Whats the Inca Trail hike like?
From Cusco you can do a two or four day hike to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. The hike is strenuous. I’m not sure exactly how many stair-steps there are, but it would be a good idea to get out your Stairmaster and do a little fitness work prior to going. That being said, everyone from little kids to groups of seniors do the trek, so it’s definitely doable. I did not personally do the hike as I balked at the price tag (expect to pay around $400 for the four day hike), the necessity to book three months in advance, and the less than glamorous prospect of hiking in a 20 – 30 person caravan (your average hike will have 15 – 20 hikers, plus porters, guides, cooks). This isn’t to dissuade anyone from doing the hike; it certainly has a romanticism that taking the bus does not. Just be aware that this is the reality of the hike, and plan accordingly. I’m assuming private guides can be arranged for your party of two, but expect to pay a serious premium for this service. Hiking the trail witho
