Enjoyed your video and informative, well done guys. I did the trail twice from KM88 in 1983 and in 1985 timed it to arrive at Machu Picchu on 1st January 1986. Me and my friend were the only ones on the trail, main difference I could tell between then and now was it was less organised, no porters, no man made accommodations along the route, no signs, the path improved, route maps few and far between, I had one, still have it and it made all the difference to deciding how far to go each day and where to camp. There were no regulations on how many could enter but we had Machu Picchu to ourselves until the first train and tourists arrive. Lovely to have a place like that to ourselves for a few hours, especially for photos. A journey no one will ever forget and always treasure, no matter when you do it.
Love your video, I used to guide inca trail and you have done an awesome job representing it. Thank you for visiting the country where I was born. Btw living in the US since 1992 Portland Oregon and now in DC for work. Thanks for the amazing video guys
wow - thank you for this. I did the hike last October 2014 and it is brilliant to watch and listen to your commentary. Brings back so many wonderful memories. I am 58 years old and I have to say I did struggle on Day 2 but, hey, I made it :-) Such an amazing trip isn't it. Another reason for loving your video is that for so much of the time you are so concentrating on each step so as not to trip that now and again you realise you are missing the scenery.
Thanks for your series, it has given me a lot of encouragement that I should be OK to do the - fly out from UK 1st November - the paths look just like the UK mountain ones I have walked many times, apart from the climbs and descents go on for a lot longer. Also thanks for the packing video, we have a porters for the major items but off to get a lightweight quilted jacket tomorrow and polyester shirts, was going to take standard cotton ones, so thanks for that
+EnergyRouter Yes, altitude sickness was a downer but got over it before the trek, went with the Green Machine, so their Day 2 - Dead Womans and then Condor Pass in the afternoon was a killer on the legs when coming down - but really glad I made the effort to get to Peru Cheers
Hello great Video and tons of great information. I just want to know a few things... Water did you use camel packs and also did you use any type of filtration straws or something like? Are there showers any where in the camps or on trails i don't care if is cold water just like to shower once a day. I believe is refreshing thing to do specially while being outdoors and hiking all day.
What an amazing set of videos, all very informative. I love the fact that you are very real in them: yes it's hard, and yes it's beautiful, both face of the same coin. My husband and I are planning to do it in 2 years, in 2020. I was just very curious to know the name of the company you used for the guide and the porters as they all seem very professional. I would very much appreciate this information! Thank you again for the videos that are going to help us a lot!!
I would watch this if it was on the Discovery channel. A lot better than those stupid storage place auction shows. Your what to pack video also really helped me. Thx guys, didn't catch your names.
Thanks, that's a great compliment. I can only hope that one day I can do a show about the world's best treks. We are Matt and Amanda. Glad we could be of help. Take care!
Amazing videos, planning on doing this trail next year :) Your backpacks look quite large, I read to only take a day pack if you are making use of the porters. Do you think a 35L would be big enough for 4D and 3N?
anonymous bigshot I was wondering that myself...I believe there are still people who go out in search of undiscovered ruins. Seems unlikely that we'd find anymore, but you never know!
They get water out of the streams along the trail near each camp, boil it, and let it cool down to resupply you. You need to carry a few durable water bottles, and they will refill them for you during the day if necessary
+alasdair geddes It's not the luggage that requires porters. As you can see, I carried my own gear. It is illegal to enter the park without a guide. As a result, you need 4 days of food, water, tents for sleeping and cooking, cookware, fuel, and personal gear for each person in your group + the guide. The amount of gear needed requires extra people to help carry it all. Having extra people then requires even more food, water, tents, etc. so then you add more people again.
