Despite having worked as an editor at several adventure travel magazines, author Mark Adams hadn’t slept in a tent since 1978 and didn’t have any real outdoor experience at all. That’s when he decided it was time for him to take an adventure. And what he chose to do was no minor undertaking.

Adams had come across the name of the infamous explorer Hiram Bingham III, who in 1911 had been in Peru searching for the Lost City of the Incas when he instead landed upon the spectacular site that is Machu Picchu. As the 100th Anniversary of that discovery neared, Adams became intrigued with Bingham, his adventures and all the questions that still float out there today about Machu Picchu’s mysterious past.

Turn Right at Machu Picchu jumps back and forth in time, from past to present and back again as Adams follows Bingham’s journey (on foot!), tries to get to the bottom of the controversy surrounding Bingham’s explorations, and seeks to unravel some of the mystery and theories behind Machu Picchu.

Adams takes the reader on a journey through Peru, up mountains, through jungles, and across valleys to rediscover various Inca sites, and ultimately, Machu Picchu. We’re brought along on his brutal and oftentimes amusing trek, and offered a detailed glimpse into the fascinating history of Peru.

Get it now: Order Turn Right at Machu Picchu on Amazon.

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The funny thing is, for most of my life, I would consider myself to be more of a dirtbag-style traveler. Surfing, climbing, fishing or just for the sake of traveling. I like to wander far from the worn path and I am definitely a “journey is the destination” kind of person. I want to hang where the locals do and at this point in my life, I still prefer to sleep on the ground under the stars over staying in a swanky hotel. This last spring though, I found myself shacked up in one of the most luxurious lodges I’ve ever seen.

I had come to Peru on assignment almost a week prior to shoot photos for a lodge-to-lodge trekking trip to Machu Picchu.

Flying into Cusco, I spent my first days exploring the city and the Sacred Valley, visiting markets, ruins, shops, and of course, eating the food. Peru can be a bit overwhelming at times, but in a good way. It is truly a feast for the senses. There is just so much to see, do and experience…the food, the people, the colors. Cusco has this fascinating, in your face collision of ancient culture and new. A respect for what is old and rooted, but with the normal hustle and bustle of a big city.

The night before the first day of our trek I sat down with my fellow lodge travelers and our guide for a pre-trip meeting.  The next morning, we were off on a 1/2-day drive through the country, winding down into valleys and back up into the mountains. We drove through villages, passing farms and ruins and after more than a few sporty turns, we pulled up to the trailhead in the early afternoon. Excited to be out of the van and begin our journey to the first lodge, we followed a mellow trail accompanied by the sounds of a river below. We wandered up through grasslands, visited with friendly horses and passed by short, old growth pines. Hiking along an ancient Inca aqueduct lined with beautiful purple lupine waving in the mild breeze we came upon our first views of Soraypampa Lodge, the first of four inns we would be spending our time in along the Camino Salkantay, the high route to Machu Picchu.

Soraypampa Lodge is impressive. From the trail it sits naturally at the base of a massive cliff in a huge, grassy, green valley filled with wandering horses, cascading waterfalls, and off in the distance, peeking out from swirling clouds, are towering, glacier-covered peaks.

Finally arriving, we were welcomed by the staff with fresh juice and smiles. In fact, waiting for you at the beginning and end of each day, were friendly staff, hot showers, elegant healthy meals, down feather beds and a hot tub. They take this even a step further; in your bed every night, you will find a hot water bottle waiting for you. Why not?

A big hike every day, 20,000-foot glacier-capped peaks, an occasional Andean Condor and ending each day with an amazing meal and a hot shower.  Really, it wasn’t so bad and I endured. I’m open minded and despite my ground-dwelling, dirtbag tendencies, I’m quite adaptable and could get used to an occasional trip like this.

The rest of the trek was filled with more spectacular views, full days of hiking and always ended with another unbelievable lodge set in a completely different environment. We did eventually reach Machu Picchu and it was all it’s made out to be. But I believe spending the time and effort hiking with a diverse group of people to get to the Lost City of the Inca made our visit all the more enriching. In the end, the journey is what made the experience extraordinary.

Want to see more of adventure photographer Justin Bailie’s photos?  Click here to view his full Peru album or visit his Website at www.justinbailie.com.

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A Family’s Journey to Peru

The post How To Do Machu Picchu Right appeared first on River Currents.

This past summer , Michelle Carlborg and her husband decided to tackle one of the items on their family ’s bucket list before their kids (all four of them!) were grown and gone. They headed out on O.A.R.S.’ Machu Picchu Family Adventure. Afterward, we talked to her about her family’s experience and here’s what she had to say…

How did you decide on Peru?

It was pretty spontaneous. The family vacations are getting a little more challenging to plan as the kids get older with their schedules. It was one of the things on our bucket list, so we decided we needed to do it.

What were some of the highlights of your family vacation?

Definitely the highlight for all of us was the day that we spent in the local village volunteering at a school. We went and shopped at a local market beforehand and that was quite an eye-opener. We bought food for the school children, took it to the school, served them breakfast and played with them. My husband and older son played soccer and we pushed the kids on the swings and just hung out with them most of the morning. That was definitely getting a true taste for the culture there.

