The Andes, Peru

Walking to Machu Picchu [Photo Essay]

By Sergio Camalich

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.

 

416435_10151173853105025_1522405888_oThe cloudy Andes, moments before biking them down

 

738081_10151173853715025_2094225472_oTotally safe road for biking

 

737738_10151173853055025_434780982_oMore of the Andes in all its glory

 

736915_10151173863485025_453448412_oBeer, boobs and Jesus. What else do you need in life?

 

DSC_0706Alfredo, our fearless guide

 

327595_10151173858375025_1052964813_oPreparing a coca blunt to chew the hangover away

 

736944_10151173864735025_1400967962_oWalking beside the railway before reaching Aguas Calientes

 

737562_10151173867685025_254004589_oReglamentary picture of Machu Picchu

 

616797_10151184083360025_848166838_o-2I wasn’t joking about the Gangnam Style dance. Photo credit goes to my german friend, Anne Baumann

Where next?