Machu Picchu trekkers hit the Inca Trail

September 1st, 2024

: The Inca trail sign (Tyler Nachand)

: Inca Trail Map

IMG leaders Tyler Nachand and Maximo Henostroza report that the team were out the door early from the hotel in Ollantaytambo, on their way to the trailhead at about 8200 ft. Once they arrived, the trekkers needed to show permits and passports, since the number of trekkers permitted to start the Inca Trail each day is limited. While they were getting checked in, Maximo was getting the local Quechua porters and camp staff squared away for the journey. They started the hike at the Urubamba River (one of the highest tributaries of the Amazon) with the goal of a long gradual ascent to the first night’s camp at Wayllabamba (9,840′). Tyler said that it was a bit cloudy today, which was going to keep it a bit cooler. Maybe they will get a sprinkle. We’ll see!

Inca Trail trekkers head to Sacred Valley

August 31st, 2024

: Machu Picchu trekkers visit the Sacred Valley near Pisac (Tyler Nachand)

: Visiting Ollantaytambo (Tyler Nachand)

: At the llama farm (Tyler Nachand)

The team departed Cusco this morning and traveled to the Sacred Valley, one of the main centers of the Inca culture. They visited ancient archeological sites at Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and made a visit to the llama and Alpaca farm (and some shopping at the woolen mill gift store!). Tonight the team are enjoying their final hotel night before hitting the Inca Trail in the morning. All’s well in Peru!

Second Machu Picchu/Inca Trail team arrives to Cusco Peru

August 30th, 2024

: Team at the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas (Tyler Nachand)

: The famous 12 sided stone (Tyler Nachand)

: The team visits the ruins of Sacsayhuamán (Tyelr Nachand)

IMG leader Tyler Nachand reports that our second IMG Machu Picchu/Inca Trail team all arrived yesterday. They got together for dinner and then a walk around the Cathedral in the central square, the Plaza de Armas. Since they are at 11,000 feet, moving slowly is important! Today they team visited the Ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the Incan Qurikancha temple to the Sun God, and other interesting local sites, before returning to the hotel for some rest. Tomorrow the team is off to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. All’s well in Peru!

First Inca Trail Machu Picchu Trek is a wrap

August 28, 2024

Team photo from Machu Picchu looking towards Waynapicchu (Tyler Nachand)

The view of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail route from summit of Waynapicchu (Eric Simonson)

Tyler Nachand reports the team made a smooth return to Cusco yesterday, by train and road, and today everyone is departing. “After touring Cusco and the Sacred Valley, climbing the endless stairs up to Dead Woman’s pass, crossing into multiple valleys where the ecosystem changed from dry, cactus filled slopes to high altitude rain forest, we finally arrived to Intipunku, the sun gate entrance to Machu Picchu. We enjoyed 2 visits to this breathtaking site where we took lots of pictures of the area and explored agriculture terraces, store houses, the temple of the Sun, royal residencies and the main event terraces that were once used for social gatherings. Along the way we learned from our local guide about the differences in stonework styles and architectural intricacies. Today we went back up to reach the summit of Waynapicchu for a majestic view of the entire area. We then made our way back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then caught our train back to Ollantaytambo. We are back in Cusco now and soon to begin our travels back home. Another inspiring trip in the books! “

Inca Trail trekkers arrive to Machu Picchu

: Approaching Machu Picchu (Tyler Nachand)

: Machu Picchu with the rocky peak of Waynapicchu behind (Eric Simonson)

: Descending into Machu Picchu with the peak Waynapicchu behind (Tyler Nachand)

Aug 26, 2024 – The team got up very early this morning to get to the Sun Gate for the big entrance view to Machu Picchu (7,875′). It was cloudy, but they waited for a while and it cleared! Descending down into the Citadel is quite an experience. After a couple hours looking at the stonework and various buildings, the team headed down in the tourist bus to the hotel in Aguas Calientes (6,724′) for showers, lunch and a rest! Tomorrow the team will go back up to Machu Picchu and climb Waynapicchu, the cool looking peak that overlooks the site. The view from up there is pretty neat, but it is a steep trail with ladders in places to get up to the summit, so not a very good place for people who have acrophobia. Well done team, way to go!

