Walking in the footsteps of the Incas

Nestled high amongst the verdant peaks of the Andes Mountains in Peru, the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu stands as a testament to the brilliance of an advanced civilization once forgotten to time. Formerly the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, its legacy conjures a certain mystery, and every structure retains the memory of its enigmatic history.

Classed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this ancient marvel constitutes a true bucket list experience, presenting the opportunity to explore extraordinary ruins, enjoy beautiful mountain views, walk through strikingly different climatic zones and accomplish the feat of an extraordinary hike up the Inca Trail.

            

A little bit of history

Built during the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacuti as a royal estate and religious retreat, its exact purpose remains speculative, but many believe it to have served as a ceremonial centre for the Inca civilization.

The citadel was inhabited for less than a century before being abandoned during Spanish conquest of the 16th century, but was never discovered and thus gracefully preserved. It wasn’t until 1911 when American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered it during an expedition, granting the site global recognition.

           

Hiking the Inca Trail

Widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest hikes, the 5 day Inca trail offers the unique blend of both a tantalising destination and journey: considered a holy pilgrimage by the civilisation itself, walking in the footsteps of the Incas allows you to connect with their achievements and conjures a keen reverence for the glory of an ancient world.

However, its punitive ascent is hardly for the faint of heart – as hikers navigate through deserted valleys and subtropical cloud forests, they gain nearly a vertical mile in altitude!

As there’s so much more to see and explore in Peru, a typical traveller might not have time to hike the whole Inca trail, but this is where the shorter 1 day km104 hike to Machu Picchu is a popular choice.

Thinking back to her visit there in 2018, our Managing Director Felicia Severns summed up the arduous yet immensely rewarding nature of her experience on the hike…

“For an enthusiastic adventurer with below-average fitness, it was quite a leap for me to think I could climb to Machu Picchu. It’s just walking, right? With the expert support and guidance from our fantastic local partners, this became one of the most rewarding experiences of my travel life. The 12km one day hike is long and challenging, (with a constant uphill incline and some wicked steps) but the awe-inspiring beauty, the views, the random llamas and the reward at the end makes it definitely an adventure worth tackling”.

           

Booking with a responsible tourism operator

Fortunately, our itineraries are curated utilising our trusted ground partners, such as Amazonas Explorer, with experts in logistics and real-time experience ensuring your adventure is safe, seamless and managed with the utmost professionalism.

Machu Picchu is a sacralised site for good reason, and despite the limits on visitor numbers, it’s common and highly advised to book your trip 6-12 months in advance. On top of securing hotels, guides and appropriate tours, permits, tickets and validation also need to be closely coordinated.

There are very few options to get around the fact that tickets sell out fast, so this is where a trusted travel operator comes in: by handling the administration of booking for you, we can alleviate any hassle or uncertainty, allowing you to redirect your attention to the exciting journey ahead!

Unchecked tourism in a place of cultural significance can have worrying effects on the local community; overcrowding, poor conditions for mountain guides and a blasé attitude towards customs and culture can lead to pollution and environmental degradation. Not only can a responsible travel operator expedite the booking process, it can transform the very nature of tourism into a positive force.

Be it supporting the local economy, aiding the long-term sustainability of the area, ensuring positive working conditions for local staff or educating tourists to respect the sacredness of such a site as well as how it ties into humanity’s fascinating and complex history.

To explore our Peruvian itineraries, check out our destination page or contact us directly via enquiries@odyssey-world.co.uk (or call) to personalise your own adventure through one of the greatest wonders of the world!