Picture yourself on the Inca Trail

Peru’s Inca Trail remains one of the world’s most popular treks. The classic 4-day trail is well within the capabilities of regular walkers and passes through a variety of landscapes. The grand prize at the end is your first glimpse of Machu Picchu – the lost Inca citadel which was only rediscovered in 1911. What surprises some people is the ever-changing scenery and smaller Inca ruins that are to be seen along the way…

 

KM82 - start point of the trail!

 

Inca ruins at Llaqtapata

 

Stopping to admire the scenery

 

A welcome bowl of hot water at first camp site

 

The hard working trek support team

 

The challenge of Dead Woman's Pass

 

Triumphant at the top of the pass (4200m)

 

Inca site of Runkuraqay

© James Brunker*

 

The clouds close in

 

Descending the old Inca steps

 

Inca toilet in remarkably good state of repair!

 

Taking a well-earned rest - end of day 2

 

Thank goodness for trekking poles!

 

Huxley enjoying the trek

 

Inca terraces

 

Trekking through the bamboo forest

 

Up into cloud forest

 

Winay Wayna

 

Sun Gate coming up!

 

First view of Machu Picchu

 

Celebrating successful completion of the trail

 

The classic place to take a photo

 

Machu Picchu revealed in glorious sunshine

© James Brunker*

 

Llama taking in the views at Machu Picchu

© James Brunker*

 

If you'd like to trek the Inca Trail take your first step by visiting our Inca Trail page.

 

*Many thanks to former Explore Tour Leader and professional photographer James Brunker for supplying some of the above images. To see more of James' images go to www.magicalandes.com or www.james-brunker.artistwebsites.com/?tab=artworkgalleries