Agree re strange couple ! But liked the honesty and also the informative links - think this is the best video on the Inca Trail. I am 64 and are planning to do with my daughter in 2023 - think I need to take my training a bit more seriously... Thanks, Global Treks !
I did the hike in 2015 and it was amazing! I would do it again given the opportunity. One thing I would do differently is ask more questions regarding food being serviced by the tour guide cause we got cake for breakfast on day 3 .... yes Cake... would have liked to have had more protein at breakfast..
Hmm, good advice to people vetting guides. We did not have this problem, but I have heard of many other people being quite disappointed with their company's food and preparedness.
Wow! One of the best videos I've ever watched! Top brother. I'm going to go in August 2017. It's beautiful! Congratulations to you. I'll get some tips soon, Matt. Hug.
I offered this response to the same question in a previous comment (now updated): Essentially, I don't need them. Also, they're incredibly distracting and take too much focus. In the backcountry, it's hard enough to place 2 feet properly. Adding two more limbs means that I'm looking at the ground and focusing entirely on my gait all day. I'd rather look around at the view than figure out where to place poles. I'm not suggesting that nobody should use them. For some, it provides necessary assistance with balance and reduces impact on knees. But since I don't currently experience this, I opt for no poles.
We are going for our honeymoon on Friday... what month did you go? We are worried about what to wear... thanks for the previous video about what to pack.
Preston Smith Yes. I am in good physical shape and don't have knee problems or anything. Essentially, I don't need them. Also, they're incredibly distracting. In the backcountry, it's enough to place 2 feet properly. Adding two more limbs to that means you're looking at the ground and focusing entirely on your gait. I'd rather look around at the view than figure out where to place my poles. They don't give me enough of an advantage to be worth missing the scenery for.
Nothing to prevent AMS other than refraining from alcohol in the days before and ensuring my fitness level was adequate. Not a whole lot to do to guarantee AMS prevention other than taking a prescription drug. I didn't do that, but many do. There are few, if any, indicators of who will suffer from AMS on any given trip- even seasoned guides get it from time to time.
EnergyRouter I ended up not having any symptoms, thank goodness! Your videos were very helpful on what to pack and what to expect. It was an awesome experience!!!
It's tough to say exactly where the line of "super fit" is...but I do not consider myself super fit. If you are in generally good condition and are used to hiking many hours, preferably with a pack, you can make it. Training for this is possible as well, so you don't have to be backpacking all the time for this to be complete.
BMGeorgea The company was called United Mice. I've not recommended them to others because they put us in a hotel on the 4th in night, in Aguasclients, that was seriously sub-par. It was so moldy that we felt like we might be getting a respiratory illness from it. If we hadn't arrived back at the hotel at 11:30 pm from going out in the town, we would have paid for a different room and just walked away- it was really a bad way to end.
At the time we did it (2014), we only paid $650 each. There is a vast range of prices depending on who you book with. Best to go with a local company (not a travel agency outside Peru) and work with them directly. This will help you avoid the 2-3x mark ups charged by 3rd parties.
Which company did you go with? Are they lesser popular, and thats why you happened to land a time where no one else booked with them? The fact that it was just you two was awesome! I would like to greaten my chances to hit that kind of jackpot as well without sacrificing quality of porter group.
Chris Alvarado My apologies for the delayed response. It just says "Summit Series" in it. It works great...has vents under the arms, good pockets that zip and keep water out, velcro to tighten around the writs, a hood with a visor, and waist drawstring.
machu picchu aside, how impressed were you with the hike itself? the scenery looks kind of bland and boring in comparison to the PNW and other national parks on the west coast.
yomega brain hey there, the scenery around the trail is actually stunning. It's a jungle high in the mountains - 7000 feet and up - surrounded by snowcapped peaks over 21,000 feet high. This may not come across in my video, but the reason for that is that too many scenery shots can get boring so I don't make them part of the final edit. I think the Andes mountains are every bit as interesting as the national parks in the US. A different flavor, but worth seeing.in my experience every mountain range and will be missed region around the world has a very unique feel. Each one is different and it's own way and I love that they are not the same. I think you would be happy visiting.
