Went on the Inca Jungle trek which I recommend, The Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu is a four-day, moderate to challenging trek. It includes a variety of activities, such as jungle trekking, mountain biking, rafting, and zip-lining. The Inca Jungle Trek is considered the most adventurous trekking option in the Cusco region, had woken up at 4 AM for the last part of the trek, to be the first ones at Machu Picchu.
Cusco Peru
Most treks to Machu Picchu will start at Cusco
Took a flight from Austin to Lima Peru, after a over night stay in Lima at an Airbnb, took another flight to Cusco, Peru. Due to late night and early morning flights Airbnb worked out good and the host picked and dropped me off to the Airport.
In Cusco with an altitude of over 11000 feet, Give yourself 2 or 3 days in Cusco, to get used to the higher altitude before starting the Machu Picchu Trek. You can also buy oxygen Can with a mask if needed in Cusco.
The best time to hike the is from March to May and from September to mid-December. These months fall before and after the rainy season, providing excellent weather conditions and fewer crowds.
Plaza de Armas Cusco - The center of the city
This plaza has stunning architecture and views of the mountains. It was once the center of the Inca empire and the Spanish conquistadors.
During my stay in Cusco did the walking tour of Cusco, The tour took us through the city, museum and markets.
The walking tour ended at the San Pedro Market. San Pedro Central Market is a large, covered market in Cusco, Peru and is open seven days a week. The market is a few blocks from the main square and is a popular tourist attraction. It's a great way to experience Peruvian culture and buy things you might need for your trek.
During my stay in Cusco did the walking tour of Cusco, The tour took us through the city, museum and markets.
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| Indigenous Quechua People, Cusco, Peru |
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| Cuzco’s Traditional, Hand-Made Bread |
The walking tour ended at the San Pedro Market. San Pedro Central Market is a large, covered market in Cusco, Peru and is open seven days a week. The market is a few blocks from the main square and is a popular tourist attraction. It's a great way to experience Peruvian culture and buy things you might need for your trek.
Machu Picchu Trek
Get a good slip resistant hiking boots before going on a hike, my advice is to spend the extra money and get a good pair. Break them well before starting the hike. I paid US $200 for mine and were slip resistant and water proof. I plan to use them on several other mountain Hikes. Hopefully to Kilimanjaro.
Travel Light, shed the extra pounds. Besides a change of clothes, a rain poncho, the few other things I carried on the hike was Energy bars, hydrating gels, band aids, flash light and alarm watch. Band-Aids came handy as with all the walking I started to get blisters, nothing to bad though. You can also buy coca leaves and chew on them for energy and help with altitude sickness.
Day One the tour van was at the hostel early morning to drive us to the Andes mountains, my start of the Machu Picchu Trek was a mountain Bike ride in the Andes mountain, it rained on us and it was freezing. Regardless it was a great great time, once in a life time experience.
Did white Water Rafting in the Urbamba River, the rapids were not too bad compared to rafting in the Himalayas India
Travel Light, shed the extra pounds. Besides a change of clothes, a rain poncho, the few other things I carried on the hike was Energy bars, hydrating gels, band aids, flash light and alarm watch. Band-Aids came handy as with all the walking I started to get blisters, nothing to bad though. You can also buy coca leaves and chew on them for energy and help with altitude sickness.
Day One the tour van was at the hostel early morning to drive us to the Andes mountains, my start of the Machu Picchu Trek was a mountain Bike ride in the Andes mountain, it rained on us and it was freezing. Regardless it was a great great time, once in a life time experience.
Did white Water Rafting in the Urbamba River, the rapids were not too bad compared to rafting in the Himalayas India
Picture Below, our tour guide put some kind of a henna tattoo on us, the tattoos are washable and they symbolized Inca warriors, Picture below - The Group I was part of that did the trek with me, showing our tattoos. The sheds in the picture is where we stayed the night with a local Peruvian family.
The trek is something that cannot be described, it needs to be experienced, the beauty of the Mountains, rivers and streams along the way. One of my best travels.
Huayna Picchu is a mountain in Peru that rises above Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. The mountain is also known as Wayna Picchu or Wayna Pikchu, which means "Young Peak" in Quechua. The trail to the summit of Huayna Picchu is short but very difficult due to the elevation gain.
Zip Lining in the Andes Mountains, did zip-lining across 6 lines in the mountains. Little nervous on the fist one, but by the 3rd and 4th, I let go off my hands. This was day three.
The trek is something that cannot be described, it needs to be experienced, the beauty of the Mountains, rivers and streams along the way. One of my best travels.
At last made it Machu Picchu, felt like discovering ruins that have never been seen before. The last hike started at 4 AM, and was the most difficult one.
What a great feeling
If you have the energy left, I highly recommend doing the Huyna Picchu climb, below me at Huyna Picchu. Awesome view of Machu Picchu can be seen from Huyna Picchu, you will need to book the additional Huyna Picchu trek when booking your Machu Picchu trek as additional ticket is needed.
Lima
Last Day before returning to Austin I spent the day in Lima, from the airport I took a cab to the city center.I was tired and the cab driver charged me maybe 3 to 5 bucks extra, I didnt want to argue and didnt actually care. Spent a few hours walking, seeing the museums and Churches. Most of them will have some kind tour.
After having lunch with Inca Cola, I decided to go to Miraflores, its by the ocean. I took the tour bus. By the end of the evening, I took a cab to the airport. If you are flying business class and get a voucher to the VIP lounge like I did, and after all the walking, its just the best way to end your journey, worth every penny spent.
Above Picture I took in Lima along the Ocean in Miraflores Lima of “El Beso”. The sculpture is located in the “Parque del Amor” (Park of Love) in the Miraflores district
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| Monumento Inca Pachacutec |
Pachacuti above Photo I took in Cusco. Wiki page on Pachacuti
Have you been or planning to go to Machu Picchu, Comments?
Did you get a chance to taste the hand-made bread? How is it?
ReplyDeleteThat extra hike to Huyna Picchu climb seems like a very difficult one; you must be in great shape to be able to do that on top of everything else. But the view, well that makes it worth it, doesn't it?
I’ve always been fascinated by Machu Picchu, but your post gave me an even deeper appreciation for it! The blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes sounds like a must-see experience. It just went up from spot 12 to 5 on my to-visit list. Great pictures, especially the ones with the henna tattoos - you had a great group of people to share this experience with!
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