My first backpacking adventure took me to the legendary Inca Trail of Machu Picchu 🦙
📊 Difficulty: Moderate
Before this trip, my longest hike was a 20km trek over 8 hours, and I had zero experience with high altitudes or overnight camping. Thankfully, I made it through—though I did find myself trailing at the back of the group.
The Inca Trail spans four unforgettable days:
Day 1️⃣ – The sunniest stretch, covering 14km with an elevation gain of 580 meters (P5-6).
Our group picked us up from the hotel at the ungodly hour of 4 a.m. For the first two-thirds of the journey, the trail was relatively flat but offered almost no shade, leaving us fully exposed to the relentless Andean sun ☀️.
Day 2️⃣ – The most grueling day, spanning 16km with a climb of 900 meters (P7-9).
We rose at 4:20 a.m. to tackle two mountains, reaching the highest point of the entire trail at a breathtaking 4,200 meters above sea level. This was where altitude sickness began to test our resolve.
Day 3️⃣ – The most picturesque leg, covering 10km (P10-13).
Waking up at 5 a.m., we descended stone paths that seemed endless. Despite appearances, these ancient steps were deceptively challenging, testing both balance and endurance.
Day 4️⃣ – The longest and most rewarding day, culminating at Machu Picchu (P14-16).
Rising at 3 a.m., we entered the mountain at 5:30 a.m. and reached the iconic ruins in just two hours. We spent three magical hours exploring, then boarded a bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. From there, we took a train to Ollantaytambo and finally a bus back to Cusco—all seamlessly arranged by our tour group.
