive altitudes, not often hikes or makes use of a StairMaster and is “reasonably match” at greatest can do it whereas being sick then all I’ve received to say is: your psychological stamina is 80% of the battle.
And the reward for all of your troubles? A lot sweeter than taking the prepare.
Able to embark on the journey of a lifetime? Go to Machu Picchu with Intrepid Journey.
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(All pictures taken on Intrepid Journey’s Inca Path Specific journey.)