EnergyRouter Can't you get a guide and carry your own tent? 4 days of kit is not a lot- I could fit a weeks worth of kit into the bag that you're carrying. I can understand that there's rules though so that's fair enough.
alasdair geddes You might be able to find a guide that will do it that way, but it would be a unique arrangement. I'm not suggesting that it couldn't be done by a solo hiker carrying all his own gear. It definitely can, but the Peruvian government won't allow it under normal circumstances. This is a mix of a guided tour and a trek, not a self-sustained backcountry adventure. That's just the way it's set up. If you see my Kilimanjaro series, you'll see the same exact arrangement. Nobody is expected to carry 45kg all the way up to 5,895 meters. 99% of people wouldn't make it under those conditions at Machu Picchu or Kili.
ok, I see your point. I'd like to do both of those trips at some point and although I like doing everything myself, I'd probably have to do a guided tour. Great videos by the way.
Thank you! I would recommend both trips- they're totally worth it! And even with the porters, they're very enjoyable and inspiring. Let me know if you decide to go at some point!
Enjoyed your video and informative, well done guys. I did the trail twice from KM88 in 1983 and in 1985 timed it to arrive at Machu Picchu on 1st January 1986. Me and my friend were the only ones on the trail, main difference I could tell between then and now was it was less organised, no porters, no man made accommodations along the route, no signs, the path improved, route maps few and far between, I had one, still have it and it made all the difference to deciding how far to go each day and where to camp. There were no regulations on how many could enter but we had Machu Picchu to ourselves until the first train and tourists arrive. Lovely to have a place like that to ourselves for a few hours, especially for photos. A journey no one will ever forget and always treasure, no matter when you do it.
+George McKay Sounds amazing! I would have really enjoyed seeing the place with fewer people.
Thanks for posting these videos of your trip. I've watched the full series and they have been so useful in preparation for my visit next month.
Love your video, I used to guide inca trail and you have done an awesome job representing it. Thank you for visiting the country where I was born. Btw living in the US since 1992 Portland Oregon and now in DC for work. Thanks for the amazing video guys
wow - thank you for this. I did the hike last October 2014 and it is brilliant to watch and listen to your commentary. Brings back so many wonderful memories. I am 58 years old and I have to say I did struggle on Day 2 but, hey, I made it :-) Such an amazing trip isn't it. Another reason for loving your video is that for so much of the time you are so concentrating on each step so as not to trip that now and again you realise you are missing the scenery.
+thatsamore56 So glad to be able to help you bring back the feelings of the place and time. Video has an amazing ability to do that.
Thanks for your series, it has given me a lot of encouragement that I should be OK to do the - fly out from UK 1st November - the paths look just like the UK mountain ones I have walked many times, apart from the climbs and descents go on for a lot longer. Also thanks for the packing video, we have a porters for the major items but off to get a lightweight quilted jacket tomorrow and polyester shirts, was going to take standard cotton ones, so thanks for that
+Simon Lee I hope you fully enjoyed your trip!
+EnergyRouter Yes, altitude sickness was a downer but got over it before the trek, went with the Green Machine, so their Day 2 - Dead Womans and then Condor Pass in the afternoon was a killer on the legs when coming down - but really glad I made the effort to get to Peru Cheers
Great videos. Heading there next month. Thanks for all the great advice.
Great work Matt. Very helpful...heading there in a few weeks.
Thank you very much. This video was so helpful in what to pack. I can't wait for my trip next year.
I got chills when you got to the sungate
Thanks for the information!! This is going to help a lot!
Hello great Video and tons of great information. I just want to know a few things... Water did you use camel packs and also did you use any type of filtration straws or something like? Are there showers any where in the camps or on trails i don't care if is cold water just like to shower once a day. I believe is refreshing thing to do specially while being outdoors and hiking all day.
What an amazing set of videos, all very informative. I love the fact that you are very real in them: yes it's hard, and yes it's beautiful, both face of the same coin. My husband and I are planning to do it in 2 years, in 2020. I was just very curious to know the name of the company you used for the guide and the porters as they all seem very professional. I would very much appreciate this information! Thank you again for the videos that are going to help us a lot!!