I currently live in Lima, and I used to live in Vancouver. I've hiked around cusco as well as Huaraz, but have sort of avoided the Inca Trail because i've found Peruvian hikes kind of unenjoyable and not very scenic. The impression I get from this video kind of confirms what I had suspected, which is it's like walking through somebody's farm. The Ausangate hike was like that too.
yomega brain I am having a difficult time understanding what you think is lacking in the Andes mountains as far as scenery goes. I think it was spectacular and awe inspiring.
An awesome video. Thanks for showing how challenging is the trail. I have to start training more before attempting this hike.
Love these videos. Thanks for making the internet a better place!
+pcproff I appreciate that very much! Thanks!
@@GlobalTreks gift Dan 🎁👈🏽🙏🏻🙏🏻
This is insane. I feel like we are taking the same trips. I just backpacked through Peru and Bolivia and saw Machu Pichu as well!
Thank you both, doing classic this November during rainy season. Great insight on what to expect...
Good advice on the fitness level required for this hike.
Global Treks the set of the four videos where right on. I did the trek a month ago and so glad I watched them it helped me prepare. Thank you.
Strange couple, but a wonderful series of videos
Agree re strange couple !
But liked the honesty and also the informative links -
think this is the best video on the Inca Trail.
I am 64 and are planning to do with my daughter in 2023 - think
I need to take my training a bit more seriously...
Thanks, Global Treks !
this is a terrific series of videos - thank you.
I am going in June 2020. I didn't see you using trekking poles. They are supposed to help a lot.
I did the hike in 2015 and it was amazing! I would do it again given the opportunity. One thing I would do differently is ask more questions regarding food being serviced by the tour guide cause we got cake for breakfast on day 3 .... yes Cake... would have liked to have had more protein at breakfast..
Hmm, good advice to people vetting guides. We did not have this problem, but I have heard of many other people being quite disappointed with their company's food and preparedness.
Where did you purchase this tour and hike? I'll be there this year and don't trust some of the websites. Help me out! Great video, too.
Wow! One of the best videos I've ever watched! Top brother. I'm going to go in August 2017. It's beautiful! Congratulations to you. I'll get some tips soon, Matt. Hug.
Perú is Beautiful.
Very nice video
Your packs looked pretty large/full- did you have porter to carry things like your sleeping bag?
Great video.
Thank you.
How would you compare Kilimanjaro to Machu Picchu? I just finished Machu Picchu and am considering Kilimanjaro and would appreciate your feedback.
Is there any reason why you guys didn't use trekking poles? I feel like it would help you with carrying the load that you had on!
I offered this response to the same question in a previous comment (now updated): Essentially, I don't need them. Also, they're incredibly distracting and take too much focus. In the backcountry, it's hard enough to place 2 feet properly. Adding two more limbs means that I'm looking at the ground and focusing entirely on my gait all day. I'd rather look around at the view than figure out where to place poles. I'm not suggesting that nobody should use them. For some, it provides necessary assistance with balance and reduces impact on knees. But since I don't currently experience this, I opt for no poles.
We are going for our honeymoon on Friday... what month did you go? We are worried about what to wear... thanks for the previous video about what to pack.
We went in May.
Okay, you convinced me, I have to do this!
+Alysse Jacobs It's worth it!
Awesome videos...what company did you use? This is on my bucket list and I want to walk it before im too old
United Mice. Get out there and go for it! Don't wait!
Any particular reason why you didn't use hiking poles?
Preston Smith Yes. I am in good physical shape and don't have knee problems or anything. Essentially, I don't need them. Also, they're incredibly distracting. In the backcountry, it's enough to place 2 feet properly. Adding two more limbs to that means you're looking at the ground and focusing entirely on your gait. I'd rather look around at the view than figure out where to place my poles. They don't give me enough of an advantage to be worth missing the scenery for.
How in shape were you before you went?
What month did you go on the trail? We are planning a trip with a group next June.
We went in mid-May. It was nice for hiking during the day, in the 60s, but cold at night.
