Peruvian Adventure – Trek to Machu Picchu

Epic landscapes,  jagged summits, lush jungles, temple ruins and ancient pathways – Peru delivered all of that and more during Mountain Trek’s Adventure Trek there in the spring of 2013.

Hiking the Inca Trail

Mountain Trek offered two 10-day adventures in Peru from March 28 to April 16 that included acclimatizing in the capital city of Cusco at 4-star hotels, exploring the pastoral Sacred Valley including a visit to the Moray amphitheatre (an Incan agricultural research centre) and the Salineras, where the Incans collected salt in mountainside pools. We then walked to Ollantaytambo, the living city of the Incas where people still reside iand use the terraces and channels from ancient times. We also explored the fascinating ruins of the Sun Temple.

As the trip progressed, we walked a path that million of feet have tread – the Inca Trail. We journeyed through small mountain villages and connected with the Quechua people who live there. Each night we settled into comfortable lodges with WiFi, clean filtered water and delicious meals. Our final destination, Machu Picchu (meaning old peak), is an Incan site built on a mountain ridge at an elevation of 2,430 m (7,970 ft). Some archaeologists believe it was built as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti (1431-1472), but abandoned with the Spanish Conquest. However, its complete story is shrouded in mist. As with every Mountain Trek trip there was a wonderful balance of adventure and security. Delicious food, beautiful accommodations and, of course, our health and fitness program, made this a fantastic vacation experience. Photos can’t convey the grandeur that was our trip to Peru, especially visiting Machu Picchu. The sweep of the streets, temples and dwellings set against the backdrop of jagged Andean peaks was stunning. You can find more pics from the adventure our  Mountain Trek’s Facebook page and below is the promo piece we did for the trip.