An unbelievable 11 day hike on the Inca trail from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu. We walked alongside modern day Inca, glaciers, waterfalls, and empty ruins.
“Did that really happen?” The experience was so magical, I needed the pictures to prove it wasn’t just a dream.
Enjoy the photo journey in sequence below:
Horses on a hill at the Choquequirao Park trail head outside of Cachora.
Where the path begins and ends looks like a natural maze.
Wispy whimsical plants dance in the mountain breezes.
Starry, starry nights shielded from city lights in the Andes.
Marampata appears like any other village until you look around: You’re in the middle of nowhere.
24 stone llamas decorate the terraces at Choquequirao.
Sometimes I feel like the Inca were artists more than architects.
“Machu Picchu without the crowds” (and with camping and picnics allowed) could be Choquequirao’s slogan.
A cupped set of Inca terraces descends towards the river on the trail to Maizal.
The Andes sometimes hide in the clouds, revealing their grandeur in pieces. Good thing, because sometimes the beauty was overwhelming.
Lonely Inca village ruins near Maizal.
Following the mule tails into the clouds.
Ridge to nowhere.
Descending upon Yanama village.
Ghosts of the Inca, their predecessors, still walk the Inca trails.
The ice fields take your breath away, along with the nearly 4,800 metres of elevation.
Crossing the 4,800 metre pass with a glacier at our backs and condor overhead.
What a beautiful life in the winds, snow, and earth of the Andes.
Camping in the midst of daily village life in Totora.
A 300 metre, five tier waterfall cut the cliff-side trail in half.
Granadilla passion fruit from a local orchard.
Shade grown coffee grows at a cooperative on the Llactapata trail. We had our second cup of morning coffee right where it grows.
Machu Picchu is at your feet. The tent door unzipped to this view of the world wonder from Llactapata hill.
Another “Is this real?” moment as a condor flies between a double rainbow over Machu Picchu.
Llactapata Ruins once were a respite along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. As weary travellers ourselves, we appreciated the place to rest.
Oh good, we went the right way. How often do you get to see this sign?
Taking the slow train to Aguas Calientes. It’s an 11 kilometre hike along the rail route.
The fabled Machu Picchu is everything your inner archaeologist longs for.
I hope this inspires you to get out there and trek the Inca trails.
For more detailed hike information:
Read the full story of hiking Choquequirao to Machu Picchu.
5 reasons why you should hike Choquequirao
How to Hike: The Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Inca trail.