We will be on the trail first week of June, however there is a group of 11 of us. Thanks so much for posting. Did you climb Huayna Picchu?
Paula Lawrence Yes, we climbed Huayna Picchu, which can be seen in the day 4 video. Sorry for missing this question!
What did you do before? Anything to prevent AMS? I am leaving to do this in 12 days.
Nothing to prevent AMS other than refraining from alcohol in the days before and ensuring my fitness level was adequate. Not a whole lot to do to guarantee AMS prevention other than taking a prescription drug. I didn't do that, but many do. There are few, if any, indicators of who will suffer from AMS on any given trip- even seasoned guides get it from time to time.
EnergyRouter I ended up not having any symptoms, thank goodness! Your videos were very helpful on what to pack and what to expect. It was an awesome experience!!!
Do you have to be super fit to be able to do the inca trail?
It's tough to say exactly where the line of "super fit" is...but I do not consider myself super fit. If you are in generally good condition and are used to hiking many hours, preferably with a pack, you can make it. Training for this is possible as well, so you don't have to be backpacking all the time for this to be complete.
How much clothes does one bring? I'm looking to go in May/June
+Dyu07 This video addressed that exact question: ua-cam.com/video/4-uDyVKBTXk/v-deo.html
Superb, thanks very much
Which month did u guys travel !
what company did you go with?
BMGeorgea The company was called United Mice. I've not recommended them to others because they put us in a hotel on the 4th in night, in Aguasclients, that was seriously sub-par. It was so moldy that we felt like we might be getting a respiratory illness from it. If we hadn't arrived back at the hotel at 11:30 pm from going out in the town, we would have paid for a different room and just walked away- it was really a bad way to end.
Can you not start from machu picchu? I know years ago you could. It's easier then starting from km82
Would you hike the opposite direction then? You might be able to arrange that, but not sure that would be better
great video do you know if they cater for vegans
friends in the world are welcome to my country
how much money total was it to hike the trail?
At the time we did it (2014), we only paid $650 each. There is a vast range of prices depending on who you book with. Best to go with a local company (not a travel agency outside Peru) and work with them directly. This will help you avoid the 2-3x mark ups charged by 3rd parties.
Which company did you go with? Are they lesser popular, and thats why you happened to land a time where no one else booked with them? The fact that it was just you two was awesome! I would like to greaten my chances to hit that kind of jackpot as well without sacrificing quality of porter group.
What tour company did you use to do the inca trail?
+psresnick United Mice, but don't stay in the hostel in Aguascalientes.
Which (model?) North Face is the green zip-up you're wearing? Thanks so much for these videos!
Chris Alvarado My apologies for the delayed response. It just says "Summit Series" in it. It works great...has vents under the arms, good pockets that zip and keep water out, velcro to tighten around the writs, a hood with a visor, and waist drawstring.
I am glad you went so I don't have to. I would never make it.
machu picchu aside, how impressed were you with the hike itself? the scenery looks kind of bland and boring in comparison to the PNW and other national parks on the west coast.
yomega brain hey there, the scenery around the trail is actually stunning. It's a jungle high in the mountains - 7000 feet and up - surrounded by snowcapped peaks over 21,000 feet high. This may not come across in my video, but the reason for that is that too many scenery shots can get boring so I don't make them part of the final edit. I think the Andes mountains are every bit as interesting as the national parks in the US. A different flavor, but worth seeing.in my experience every mountain range and will be missed region around the world has a very unique feel. Each one is different and it's own way and I love that they are not the same. I think you would be happy visiting.
I currently live in Lima, and I used to live in Vancouver. I've hiked around cusco as well as Huaraz, but have sort of avoided the Inca Trail because i've found Peruvian hikes kind of unenjoyable and not very scenic. The impression I get from this video kind of confirms what I had suspected, which is it's like walking through somebody's farm. The Ausangate hike was like that too.
yomega brain I am having a difficult time understanding what you think is lacking in the Andes mountains as far as scenery goes. I think it was spectacular and awe inspiring.
NOT A DRUG? DUDE......
Please enlighten me on what you mean by this