9The Inca Trail, Peru
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a test of both physical endurance and mental resilience. This four-day trek takes you through the rugged Andean mountains, across steep passes, and along ancient stone paths built by the Incas. The trail reaches altitudes of up to 4,215 meters (13,828 feet) at Dead Woman’s Pass, where the thin air can make breathing difficult. The journey is physically demanding, with long days of trekking and challenging terrain, but the reward of arriving at the Sun Gate and seeing the misty ruins of Machu Picchu makes it all worthwhile.
