I hiked the inca trail back in 2000. It was spectacular. Things to note: there are two ways you can hike the trail. You can do the entire trail which can take five or six days. Or you can hike what they call the Kilometer 14 route which is only an overnighter. We chose the latter due to time constraints. Not sure which you'll do but the short one was long enough for me given the altitude.

We arrived in Cusco and gave ourselves two days to acclimate to the altitude. It definitely kicked our ass for the first day. There are vendors on everycorner selling coca leaves to chew on to help with the altitude. They work awesome and do indeed help. You'll see tourists with green drool everywhere chewing on these things. Later we found that coca tea bags were available and they do the job much better and don't leave you with a mouth of cud. drop a few bags in your bottled water while you're hiking. The natural stimulants help ease the altitude effects...just remember to throw them away BEFORE you get to the airport to go home...ask me how my interview with customs went on that point.

The overnight spot is at the Winya Wayna ruins. Spectacular. There is a youth hostel with limited facilities next to it. Tent spaces are available to rent and showers...well, the line was so long I went to bed instead. You'll be humbled by the locals while hiking the trail. We were stopping every mile or two to catch our wind while little eight year olds were flying by us with 50lb bags of rice on their backs supplying the hostel. Get up early when you make the last leg to Macchu Piccu...the sunrise over the ruins makes the whole trip worthwhile.

Good luck, have fun...and be sure to hit the discos in Cusco before or after your hike. They're a blast.
-shad

...and if you decide to try the Cuy (guinea pig) get it in the peanut sauce over rice already stripped from the bone. I got mine whole on stick and it was tasty but disturbing to pick apart....
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Shad
'70 2002 "Bimmerschmitt"
'70 2002 BADUDA aka 'Wall Art'
'72 2002 25HR Thunderhill Enduro Legend (of the mind)
'73 2002 Rolling Shell = Future Money Waster
'79 528i New Daily Driver