First of all, I cannot say enough amazing things about American Inca Trails-Treks to Machu Picchu (click on the link to their facebook page). You can’t book online, but if you message them or email them you can reserve a spot on a trek. It’s not necessary, you can find them in the main square in Cuzco and sign up there as well. They have a trek that leaves EVERY day and have tours that last 3-4 days. They take care of you with accommodation and food and is seriously inexpensive for the deal you’re getting.
So, if you’ve read my in-depth detailing of my first day in Cuzco, you’ll know that I had a ROUGH start to my trip. The trek picked me up first thing the next morning and we were off. The first thing we did was drive up windy, windy roads to the top of a mountain just to bike down. I honestly felt on top of the world. We didn’t waste any time. After we got to the hostel, we had about an hour until we left for white water rafting. I’d never gone before, but these guys were really great at explaining what to do when to do it, etc.
Next day, we left for a big ole hike that lasted about 8 hours but with gorgeous views. It was the highest point we’d get to during out trip.
After a nice long hike down, through what seemed like a quarry and intermittent rain storms, we ended the day in natural hot springs. (AMAZING for hot showers, by the way). I’m still kicking myself for not photographing it.
The next morning, we went zip-lining.
A hike up, for 5 lines and a rope bridge down. Too cool.
Later, we hiked a LOT more, and a short lunch and hammock nap, to Aguas Calientes, a little town at the bottom of Machu Picchu.
Then it was quickly off to bed for a 4:30 AM arrival to the base of Machu Picchu so that we could watch the sunrise over the mountains and get to the ancient city for 6:15. It was more or less a strait shot up for an hour and a half. It was TOUGH. But oh SO worth it. And a great workout for the butt as a bonus. Haha, just kidding…but actually not really. We (our group of 7 in addition to the other small groups that had trekked along side us) were some of the first to reach the top so photos were magnificent.
Before I left for the trip, because I booked early, I was able to reserve a ticket to hike Waynu Picchu, the mountain in the back of all the Machu Picchu pictures you’ve seen. It was another half hour/hour hike depending on how much energy you had left in you to get to the top. I can truly say I’ve never felt more on top of the world as I did on top of that mountain.
Unfortunately, that was our last day of the trip. We were done late at night, and took the train/bus they organized for us back to Cuzco. I was amazingly lucky to get placed with the group I did. The people were amazing and made the trip extremely memorable and absolutely wonderful. The next day, my group and I met for lunch and did a little shopping in the markets; full tours of cow heads to beaded bracelets, to alpaca sweaters and fresh pressed juices.
I left that night, but had the most amazing break from my city reality for 6 stupefying days.
For the Confused Traveler 