What was it about going to the school that touched your family so much?

It was a huge deal that we were bringing them fresh fruit. The kids were just so appreciative. Once they got comfortable they connected with us. And the good-byes. There were huge hugs from every single kid. It took 15 minutes before we left.

Besides going into the village of Cachiccata, what other aspect of the trip did your family enjoy most?

Machu Picchu. To see that was amazing. That was the last part of the trip, and they definitely saved the best for last. It’s somewhere we’ve always wanted to go. When you get there, it’s just jaw-dropping. I asked the kids what else they liked and they loved the zip lining. That was a huge favorite. But I did not want to watch my children. They were going upside down, and 40 mph on one of them. Of course the kids loved that. And the whitewater rafting. We’re attracted to more active vacations, so having active things to do every day was very appealing. You do some volunteer work, zip line, whitewater raft, hike, see the ruins. You’re in a village, then in a city, then you camp. There was lots of variety.

What kind of lasting memories did you bring back from the experience?

We’ve looked at pictures of Machu Picchu for years. Just to be able to go and experience it was amazing. It’s really hard to put into words what it’s like to see that. It’s mind-boggling. After we finished going through it with the guides, we stayed until it closed. We just sat there. It’s really one of the most amazing places we’ve ever been. You’re left speechless by the beauty of it.

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None of us gets enough time on this planet.

This is a fact we must recognize, but never dwell on for too long. If we do, it means we’re not out making the most of the short time we do have.

I will quote the modern philosopher here, one Mr. Dylan: “He not busy being born is busy dying.”

But, with such a big world out there to explore, so many people to meet and wonders to behold, it can be hard to know where to start. Fear not, we have a few suggestions, based on over 40 years of hearing “ooohs” and “ahhhhs” from all the friends we’ve taken to various destinations.

Whip out your “bucket list,” and consider adding all of these (at the top):

The Grand Canyon — This is more than just a national park. Since John Wesley Powell and company made that first trip through the Big Ditch, this marvel of nature has captivated the imagination of millions, all around the world. It has a powerful effect on people that my words will never convey. The rock, the river, the solitude, the splendor — very few places will leave you wondering about creation and your own sense of purpose like this place.

Machu Picchu — Six centuries ago, the Inca ruled an empire from 8,000 feet above sea level, in a city built along perilous cliffs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will take you back in time, not just to Peru. You’ll marvel at how such a magnificent citadel could go “forgotten” by the world until the turn of the 20th century. And, need we add about experiencing the Andean culture, and rafting and zip lining in the Amazon?

Middle Fork of the Salmon River — The Frank Church Wilderness is the largest such protected area in the continental U.S. Through this pristine Idaho wilderness, there runs 100 miles of river, through granite canyons, alpine forest and grasslands. In those miles, you’ll find 100 sets of rapids, as well as Native American history, pioneer homesteads and a menagerie of wildlife. This is a bucket list item many people don’t even know they’re missing. Don’t be one of them.

Galápagos Islands — When you’re older and telling the stories to the great-grandkids, make sure you’ve got one in the arsenal about the blue-footed boobies, the lava lizards, and your face-to-face encounter with a penguin. Be sure you can explain how you walked in Darwin’s footsteps observing the amazing creatures found nowhere else on earth, and how you donned a mask and snorkel and went where Darwin never could. Don’t forget to tell them how you loved the sea kayaking, and the sea lions you could almost pet from the bow of the sailboat. “Ah, Ecuador,” you could tell them with a satisfied sigh.

Tatshenshini River — Here is another of the few places in the world that time forgot. Let us show you a slice of 27 million acres of Alaskan-Canadian wilderness. We’ll crawl across glacial moraines and sit beneath frozen waterfalls. We’ll raft this milky glacial river pondering the towering mountain ranges on either side. Arriving in Alsek Bay, we’ll try not to be intimidated by icebergs as big as houses, just like we did with the moose and grizzly bears we saw.

Rio Futaleufu — If your bucket list is rife with river trips, this one better be on it. “The Fu” is known in the whitewater world as one of the premier runs. This is heart-pounding class IV and V rafting in unmatched Patagonian terrain. Add to the boating some hiking, climbing, rappelling and horseback riding, and you’re talking about the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll be able to check both Argentina and Chile off your life’s travel list with this one, too.

Zambezi River — Things you’ll say after: “I thought it was already Class V rafting, but then we saw the hippos … I never knew an impala wasn’t a car until my safari in Botswana … From the helicopter, looking at the Batoka Gorge, it was as though the earth had cracked open and the water of Africa was rushing in to fill it … I learned it was one of the ‘7 Wonders of the World’ when we launched our rafts in the mist at the foot of Victoria Falls …” Make sure your bucket list includes rafting on at least 6 continents, and add the Zambezi.

Have you done any of these trips? Chime in in the comments to let people know I’m not exaggerating.

Which trip is most intriguing to you, if you’ve never been on any of them? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

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