When I'm in nature and taking in the breathtaking views found on the Inca Trail as we hiked through the Andes mountains, thought leaves my mind and a vast opening and free flowing energy reemerges into my being.
With that in mind, I'm going to keep my thoughts to a minimum and merely allow you to take in the scenery captured in photo and video form below. Enjoy.
the stunning scenery you'll see in the Andes mountains
marking the start of the Inca Trail
Video: A coca plantation + the leaves drying - on the Inca Trail
Video Highlights: from Monkey Thievery to Spectacular Vistas on the Inca Trail in Peru
even more breathtaking when there
Fun video: Crawling up a Steep Cliff with an Amazing Vista - on the Inca Trail in Peru
face painted and high above the river below
fast moving mountain creek behind
that is a manually pulled cable car across the rapids
Video: cable car crossing rapids
nearing the end of day two's 24km hike
lots of these views
the sheer cliffs add contrast
the river bends to the contour of the mountains
fast flowing rivers and gorgeous scenery along the Inca Trail
There are a number of ways to get to Machu Picchu, from the motorized, (train to Aguas Calientes, then the bus up the mountain) to the Soltanek Trek, where you hike up to an elevation of 15,200 feet, then descend before arriving at the ancient Incan City 5 days later.
Already feeling woozy at 12,000 feet, I opted for the Incan Jungle Trek, which is a 4 day excursion with white water rafting and zip-lining thrown into the mix.
On day two, we stop at two locales to rest. Photos and hopefully entertaining/ informative videos are below.
playing gingerly with a monkey with a monkey before being put in my place
This monkey is only tethered when trekking groups come through. Only two of us chose to play with him, and being granted climbing rights, he rewarded my trust by promptly reaching into my pocket and stealing 50 soles, which I quickly stole back. It's fun, but one must always be weary of being bit, which is exactly what happened to the other guy.
monkey thief steals 50 soles from me before I steal it back!
This below video shows a much more docile, smaller monkey at the next stop- The Monkey House.
playing with a monkey on my shoulder
Numerous products grown in this fertile region are sold at the Monkey House, ranging from passionfruit juice, to cacao, to Inca tequila which comes with dead snakes inside the bottle- for flavor or as a warning, I'm not sure which.
actual snakes in the bottle of tequila- good marketing?
Speaking of good marketing-- "Sweet Cocaine" (coca leaf): how to create an addictive product!!
painted as an Incan warrior - attracts monkeys for sure
Martina with a cute rodent
my trekking group dressed in local garb
some of the scenery you'll see on the Inca trail
a coca plantation
getting the Incan cross painted on my face
the power of the Incan cross
Agricultural products of the Peruvian people along the Inca Trail
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