Backpacking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Four days of climbing, crying, laughing, and finally standing above the clouds at sunrise.
7 min read
The Route
the journey, step by step
We spent two days acclimatising in Cusco before the trail. This is non-negotiable — altitude sickness is real and it will ruin your trek if you don't adjust. Cusco itself is beautiful — cobblestone streets, incredible food, and that thin mountain air that makes everything feel slightly dreamlike.
Day 1 of the trail was gentle. A warm-up through green valleys, passing small farms and Inca ruins. Our group of eight bonded quickly over shared nerves and bad jokes. The porters — carrying 25kg packs while basically running up mountains — put us all to shame.
Day 2 nearly broke me. Dead Woman's Pass: 4,215 meters above sea level. My lungs burned, my legs shook, and at one point I seriously considered turning around. Our guide Carlos looked at me and said, "The mountain is teaching you something. Listen." So I kept going. Step by tiny step.
Day 3 was cloud forest — lush, misty, magical. The landscape changed completely. Day 4 we woke at 3:30am for the final push to the Sun Gate. When Machu Picchu appeared through the mist at dawn, the entire group went silent. Some people cried. I just stood there, mouth open.