Listen to BOTH shows on Machu Picchu! Above is Kit’s interview with Harry, and then Kit decides she has to climb Machu Picchu, too! You can listen to her experiences hiking Machu Picchu, biking the Sacred Valley, paddling the Amazon, and so much more on the podcast episode below.
Climbing Machu Picchu + Other Peru Adventures
Hike Machu Picchu’s Inca Trail and add a little biking and cultural exchange! Located about 8000 feet above sea level on a cliff overlooking the Sacred Valley in Peru, Machu Picchu deservedly claims to be one of the top archeological and architectural gems of the world.
While known by the local people, Westerners didn’t discover Machu Picchu until the early 1900s. It’s now one of the top destinations of any hiker’s bucket list. Our guest, Harry Dickens, rates it a 5 out of 5 for difficulty. Harry recounts his hike on the Inca Trail, the bike throughout the Sacred Valley, and the boat ride on Lake Titicaca. He also hiked, boated, and fished for piranhas in the Amazon as well as visited with a local family.
What is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu was built in the mid-1400’s and is believed to be a citadel and second estate for Incan emperor, Pachacuti. It was abandoned for unknown reasons during the Spanish Conquest about 100 years later. The Incas had no written language to tell us why or to describe some of its puzzling features.
The star-like stones called the Intihuatana (see the photo below), lines up exactly with the winter solstice so is believed to be a astronomic clock and/or calendar. Incas believed that the sun was a god and that this rock structure tethered the sun, holding it in place. It is sometimes referred to as the “Hitching Post of the Sun”.
The Inti Mach’ay cave is the site for the annual Royal Feast of the Sun, which culminates on the winter solstice. At this feast, royal boys become men with an ear piercing ritual performed as the sun rose. This structure is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry remaining
Machu Picchu History
Machu Picchu was built in the mid-1400’s and is believed to be a citadel and second estate for Incan emperor, Pachacuti. It was abandoned for unknown reasons during the Spanish Conquest about 100 years later. The Incas had no written language to tell us why or to describe some of its puzzling features.
The star-like stones called the Intihuatana (see the photo below), lines up exactly with the winter solstice so is believed to be a astronomic clock and/or calendar. Incas believed that the sun was a god and that this rock structure tethered the sun, holding it in place. It is sometimes referred to as the “Hitching Post of the Sun”.
The Inti Mach’ay cave is the site for the annual Royal Feast of the Sun, which culminates on the winter solstice. At this feast, royal boys become men with an ear piercing ritual performed as the sun rose. This structure is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry remaining
This brief video from National Geographic will give you a great overview of hiking the Machu Picchu Inca Trail!
Be sure to scroll down through TONS of PHOTOS!!!
Want to Hike Machu Picchu?
Getting permits can be a challenge! I recommend instead, that you go with a reliable tour company which will not only arrange for your permit, but guide you up the challenging Inca Trail (or alternate trails). Active Adventures, an affiliate of Active Travel Adventures (the name sounds similar, but we are different companies), is my “Go To” Peru and Machu Picchu adventure tour company! Their all inclusive package means that all you need to do is train and show up in order to have the ultimate, Machu Picchu experience! Please use my links, because at no additional cost to you, you will be helping to support ATA and keeping the podcast and website ad free – thanks! Kit
Other Andes Mountain Guided Hiking Tours
My other recommended tour company is Wildland Trekking, who also offers a fantastic 10 day guided hiking tour of the Cordillera Huayhuash region of the Andes, some of the highest mountains in the world!
Machu Picchu History
Machu Picchu was built in the mid-1400’s and is believed to be a citadel and second estate for Incan emperor, Pachacuti. It was abandoned for unknown reasons during the Spanish Conquest about 100 years later. The Incas had no written language to tell us why or to describe some of its puzzling features.
The star-like stones called the Intihuatana (see the photo below), lines up exactly with the winter solstice so is believed to be a astronomic clock and/or calendar. Incas believed that the sun was a god and that this rock structure tethered the sun, holding it in place. It is sometimes referred to as the “Hitching Post of the Sun”.
The Inti Mach’ay cave is the site for the annual Royal Feast of the Sun, which culminates on the winter solstice. At this feast, royal boys become men with an ear piercing ritual performed as the sun rose. This structure is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry remaining
How Did They Make Machu Picchu?
This remarkable and magical structure was formed of meticulously dry-stacked stone, chiselled to exacting proportions and shapes without benefit of iron tools, transported without wheels, and set in place without morter.
In this earthquake prone region, much of the buildings and walls of Machu Picchu remain despite the quakes: the stones ebb and bob, and then rest back into their very precise positions when tremors cease. Remarkable masonry craftsmanship!
Most of the Machu Picchu residents were laborers. The sides of the mountains are terraced to capture the ample rain (no need for irrigation), yet with gravel underlying beds, they are well drained and placed to prevent landslides. Corn and potatoes were the main crops and the balance of food needs were imported.
Machu Picchu has got to be near the top of any hiker’s Bucket List!
But be forwarned – it’s tough! Our guest, Harry Dickens, rates it a 5 out of 5 for difficulty. He says that on his adventure, only the four day trek up the Inca Trail was challenging, and that the rest of his active holiday (cycling and paddling) were fine.
The Inca Trail is virtually all stone, which can be hard on the feet and knees. Fortunately you can take the train back down which is a blessing for those of us who’s knees would rather hike UP than DOWN!
You can also take the Lares Trail which is not as strenuous. However, note that you MUST have permits to hike the trails and these need to be arranged far in advance – a year out is not out of the question.
Click the box to get your FREE Machu Picchu Travel Planner which includes the helpful links you’ll need to plan your Machu Picchu epic adventure!
Planning Your Machu Picchu Hike
Machu Picchu is naturally a very popular attraction and permits are limited. With difficulty, you can make arrangements yourself, but I recommend you connect with a reputable guide company.
Harry, our interviewee for our Machu Picchu episode used one of my favorite affiliate companies, Active Adventures. They did a trip similar to the “Jaguar” adventure which combines climbing Machu Picchu with multi-sport and a cultural exchange. They not only hiked the Inca Trail, they biked throughout the Sacred Valley, and they boated on Lake Titicaca and hiked, boated and fished for piranhas in the Amazon — PLUS visited with a local family. You can add the Lake Titicaca experience to the Jaguar tour, or if you have the time and money, do the Jaguar AND the Chinchilla tours to add Bolivia and the salt flats , too!
Hey! It’s a LONG way away, might as well go ‘all in’ and do it right!
Not all Travel Insurance policies cover adventure travel – be sure your policy does!
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