June 30, 2022-

A big thanks to all the members of our first Inca Trail Team.  Everyone did a great job on the rugged trek, wrapped it up with a nice visit to Machu Picchu and survived the famous train ride down along the Urabamba River back to Cusco.  Well done!

Now, after a day off to wash their laundry, our IMG guides Dustin, Audrey, and Juan report that our second Inca Trail Team have all safely arrived, with all their luggage.  That is the way we like to start a trip!

Last night everyone went out to dinner and started to get to know each other.  Today they are out doing the town of Cusco, with a visit to the several of the local archeological sites.  We’ll look forward to getting a report from them. 

All’s well in Peru!

IMG guides Dustin and Audrey report that the team wrapped up the Inca Trail in good form, and entered Machu Picchu with the morning sun.  They have had a great hike, with lots of up and down on steep stone steps, just like the Incas ! If you like rugged hiking and hanging out with a fun group, this is the one.  And, a big thanks to our local Quechua cooks and porter crew.

The team are now down in Aguas Calientes, enjoying the hotel after four solid days on the trail.  Tomorrow they will go back up to the Machu Pucchu citadel and then hike up one of the nearby mountains for the big view before taking the train back to Cusco.

All’s well in Peru!

Eric Simonson

The Peru Team had a good day visiting the ruins at Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, putting them in position to start the Inca Trail trek the next day. Now, they are (finally!) out of cell phone range and only checking in by sat phone and Inreach.

Yesterday the team crossed the Urubamba River at about 8000 ft and started the ascent up the Inca Trail.  Last night they were at about 10,000 feet and today they are heading up over the first high pass, the Abra de Huarmihuanusca (“Dead Woman’s Pass”) at about 13,700 feet.

From here they will drop down a bit into small valley of Pacamayo. So far so good in Peru!!

Eric Simonson