One of the 7 Wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is literally a city in the sky. It was built at the height of the Inca Empire and is believed to have been abandoned 100 years later because of the Spanish Conquest. Machu Picchu, nicknamed the ‘City in the Clouds’, is the name of the mountain where the city was built.
After it was abandoned, Machu Picchu was lost for over 3 centuries, until Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911. What’s incredible about this discovery is that the city is located only 80 km away from the Inca capital, Cusco and it would have been destroyed if the Spanish had found it. The once “lost city” is still available for us to explore—and that is exactly what I plan to do!
Through lots of planning, coordinating with Penny at Momentum Sport Travel, and retrieving feedback from interested candidates, I have organized a phenomenal 2 week adventure to Peru and Bolivia. In this adventure we will be hiking the Inca Trail itself and we will explore Machu Picchu. This trip is going to be life-changing and there is no better time to sign up than today!
About the Trip
Starting in Cusco, we will spend 2 nights acclimatizing to the higher elevation, visiting the lavish Cathedral, the Coco Museum and the San Pedro Market. At the Monasterio Hotel, we will try a pisco sour – Peru’s national drink and then we will be taken through the Plaza de Armas where there is a very authentic Margherita pizza restaurant to try out!
On Day 3, we will discover Sacred Valley and the ruins of Pisac. We will learn about the history from a local tour guide and visit the town of Pisac to shop and have lunch.
The Hike
On Day 4, we will start the Inca Trail with an uphill hike to the campsite at 3100 meters above sea level. Here we will have phenomenal views of the snow capped Mount Veronica Peak. The porters will carry our tents, set up our camp sites, and prepare our meals so that we can focus on the scenery around us and on the hike itself.
Day 5 will be the most challenging part of the hike: a section called ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ because it is the highest point of the trail at about 4200 m above sea level – it will provide a spectacular view of the valley and it is definitely worth the effort! On the following day, we will see Mount Cordillera Vilcabamba as we descend for about 2 to 3 hours reaching the ruins of Sayacmarca and the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, or the ‘Town in the Clouds’. We will end our hike with the breathtaking views of the lost city, Machu Picchu, where we can walk around and take pictures of our spectacular surroundings.
Post Hike
Of course, our trip does not end there. We will also be visiting Cusco/Puno to mingle with the locals and learn about the Andean customs and culture, which are still very much prevalent. We will take a motor boat tour across Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, and visit the Uros floating islands. We will end the last few days visiting Copacabana, Sun Island (where we will have a full day tour), the Pilkokaina Inca Palace, the Inca Gardens, the Staircase and the Inca Fountain. We will visit the Holy Rock, which is where the Incas believed the sun was first seen and enjoy a boxed lunch looking over the mountains and Lake Titicaca.
On the last day, we will travel from Copacabana to La Paz, Bolivia – the highest capital city in the world. There are lots of markets selling food, flowers and things you’ve probably never seen before, including llama fetuses at the Witches’ Market! There are also incredible churches, museums and golf courses to check out so there will be lots to see in the city!
I am so excited to share this trip with fellow IF members and anyone who has this on their bucket-list! This truly is a trip of a lifetime and it is not one to postpone. I cannot wait.
How To Join
Don’t miss out! Get on board and sign up before November 25th.
To sign up or to ask questions, please call me at 778-231-4292 or email me at . You can also contact Penny Lidstone at Momentum Sport Travel at 604-980-1235 or e-mail .
Cheers!
—
Camille Hindley, BA CMNS, ACSM-CPT, FMS Level 2
Events Manager
Innovative Fitness – Four Seasons
Cell: 778.231.4292/Phone:604.609.5450
