In december of 2012, I decided to make a two week trip to Peru with the main purpose of reaching Machu Picchu before New Year’s Eve.

After a little research, I decided to do the famous Inka Jungle Trek, a lighter version of the Inca Trail, which includes biking down the Andes, passing through several small villages, rafting (if the river isn’t too crazy), zip-lining, trekking and hanging out with the locals before reaching Aguas Calientes by foot instead of using the train and then walking up the thousands of stairs that lead to Machu Picchu just right before sunrise.

It’s safe to say that this is one of my favorite life experiences so far, I made a lot of good friends, saw things you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise and got the chance to dance Gangnam Style with two koreans on top of Machu Picchu. You can’t beat that!

Check some of the photos I took during those days.

 

The cloudy Andes, moments before biking them down

 

Totally safe road for biking

 

More of the Andes in all its glory

 

Beer, boobs and Jesus. What else do you need in life?

 

Alfredo, our fearless guide

 

Preparing a coca blunt to chew the hangover away

 

Walking beside the railway before reaching Aguas Calientes

 

Reglamentary picture of Machu Picchu

 

I wasn’t joking about the Gangnam Style dance. Photo credit goes to my german friend, Anne Baumann

Where next?

• 

  Episode 2: La Huasteca’s secrets

• 

  Machu Picchu terraces [Highlight]