Our Inca Trail hike was the adventure of a lifetime. We had a very nice small group of like-minded travelers who all got along and joked; we made friends we will cherish for a long time. Best of all though was our guide, Victor. He was always friendly and helped us through the hardest parts of the hike without ever losing his smile and encouraged us when we didn't think we could hike a single step further. The porters were always ready with a smile and the cup of tea in the morning was fantastic. Whenever we passed them on the trail they would always greet us and, even though they didn't speak much English and we didn't speak any Quechua, we could chat for a few seconds.
As for the trail itself, it is a hike that none of us will ever forget. Even with the rain that greeted us in the mornings, nothing could spoil the great views and magnificent ruins that we passed along the way. The view from the top of Dead Woman's Pass is one that I will never forget. Being able to see the terrain change from the high desert of the Andes to the jungle closer toward the end was wonderful. Nothing will top the sense of accomplishment that we felt once we reached the Sun Gate and saw Machu Picchu splayed out below us, and as we wandered among this amazing relic of a lost empire we couldn't help but think that we might appreciate it a bit more than those who took the easy route and came by train. The trail is not for the faint of heart, but is an experience we will remember forever.