Some of my best travel memories have come not from plans going perfectly or the grandeur of a destination itself, but from the adventures along the way.
Visiting Machu Picchu was certainly no exception, and I’m glad I decided to spend four days trekking to the sacred site instead of opting for the train into town—no matter how much more relaxing it sounded.
While I adored the bookends—Cusco and the ruins themselves—seeing the country and its kind people in the up-close and intimate sort of way that only hiking allows enhanced the experience.
If visiting Machu Picchu is on your bucket list, consider trekking your way there. After doing the Lares Valley trek to Machu Picchu, I can’t imagine the experience any other way.
With boots on the ground—literally—trekkers are rewarded with kindhearted locals, life changing challenges and unparalleled views. If you’re not an experienced hiker, there are plenty of tour companies ready to escort you to the ruins. There are almost as many companies as there are tourists, and they will plan all the logistics from hotel pickup to ruins tours. If you’re already in Peru and plan on taking the train to Aguas Calientes, you can still change your mind: you can book some treks as late as a night or two before (and tours tend to be much cheaper that way, too).
Still not convinced? This gallery will change that (or it will just allow you to do the trek without actually doing it … but you should still do it).
Morgan is a Wyoming-based freelance writer and photographer with a lot of love for mountains, environmental literature, horses and pour overs.
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With the trek's starting elevation of roughly 13,500 feet, plus a hefty climb, it's wise to arrive in Cusco a few days before beginning your trek to allow for some altitude adjustment. Between the history and the nightlife, there's plenty to do and see in the city, so you'll be glad you gave yourself extra time. Our four-day/three-night Lares Valley Trek begins in the town of Lares, a 2.5-hour drive outside Peru, and takes trekkers through small, rural villages on the way to Machu Picchu. The route offers a glimpse into local cultures that you won't see in the big cities.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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"Slow down and drink your water!" Guides insist that we hike slowly enough to make it all the way through successfully and drink enough water at each rest stop to quench a racehorse's thirst. Peru is hot, and the elevation takes a toll on the body. But keep well hydrated and pace yourself, and the trek will be a breeze (or, breezier).
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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The Lares Valley trek takes hikers through the beautiful countryside of Peru. It's just one of many route options available. Itineraries range from easy one-nighters with a comfortable hotel stay all the way to the five-day Salkantay Trek for the more adventurous travelers seeking glacial views and low temps. From herds of llamas and horses to glaciers and alpine lakes, every trek offers stunning scenery. Evaluate the options, and pick the one that's right for you.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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Small, sturdy horses are a lifestyle necessity for Peruvian farmers and villagers. Following suit, trekking companies employ them to transport gear, food and, in emergencies, sick or exhausted hikers. Bresaida, our porter's daughter who tagged along, leads a spare horse to carry my sister after she woke up with severe altitude sickness on the second day.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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Two young girls sit along the outskirts of their village and sell handmade crafts to trekkers passing by. From talking with local villagers (if you speak some Spanish), as well as the guides themselves, you learn just how large a role tourism plays in the Peruvian economy. Bring cash along on your trek so you can buy sodas, snacks and crafts in the villages you'll pass through--you'll appreciate the refreshment after a long day's exertion, and the locals will appreciate the fiscal support.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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Trekking feels more like "glamping" in Peru. If you avoid camping for lack of comfort, don't be deterred. Guests are pampered from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed. Porters carry trekkers' gear and packs, and they break down and set up camp every day, which comes complete with a dinner tent and private sleeping tents (and you can rent sleeping bags and pads from your trekking company for about $20). They even wake trekkers each morning with hot water for washing up and trays with tea and coffee.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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The camp cooks rival those in some of Peru's best restaurants. They'll whip up from-scratch pumpkin soup; crispy bread, cakes and quiches; and vegetable- and queso-stuffed bell peppers (a vegetarian menu item upon my request—almost all tour companies offer vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options). And, they prepare it all over a gas grill or open flame with food bought fresh from village markets at the trek's start. So, if quality food is a consideration in your choice to trek, fear not.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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After walking roughly 25 miles to reach Machu Picchu, standing in the ancient city and looking out over the rainforest just as its inhabitants once did feels surreal. If you're keen to get the ultimate historic experience, check out the 26-mile Inca Trail trek—it leads visitors along the exact path the Incas used to reach Machu Picchu, supposedly home to the Incan emperor.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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Resting high above the Sacred Valley in the Urubamba Province of Peru, the entire area surrounding the photo-famous Machu Picchu feels still. Rivers cut through steep, jungle-covered mountains rising in every direction, and the sacred site feels just that—sacred. Machu Picchu (which means "old mountain" in the indigenous language Quechua) is the instantly recognizable peak that graces famous photographs of the site. The mountain's name has come to identify both the peak itself and the 15th century city where some Incas and their emperor once thrived.
Photo by Morgan Beavers
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The reason for the trek (and the classic picture to prove it). As with any of the world's greatest wonders, pictures don't do Machu Picchu justice. This was shot as soon as the sun shed enough light—around 7 a.m.—and right before people started flooding the site. To beat the crowds, catch the earliest bus up the mountain, or hike the trail up if you're ready for a steep ascent and lots of slippery stairs. Whichever way you go, get there as early as you can to get you best view (the gates open at 6 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.).
Photo by Morgan Beavers