The Inca Empire from Gap Adventures is a fantastic tour travelling through Bolivia and Peru with a focus on The Inca Trail. This tour is designed to offer an authentic and memorable travel experience whether you are looking to immerse yourself in local culture, come face-to-face with exotic wildlife, or simply feel the exhilaration of active exploration. The areas and cities I visited on the Inca Empire tour began with La Paz, then on to Puno with a homestay at Lake Titicaca. The journey continued to Cuzco and Ollantaytambo before taking us along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and finishing in Lima.

This part of the world is simply unforgettable. The blend of ancient civilizations with contemporary Peruvian and Bolivian society, set against a backdrop of amazing natural beauty, opened a new window in my life. I loved the feel of the old cobbled streets of Cuzco, the warm hospitality of the isolated people in Lake Titicaca, and the daily bustle of La Paz.

The highlight of this amazing trip for me would certainly be the three-day hike along the Inca Trail, ending with a breathtaking sunrise over Machu Picchu. Even though I had been training for the hike beforehand, I left feeling a little nervous about the Inca Trail. I had heard many stories regarding the difficulty of the hike and the effects of altitude on trekkers. The Gap tour guides helped me feel at ease by giving a detailed information session on what to expect, the safety precautions that would be followed, and the delicious meals we would enjoy at the end of each day of hiking.

We began our journey along the original trail of the Incas at KM82. The local guides and porters, hand-picked by Gap, make the trip worry free. Our first day took us past fascinating ruins and spectacular mountain scenery, as would every other day of the trek. On day two we reached Dead Woman Pass at an elevation of 4200 meters above sea level! The hike is definitely a challenge, and I would recommend a medium to high level of fitness to be able to properly enjoy the adventure. On our final day we arose at 4 am to climb the steps to Intipunku, the ‘sun gate,’ for our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Exhausted but extremely lucky to have a perfectly clear day, we enjoyed a full view of the World Heritage Site. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and gave a compelling account of the people of this ancient civilization.

Another highlight for me was the opportunity to experience a homestay with the local Peruvian people of Lake Titicaca. We stayed overnight in a small village where we ate with a host family and even played soccer with the kids! We had the opportunity to attend a special social event held in the town where we dressed in native attire and danced late into the night.

The Inca Empire tour with Gap Adventures allowed me to encounter people and places I never could have accessed on my own. From the awe-inspiring scenery and ruins of the Inca trail to the modern cities of Cuzco, Lima and La Paz, this is a great tour for anyone with an adventurous spirit looking for that once in a lifetime opportunity.

Includes: accommodation, transportation, local payment, tour leader, some meals.

CDN$, per person. Land only. Other dates available, prices may vary, please contact us for details. Booking code GAA.

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