It’s been about a week since I’ve been home, so I’ve had a bit of time to reflect on this AMAZING adventure.
Travel companions
My group? They are the BEST! I couldn’t have asked for a better group! Fourteen smart, well-traveled, fun, and interesting people from the UK, Canada, and the US. About half married, about half solo (some partnered, some not). Average age approximately 52, youngest 35, oldest 70. Around half male, half female. ALL PHENOMENAL!!!
Additionally, our guides ROCKED! Kind, helpful, knowledgeable. They did everything they could to make us feel welcomed, appreciated, safe.
Fourteen amazing people!
G Adventures
G Adventures offers several different styles of travel – Classic, 18-Thirtysomething, Family, etc. I chose National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures. (“National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures is a collection of unique tours designed to take you deeper into the cultures and habitats of the places we explore. They offer more inclusions compared to other G Adventures Travel Styles, greater hands-on exploration, interactions with local experts, and the freedom to roam, all within the structure and security of travelling in a small group.”)
This was a great choice! The itinerary includes both adventure – Inca Trail – and many cultural interactions and explorations. Plus, our accommodations were upgraded. My roommate had been on three previous G Adventures trips, all Classic, and will now only sign up for the Nat Geo trips. I highly recommend take a National Geographic Journey with G!
Leo, Inca Lead Guide, with his “bible”
Sights
Of course, I had heard of Machu Picchu before booking this trip. What I heard, though, could never fully represent the ENORMITY and AWE of this inspiring sight! Yep, it’s a place one MUST see in order to fully comprehend!
Along with the magnificence of Machu Picchu, I saw other Inca ruins, a Huaca Pucllana pyramid, and many pre-Inca sites.
Furthermore, I saw some gorgeous murals, churches, parks, etc.
One thing I’ve noticed…when I first started traveling, I fell in love with colonial buildings and plazas. For example, Spanish buildings are in Spain (duh!), Mexico, and Peru. The effects of colonialism are prevalent throughout the world. I’m ready to see “different” – different architecture, different city layouts, different homes, different cultures.
Machu Picchu – exceeded all of my expectations!
Weather
We were so fortunate to have terrific weather! It rained hard the last night on the Inca Trail, changing to a light drizzle by morning and stopping before we hiked to Machu Picchu. Other than that, the weather in Lima, Cusco, and on the Trail was the perfect temperature. The rainforest, of course, was what one would expect – hot and humid.
Fabulous weather for hiking and exploring
Culture
What I love most about traveling is meeting people of different cultures, learning about them, and experiencing their foods, drinks, and lifestyles. On this trip, our guides – Katy, Leo, Elvis, Leo, and Gina – shared their lives and culture with us. Additionally, I had the great opportunity to chat with Adriana, my private photography guide, and learn about her, her profession, and her life. As well, I chatted with others I met informally during my travels.
Something that completely engaged me was the spiritual illuminations my Inca Trail guide, Leo, shared with us. He not only provided factual information and explanations, but he also linked everything to Quechuan religion, spirituality, and community. So enlightening and meaningful!
One of many cultural experiences
Spanish
At the beginning of the year when I traveled to Mexico, I was the only one of the eight of us who spoke NO Spanish. I felt like an idiot! I hate that feeling, so I’ve been studying Spanish using the Duolingo app for now 265 days. I was shocked at how well I could communicate on this trip! My accent is horrible, my grammar needs lots of work, and my vocabulary is weak. Nonetheless, I was able to communicate in Spanish most of the time when needed. This included on public transportation, in restaurants, and bargaining in the market. What a big difference!
What I’d love to do – in the next year or two – is take a Spanish language course in a Spanish-speaking country for a month while also taking some photography lessons. Perhaps Cusco in 2025?? 🙂
Yay for Duolingo!
Gratitude
I feel immensely grateful for everyone I met, for the privilege of being able to travel, for my body’s ability to hike and persevere. Traveling opens my world up to the beauty of other cultures, people, and scenery. This trip, although at times exhausting and challenging, was simply AMAZING!!!
At the top of Dead Woman’s Pass, almost 14,000 feet
