The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru (Camino Inka)

The Inca Trail is a 42.5km (26.5 mile) mountain trail to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you see many Inca ruins, ancient settlements and farming terraces. On the last stretch of the trail, you pass through the Sun Gate, the traditional entrance, where you get a first glimpse at the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. 

Machu Picchu is a 15^th century Inca site high above the Sacred Valley in the Andes Mountain Range. Many believe it was an estate for the Inca emperor, Pachacut and was a sacred religious site with many temples and holy altars. It was built in 1450 and only 100 years later, it was abandoned. It is unsure why but many believe it was because of the Spanish Invasion (or fear of) or a disease that wiped out the whole community.

Johnny and I decided to do the 4 day Inca Trail with Llama Path travel agency. We booked a few months in advance as there are only a limited number of people allowed to climb the Inca Trail route each year (due to erosion). Note that there are other routes up to Machu Picchu that you can book closer to the time and they vary in duration. There is also a train that you can take directly to the ancient city if you don't fancy the hiking and camping! 

Day 1 - Cusco to Km82 to Ayapata
Distance: 16km
Time: 7 hrs
Max Altitude: 3300m / 10, 829 ft

The trail climbed gently up the Cusichaca Valley on the first day where we passed by the Inca site of Llactapata. The agricultural terraces the Incas used to plant crops were spectacular. Our campsite for the night was at Ayapata. This was my first time ever camping! Luckily we had the amazing porters who carried our bags, tents and food and a chef to cook for us! 

Day 2: Ayapata - Chaquicocha

Distance: 12km

Time: 10 hrs

Max Altitude: 4, 250m / 13, 779 ft

Today was the hardest day of the trek - we trekked 16km and crossed 2 high passes (Dead Woman's Pass was the highest and most difficult due to the high altitude.) We also passed two ancient Inca sites, Runcuraccay and Sayacmarca. I found the altitude very difficult on day 2 and had a cry or two along the way! I actually asked Johnny how much he reckoned a helicopter would cost to collect us-I was willing to pay anything!! I had a very sore knee also which was slowing me down, along with the fact that I was pretty unaware how difficult it was going to be and that people train for months to climb this trail and we had done nothing for it!! Our campsite that night was at Chaquicocha. 

Day 3: Chaquicocha - Winay Wayna

Distance: 9km

Time: 6 hrs

Max Altitude: 3, 680m

The third day was a lot easier than the previous two. We witnessed more Inca sites, Phuyupatamarca and Winay Wayna, with the latter being one of the most impressive so far. My feet were blistering and since there was so long left to hike, I had to wear all 4 pairs of socks that I had brought on the trip! (The used ones and my last pair for the following day!) Johnny's feet were getting soaked through his runners so had to put his feet into plastic bags and then into his runners!! (Again, how unprepared were we!? Where was his hiking shoes like everyone else!??) We camped at Winay Wayna that night. We were very excited to finally get to Machu Picchu the next morning.. 

Day 4: Winay Wayna - Machu Picchu

Distance: 5.5km

Time: 2hrs

Max Altitude: 2, 680m

We got up at 3am and headed straight to the checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu. After a long wait and once the sun was up, the site opened and we set off for the ancient city. After climbing the 'Killer Gringo Steps' we entered through the Sun Gate where we got our first glimpse of Machu Picchu.

Once we made our way down to the ruins, we had a guided tour and time to look around ourselves. It was really incredible.  It was definitely the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I don't know how I made it to the end but was very proud that I did! That afternoon we got a train back to Ollantaytambo from where we got on a bus back to Cusco-to a well deserved and badly needed shower!