I always rave about my trips with G Adventures but never got around to actually writing about them. Time to fix that — starting with the trip to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail.
If you're going as a solo traveller and don't fancy the hike, the train to Machu Picchu is a completely valid alternative. The tour price for the trek itself was excellent, and my only real hesitation was timing — January tends to be rainy in this part of Peru, but it was the only window I had available. I ordered hiking boots, a backpack and a few other essentials on Amazon and felt ready to go. Read the full Inca Trail packing list for exactly what I packed.
Lima to Cusco
I landed in Lima just before midnight, flying straight on to Cusco from there. The connecting flight didn't leave until around 3am, so there was plenty of time to sit around and wait. Landing in Cusco as the sun came up made the whole thing feel genuinely magical — mountains on either side of the plane lit up in sunrise colours. I'd booked an airport transfer through G Adventures, and they were right on time.
After a quick nap I decided to explore rather than waste the day, since we weren't meeting as a group until that evening. My roommate turned out to be a British woman around my age — a great match. Downstairs we met an Australian guy from the same tour group who'd already been in Cusco a couple of days, and the three of us explored together for the afternoon.
The G Adventures Group Meeting
That evening we met the rest of the group — Canadians, Americans, Australians, a few Brits, and me. Everyone was roughly the same age, which made the group dynamic easy from the start. Our guides were Cho Cho and his partner Edison, both immediately likeable and clearly experienced. They walked us through the trek itself, what needed to go in our day packs versus what the porters would carry in our duffels, and answered every question we threw at them — and there were a lot. We sorted our camping gear and felt properly ready. That evening a few of us went out for beer tasting and dinner before the tour officially started the next morning.
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Free Inca Trail Packing List
Tested on the classic 4-day trek to Machu Picchu.
Day 1 — Cusco to the Sacred Valley
We left Cusco for a lookout point, snapped photos, then continued to the G Adventures women's weaving co-operative. Genuinely one of the best stops of the day — watching the women dye wool and weave traditional patterns by hand, in a shop full of beautiful, colourful pieces. Money spent here goes directly back into supporting the community. I bought an alpaca scarf that's since proven invaluable on more trips than I can count.
G Adventures women's weaving co-op
From there, on to the Sacred Valley — where the Inca ruins begin, and where the real excitement for the days ahead starts to build. Beautiful, if busy.
The Sacred Valley
Lunch that day was a genuine highlight — Peruvian food is extraordinary. I'd mentioned being gluten intolerant to our guide, and G Adventures made sure I was properly catered for throughout. Quinoa, vegetables, corn breads, corn-based juices — try everything at least once.
Ollantaytambo — The Test Before the Trail
Next stop: Ollantaytambo, effectively a fitness test for the real hike starting the following day. An enormous number of stairs.
The ruins at Ollantaytambo
By the top, I felt genuinely unfit and underprepared — a useful wake-up call before the trek itself. The ruins and the views from up there were extraordinary regardless.
Ollantaytambo from the ruins
Altitude Tip
Ollantaytambo is a genuinely useful gauge for how your body is handling the altitude before you commit to four days on the trail. If you're struggling here, it's worth mentioning to your guide — there's still time to adjust your pace plan before the trek starts.
That evening, after grabbing a few last-minute essentials, the group had dinner together. I had the alpaca dish with a pisco sour — alpaca tastes similar to beef, but noticeably leaner and more tender. Tomorrow started with a bus to Km 82, the actual starting point of the hike. Everyone turned in early, ready for the big day ahead.
Free Download
Free Inca Trail Packing List
Tested on the classic 4-day trek to Machu Picchu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — most G Adventures Inca Trail trips start with a briefing evening in Cusco, followed by a day exploring the Sacred Valley before the trek itself begins. Arriving a couple of days early also helps with acclimatising to the altitude, which matters more than people expect.
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