Hiking to Machu Picchu was an incredible adventure and by far one of the best experiences of my life. We started out on bicycles riding approximately 3 hours in heavy rain down a mountainside where we would arrive in a very small town called Santa Maria.
The next day we set out on foot for what would turn out to be a grueling 3 days of hiking through the mountainous jungles of the Andes on the Inca Trail, which would eventually lead us straight to Machu Picchu.
On the way we would pass through fields of Coca plants, remote villages populated by the indigenous people, breathtaking scenery from narrow pathways hanging thousands of feet above the Urubamba River and natural hot springs located high in the Andes reachable only by foot.
On the third day we arrived in Aguascalientes, the small town located at the base of Machu Picchu. The next morning we awoke at 3:30 am to make the final ascent to Machu Picchu. Even at this hour the town was alive with hikers ready to make the final ascent because they only allow the first 400 people of the day hike to Wayna Picchu, (an additional ruins located adjacent and above of Machu Picchu) and we had ensure we were first in line.
The reason is because by 6am there is easily 1000 people waiting to enter, many of which arrive by bus. In fact, its very difficult to even see Wayna Picchu if you don’t hike from Aguascalientes because of the amount of tourists that come. But we made it before the buses arrived and the additional hike to Wayna Picchu was astounding. Check out the video above.
The Price
The trek was four days and three nights. I paid $160 US which included three meals a day, a guide (sort of), lodging in dorm style hostels, entrance to Machu Picchu and a train ride back to Cuzco. Although the accommodations were anything but first class, (often having to fetch your own water just to make the toilets flush) It was an amazing adventure and highly recommended.
Brief History of Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu (Quechua: Machu Pikchu, “Old Peak”, pronounced (machoo peechoo) is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 metres (8,000 ft) above sea level. It’s located on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (about 50 mi) northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Often referred to as “The Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire.
The Incas started building it around AD 1430 but it was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it was largely unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction.
Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.[1] Since it was not plundered by the Spanish when they conquered the Incas, it is especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place.
Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. In September 2007, Peru and Yale University reached an agreement regarding the return of artifacts which Hiram Bingham had removed from Machu Picchu in the early twentieth century.
I sourced this information from Wikipedia to make sure I got the facts straight. To learn more click here.
Check out the video and please leave comments.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Dude…FANTASTIC video! Really captures the grittiness, camaraderie, and unique cultures along the way to such an amazing payoff. That rain looked miserable – and then no hot water??? I loved all the strange animals too, esp that ginormous hampster looking thing! You are doing/seeing some amazing stuff – thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Hola Amigo !!!!!!!
It was a great experience sharing that journey with you and everyone else ….
I hope you are well, were sending you a big hug from Chile !!!!!!!
… Where are you now???
RODRIGO
Thanks guys for the comments. Ross, you would be in heaven in Cuzco city. Put it on your list of places to go sometime in your life. Machu Picchu was recently added to the new list of “The Seven Wonders of the World”. Definitely worth seeing. Also, don’t pay too much for the trek..You will get a much more genuine experience. The more money you spend, the more tourists with fanny packs you will see. I met some Argentinians today that did the entire trek for 50 Soles (that’s like $15 USD) They went without a guide and figured it out on their own. It’s doable and the experience would be unforgettable.
And Rodrigo, I am coming to Chile as soon the bus strike in Peru is over. Not sure when that will be. No one seems to have any idea. Until then I am stuck in Arequipa…But all is meant to be… And in the moment I am!
Chow Amigos!
Nate
Very cool video! What an adventure you’re on…Loved the way you blended the music in while giving us a glimpse of all the amazing scenery and friendly people from different cultures. Cool birds and animals too. I especially liked the monkey you let climb on you. I’m impressed with your courage and sense of adventure. Great view of the streams, hot springs and the mountains at the end surrounded by clouds(or maybe it was fog…). Thought the butterflies were cool at the end and probably symbolic of the transformation you must be going through on your journey. Thanks for sharing the experience!
What an incredible adventure you are having Nate! I can feel you are in pure bliss and magical moments.
)) I’m definitely sold and will include Peruvian Jungle in my bucket list. I’m excited on what I could do with similar camera.. This is the only way to live – to see the world and experience them first hand. Commune, teach, admire and learn from the messages of nature. So honored and blessed to be your friend. AHO TO YOUR WONDERFUL LIFE JOURNEY MR. ARCHITECT OF FREEDOM!!!!
Cusco is an amazing city, I was a week and I could know a lot of places like Sacred Valley of Incas, Machu Picchu, and the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo. Also, the food is delicious and people great. During my time in this wonderful city I stayed in Libertador Hotel which I recommend because has an excellent service. They helped me to organize all my tours. Its website is http://www.libertador.com.pe/en/2/1/2/cusco-hotel if you want more information.
Hello! Thanks so much for posting this information. I love your video and all you have to talk about.
I’m planning a trip to Peru in May and would really love to do the Jungle Trail. However, everything I find online charge over $300 for the tour but, as you and others have said, I know you can get the tour for only $160. How did you get it that cheap?
Thanks for the compliment on the video…The Machu Picchu hike is still one of the best experiences of my life..You will absolutely love it…In regards to getting such a good deal, the secret is to book the tour literally the day of, or the day before you go after arriving in Cusco…There are literally dozens and dozens of tour guides on the streets practically begging you to come with them…Because of this you will naturally have an opportunity to bargain. Anytime you book a travel through the Internet you are most likely going through some type of middle man, many times based out of the U.S. I always wait until I get to the town I am traveling to before making my travel plans…
To give you an example I had recently in Chile…I enrolled in a Spanish Immersion program at the Tandem Spanish School. While I was there I met some Germans who booked lessons at the same school online before arriving in Chile…The ended up paying around $400 per week for lessons. But I booked in person at the same school, realized they had some unadvertised specials and ended up getting my lessons for about $4.80 per hour (about $87 for the entire week) There hasn’t been one situation where I haven’t found better deals in person.
Hope that helps..
Chao from Mendoza,
Nate
Awesome video. I loved the marsupial drinking gatorade? So did you hike the famous Inca Trail?
I am headed to Cusco in July. I looked in February to book tours for the Inca Trail and their were plenty of spots but I just don\’t want to pay carzy amounts of money. I just looked tonight and there are literally no spots available for all of July. Is this for real?
DO the tour operators buy them up? Do people cancel? I am pretty flexible in my dates and am planning to arrive Cusco around the july 10 and fly back to Lima july 19th do you think I will get a spot to hike the trail? Are there tour operators begging in the high season? Thanks, Jena
Hi Jena, thanks for the comment…In regards to the Inca trail, I actually hiked an alternate route that ended up connecting with the Inca trail on day two. Many people actually prefer the alternate route because it’s less crowded and you get to see a few hidden ruins that other people never get to see. It’s also much cheaper. You will find that Peru in general is extremely cheap. If you book online you will inevitably pay more.
To give you an example, my 4 day trek to Macchu Picchu was $160 US, which included a guide, three nights hostel, three meals a day, tickets to enter Macchu Picchu AND train ride back. I booked my trek the day after I arrived in Cusco. There are people offering these tours everywhere and all of them are competing with each other. So you can easily bargain with them.
However, if your heart is set on hiking just the Inca trail than it would be wise to book in advance. Some people do cancel, but you are taking a risk. Anyhow, hope that helps. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
Chao from Buenos Aires
Can you tell me where exactly it joined the Inca Trail?