As Promised: Pictures from the Peruvian Inca Trail

[Zaphod]

My daughter, myself, and my wife in the hills above Cusco.

IMG_1288.JPG (114.2 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

The "storehouse" ruins in the hills above Cusco. Our first climb.

IMG_1374.JPG (257.59 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

Start point at km 82 on the Inca Trail

IMG_1398.JPG (264.61 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

Ruins along the trail

IMG_1443.JPG (214.19 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

More ruins...

IMG_1449.JPG (214.84 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

Spectacular scenery along the trail

IMG_1466.JPG (131.19 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

That's not fog, we're up in the lower part of the clouds

IMG_1472.JPG (130.83 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

Second day, the trail keeps going up and up. Those are porters carrying 25 kilos each, they are faster than anyone on the trail

IMG_1490.JPG (234.16 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

Cresting Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215m (13,828 ft) and approx 35 degrees F.

IMG_1503.JPG (187.38 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

3rd hiking day. Coming down.

IMG_1560.JPG (165.6 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

IMG_1568.JPG (189.44 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

Obligatory llama picture

IMG_1624.JPG (194.94 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

More ruins along the trail

IMG_1626.JPG (142.97 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

The Inca Trail just before daybreak

IMG_1775.JPG (86.91 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

Classic "money shot"

IMG_1899.JPG (198.44 KiB) Viewed 2032 times

That's all the BBS will let me post for now!

[markiver54]

Great pics Zaphod...thanks for posting!

[CT_Shooter]

Thanks for the beautiful photos, Zaphod. I have a friend who has hiked/climbed the Peruvian mountains every year for decades, taking thousands of photos over the years. It is a uniquely beautiful and wonderful part of the world. That you took for family on such an adventure is simply awesome. Very cool.

[JEBar]

thanks indeed .... it appears to have been a really good trip

[Zaphod]

Thanks, all. It's funny, two years ago hiking the Andes and seeing Machu Picchu wasn't even on my radar. But daughter Allison planted the seed and eventually we gave her the go to set it up.

It's amazing to see in person what I had only read about in history books in high school, or maybe had seen on the Nat Geo channel. I see that stuff and don't really envision myself being there. But this time we were there!

Remind me to tell you sometime about the squat toilets at the campsites. Can't do it now, I get a trigger reaction.

[If1Hitu]

Absolutely a awesome group of photos,thanks for sharing them.

[PT7]

"Up in the clouds" (IMG_1472) is a particularly beautiful, fantastic view.
What an experience your trip must have been.

You've posted 15 photos so far. Rounding down your estimate to 800, there are only 785 left. We should all enjoy being "stuck" inside during this winter, enjoying the rest of your vacation shots!

Thanks for sharing them.
PT7

[fortyshooter]

Wow some great pictures of your trip!! Guess you better be in great shape hiking at that altitude!

[Zaphod]

BTW, all these pics are unedited / non-corrected as they came from the camera. A little minor color and brightness correction will make them pop.

PT7, we were up in the clouds a lot during the hike. I had to keep reminding myself of our altitude, because my lizard brain tells me that wherever I am is at sea level. (See: Yes, I'm From Texas.) So constantly, I was telling myself, "****! You are THIS high!"

fortyshooter, we're in good shape but the second day of the hike was very challenging for all, even the healthy 25-year-olds in our group. The trail is steep and the steps that the Incas placed are about 50% taller, on average, than what we're used to in the U.S. So every step along the way is challenging.

[daytime dave]

Beautiful photographs. Thank you for sharing them with us.

[BigAl52]

Thanks for sharing and that looks like it was a great trip.

[Vaquero]

Yes beautiful pics man, and a good lookin family.
Thanks for sharing with us.

RP

[The Wiz]

WOW!!!!!!!