(Part 2 of a summary from my trip to South America in late July 2015)

After three days in Lima, my four traveling companions and I packed our bags and took an hour flight southeast to Cusco, Peru. While in Cusco, we stayed at the Homestay en Cusco, run by Carlos and Jackie and booked thru Airbnb. Although we stayed for only two nights, Jackie was more than welcoming. She rose early to prepare breakfast each morning and allowed us to store our belongings that we were not bringing on our hike.

Cusco was the jumping off point for our four-day trek along the Lares Trail and trip to Machu Picchu booked through Inkayni Peru Tours. The night before beginning the trek, Percy, an Inkayni representative, traveled to our accommodations and briefed us on the upcoming four days. He informed us that we would hike between 7-8 miles per day; reach a maximum elevation of nearly 15,800 feet and face near freezing temperatures at night. This weather forecast increased nerves in our group and we made a last minute shopping trip to purchase additional base layers, coats and hats.

The following morning we were picked up early and transported from Cusco to the trailhead in a region known as the Sacred Valley. Along the way we picked up our guides, porters and chef that would accompany us over the next four days. Unlike larger tour companies that lead 20-30 people in a single group along the Inca Trail, my fellow travelers and I were the only ones in our group and thus the whole experience felt that much more personable and private.

Throughout the following days, our guide, Edgar, explained the tenants of Incan beliefs, the reasons the trails were blazed through the mountains and the fact that he hoped our experiences would change us as individuals even after we departed the Sacred Valley and returned to America.  He explained that Incan’s were devoted to Paccha Mama (mother earth) and no matter what material possessions we accumulated during our lives, in the end we return to the Earth where we originated. A second major tenant that he kept referring to during the four days were unending “Love, Patience, and Character”-three aspects of life that are difficult to attain and maintain but necessary in order to achieve happiness.  My friends and I agreed that it was eye opening to hear this from someone who truly loves what he does and holds nature and family more dearly than any material possession.

Each day when we trekked into camp, we were met with delicious food, pitched tents, down sleeping bags, water, and metal plates and silverware…all a product of the 6 porters and chef who hauled each piece of gear. Over time the five of us became family with those porters and it was bittersweet to wish them farewell. If you’re traveling to Peru and wish to trek to Machu Picchu I cannot recommend Inkayni Peru Tours enough and ask for Edgar. He will undoubtedly provide you a life changing experience.