Two years ago, I embarked upon a journey that changed my life: the Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu. It was the first time I’ve traveled to South America and a remarkable experience. I took on the physical and mental challenge of hiking for 12-16 km over the course of 4 days in oxygen thin air with only my backpack and camping gear. But most importantly, I had the opportunity to learn about the Incan way of life, an awe-inspiring and spiritual experience.

There are moments in your life when you realize the true power of the human spirit. This was one of those moments. By fulfilling my dream and also conquering my fears, I was able to bring home so many learnings: a new found respect for the world we live in, strength and courage that I can achieve anything I set my mind to, and a realization that humans are all similar fundamentally in the values that they share.

I toured with the company Peru Treks, which I would highly recommend to anyone who is venturing upon this journey: www.perutreks.com. Our guides were so knowledgeable and kind that they felt like close friends at the end of the trek. The porters who were carrying our food were also extraordinary human beings – the sheer dedication and strength they showed us each day was humbling. The meals cooked were also fabulous and many times the best reprieve after a long days hike.

There has been some media stories about flooding on the Inca Trail area recently due to the rainy season. The good news is the trek is still open! Please ensure that you do not book during the rainy season - the best time to do the trek is June, July, and August. To find out more visit: www.perutreks.com/travel_information.html.

For a glimpse at what the trek was like for me, be sure to check out the following video, a collection of the photos I took during the trek as well as my journal entries.

By Jennifer Dooley
www.allofustogether.ca