Suludos desde peru ,me encanta tus videos
INCREDIBLE DESTINATION! good info & nice info sir.
I would watch this if it was on the Discovery channel. A lot better than those stupid storage place auction shows. Your what to pack video also really helped me. Thx guys, didn't catch your names.
Thanks, that's a great compliment. I can only hope that one day I can do a show about the world's best treks. We are Matt and Amanda. Glad we could be of help. Take care!
Amazing videos, planning on doing this trail next year :) Your backpacks look quite large, I read to only take a day pack if you are making use of the porters. Do you think a 35L would be big enough for 4D and 3N?
Love the view!
everyone is welcome to my country!!! theres more than machu picchu to visiting but yeah mp its the big
Very nice videos planning on heading may 2016!
Great video,very helpful. Thank you for sharing.What lenses you used? What is the zoom length ?
17x optical zoom, no additional lenses
Hi, did you find your daypack to be significant for the trail? Seems cumbersome, I bought mine yesterday a 40Liter you think that efficient?
Muito bom, interessante!
I love Your videos!
+Malgorzata Maleszewska Thank you :) I love to make them!
How did you guys go back? Also 4 days or helicopter? Havasu has that option but not as high as this!
I would love to do this, but fear of heights says hell no.
What is the name of the company you went with. Do they have oxygen with them? Did you need any.
Hi, the company was called United Mice. They do carry oxygen. Your guide should have have it in case it is needed.
the porters are the real MVPs
Yes, that is 100% true. They do so much work and get little recognition.
The real true heroes are the Inca Ancestors who built this beautiful spiritual
place.
What camera did you use for this?
It was a Sony CX360v. Not available anymore, but there are plenty of great HD cameras out there that are similar.
I wonder how many other cities are hidden in the Andes.
anonymous bigshot I was wondering that myself...I believe there are still people who go out in search of undiscovered ruins. Seems unlikely that we'd find anymore, but you never know!
Do the porters carry water for us?
They get water out of the streams along the trail near each camp, boil it, and let it cool down to resupply you. You need to carry a few durable water bottles, and they will refill them for you during the day if necessary
where is the day 4?
ua-cam.com/video/1zmFH7byEWw/v-deo.html
oh, and I would not have been without my best friends .. my poles! I had absolutely no after affects whatsoever :-)
Why do you need porters? Can't you carry your own luggage?
+alasdair geddes It's not the luggage that requires porters. As you can see, I carried my own gear. It is illegal to enter the park without a guide. As a result, you need 4 days of food, water, tents for sleeping and cooking, cookware, fuel, and personal gear for each person in your group + the guide. The amount of gear needed requires extra people to help carry it all. Having extra people then requires even more food, water, tents, etc. so then you add more people again.
EnergyRouter Can't you get a guide and carry your own tent? 4 days of kit is not a lot- I could fit a weeks worth of kit into the bag that you're carrying. I can understand that there's rules though so that's fair enough.
alasdair geddes You might be able to find a guide that will do it that way, but it would be a unique arrangement. I'm not suggesting that it couldn't be done by a solo hiker carrying all his own gear. It definitely can, but the Peruvian government won't allow it under normal circumstances. This is a mix of a guided tour and a trek, not a self-sustained backcountry adventure. That's just the way it's set up. If you see my Kilimanjaro series, you'll see the same exact arrangement. Nobody is expected to carry 45kg all the way up to 5,895 meters. 99% of people wouldn't make it under those conditions at Machu Picchu or Kili.
ok, I see your point. I'd like to do both of those trips at some point and although I like doing everything myself, I'd probably have to do a guided tour. Great videos by the way.
Thank you! I would recommend both trips- they're totally worth it! And even with the porters, they're very enjoyable and inspiring. Let me know if you decide to go at some point!
dude ...wear some shades or contacts..your eyes are cursed!