Inca Trail trekkers reach Camp 3

August 25th, 2024

: Climbing out of Pacamayo camp on the way to the second pass (Dustin Balderach)

: The ruins at Sayacmarca (Eric Simonson)

: On the Inca Trail to Phuyupatamarca (Eric Simonson)

Tyler checked in on the sat phone to report that the team had a nice day of rugged hiking along the crest of the Inca Trail, traversing countless stone steps along the way. This gives a whole new meaning to “following in the footsteps” of the Incas! Their trek started with a steep climb out of the Pacamayo Camp (11,808′) to the second pass at Runkuracay (12,470′), then bumped up and down along sides of the ridge to the ancient sites at Sayacmarca (11,726’), Phuyupatamarca (11,930′) eventually to the 3rd camp at Winayhuayna (8,660′). Tomorrow the team will get up early to reach the Sun Gate at dawn, before descending down into the famous Machu Picchu citadel.

Success on Rainier!

August 25th, 2024

: Summit Success on Little Tahoma (Max Bond)

: Little T Route Belay (Max Bond)

: Emmons Shoulder with Climbers (Max Bond)

IMGs climbing teams had a successful morning on both Little T and Rainier. Lead Guide Annabelle Kays lead her team to the summit of Rainier via IMGs Emmons Shoulder Route under clear skies. Senior Guide Max Bond lead his team to the summit of Little Tahoma and captured photos of Annabelle’s team climbing!

Inca Trail trekkers cross the Dead Woman’s Pass

August 24th, 2024

: On the Inca Trail heading to the Dead Woman Pass (Eric Simonson)

: Camp 2 on the Inca Trail (Tyler Nachand)

Tyler checked in by satellite phone to report that the team are doing well. Today they continued their long steady climb out of the Urubamba River valley, ascending on ancient stone steps until they reached the famous Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,780 ft. After a well-deserved rest break, the route then drops down into a basin where the Pacamayo camp is located at about 11,800 ft. This is a nice camp, but there is no easy way “out” from here, as you must ascend up over a pass to either go back or go forward on the Inca Trail! Tomorrow the team will push forward over the next pass and then after that the Inca Trail slowly descends over the next couple days (with plenty of ups and downs) all the way to Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu trekkers hit the Inca Trail

August 23, 2024

: Start of Inca Trail (Tyler Nachand)

: Inca Trail Map

: First day on the Inca Trail (Tyler Nachand)

Tyler and the team departed Ollantaytambo on schedule this morning and shuttled to the trailhead where they met up with their porters and staff. First off was the mandatory check in with the government authorities, who carefully review everyone’s permits since the access to the Inca Trail is strictly controlled to avoid overcrowding. Then, it was finally time to start hiking! Today the route climbs steadily to the first camp at Wayllabamba (9,840′). Tomorrow they will continue the ascent over Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca in Quechua, the language of the Incas) at nearly 14,000 ft. All’s well on the Inca Trail!

Machu Picchu trekkers head to Ollantaytambo

August 22, 2024

The team at Ollantaytambo (Tyler Nachand)

Visiting Ollantaytambo (Tyler Nachand)

At the llama and alpaca farm (Tyler Nachand)

Tyler reports the Inca Trail trek team had a nice day today, driving north from Cusco and then dropping down a bit lower into the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River. This was a very important part of the Inca Empire and is the home of many fantastic archeological and cultural sites. Today the team toured Pisac and the Ollantaytambo ruins, and are staying at a hotel in the town of Ollantaytambo. Along the way they also stopped at the llama and alpaca farm, where wool is made into local handicrafts. The team is excited to start trekking, and tomorrow they will be heading to the start of the Inca Trail!