It’s done! We’re safely settled at the Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco (new spelling preferred by our Quechuan Inca Trek guide, Julian Perez), but the whole story of our Inca Trail Expedition will be laid out in a series of posts over the next few days. See www.davetzold.wordpress.com for the blog I created on the trip. The physical and mental challenges, the weather, the beautiful trail experience with our porters, cook and guide from Llama Path, the interaction with our fellow pilgrims, the final glorious descent to Machu Picchu on the last day, and the Dunkirk-like escape from Aguas Calientes and the raging Urubamba River on the 23rd of January! It’s a story that will thrill, chill and amaze…and hopefully inspire, many of you to reach for that dream that you thought might never be achievable. The photos alone will take a while to sort through and post, much less the memories, impressions and images of the experience that are bouncing around in my head as we get ready to fly to Lima at noon today, and then say goodbye to Peru…for now!

I cannot find higher praise to recommend our outfitter, Llama Path! Words simply fail me. The teamwork exhibited by the porters, cooks and our guide Julian Perez was astonishing! We were only a three-person group, and hired them for an Imperial Trek...a private group trek. Still, there were seven porters a cook and our guide Julian to make this an experience of a lifetime. The fact it was the rainy season, and the exciting escape from the flooded Urubamba River town of Aguas Calientes only accented the adventure of the trip.

The only advice I would have: Be Prepared. 1) Train for the trek starting months in advance. Walk stairs, lots of them...frequently! 2) Have the right shoes. Sturdy boots are highly recommended, especially water-proof boots. 3) Invest in a rain suit...a good one that breaths. 4) Use two trek poles...you will not regret it! 5) Stay in Cuzco at least three days before you depart on the trek; its a beautiful town anyway, but acclimating to the altitude makes all the difference.