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A Journey Inspired.

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A Journey Inspired.

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A Journey Inspired
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Everything I wish I knew for packing before the Sa

Everything I wish I knew for packing before the Salkantay trek ⤵️

(many of these tips and gear recs are applicable for day hiking and other popular treks in Central/South America too like Acatenango! 🌋)
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This is Part 5 of my Salkantay Trek series so if you want to see what the journey was actually like, check out my previous posts :)

Tbh the guided tour Salkantay trek feels like luxury, but without it, it’s pretty hard to logistically accomplish. The hike’s still hard at altitude, if I had the choice I’d actually carry my own belongings without a porter.

There’s so much I learned on this trek that you only know from experience so I want to share so you can be prepared and not learn the hard way 😅 keep in mind every tour company might be slightly different!

PACKING LIST ➡️ If you want the full packing list in the carousel with gear recs, COMMENT below and I’ll send it to you.

OTHER TIPS ⬇️

• The water provided by the cooks is filtered and safe and so much effort goes into this. I didn’t use an extra filter I brought

• Share items whenever you can like shampoo, sanitizer, sunscreen, bug spray.

• Plan for all seasons. Day 1 you’re bundled in a puffer, shell, gloves, and toque in the alpine and by the last day you’re sweating in a t-shirt in the jungle.

• pack snacks because what they give you isn’t enough

• Your daypack can’t be too big. Machu Picchu has strict bag size limits

• Bring your own sleeping bag liner. I’d also bring my own sleeping bag next time. We actually negotiated and got all our rentals for free including hiking poles, sleeping bag, liner, and upgraded mattress.

• Save 1 clean outfit for Aguas Calientes - you’ll want clean clothes after the hot shower at the end

• Before the trek, your luggage is stored at a large facility. On the last day it’s a bit chaotic getting everything back into your suitcase on the street

• no one wears shorts in South America!

• Bring change in soles for tips, snacks, bathrooms, & hot springs.

• Hiking boots were overkill for me. They asked us to bring runners too and I changed into them after day 1

Any questions? Follow @ajourneyinspired for more adventure travel tips!!

#perutravel

Do you think Machu Picchu is really worth visiting

Do you think Machu Picchu is really worth visiting (and hiking for many days to see)?

Save these tips if seeing this Wonder of the World in Peru is on your bucket list! 🤍
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In November I had the chance to lead a women’s only group trip to Peru and it was one of the best experiences in my life (and I would love you to join me next time!!)

I came back with sooo many tips stories to tell you including what I’ll detail below so send this to your travel buddy and keep reading! ⬇️

Everyone shares this iconic postcard photo, but very few people talk about how nuanced visiting Machu Picchu actually is, especially once tickets, circuits, time slots, weather, and transport are involved.

Here’s the story of what actually happened to us behind the scenes ⤵️

A few months before our trip, Kerry and I discovered our tour guide @trekwithalpaca accidentally booked us Circuit 3 for the 6-9am entry, which does not include the classic postcard viewpoint.

Circuit 2 (the most popular circuit with the best mix of viewpoints + ruins) was completely sold out online. This was so disappointing 😭 Fortunately because we discovered this ahead before our trip, through back channels, @mapo_tapo managed to secure Circuit 2 tickets for 9-12pm later that same morning.

The day we had been anticipating finally comes. It was rainy season and completely foggy when we entered zero visibility (see the carousel for realistic pictures!) We still went ahead and toured circuit 3B in complete fog at 6am, but all of a sudden at 8:30am the fog lifted, just in time for our Circuit 2 tour!

Doing two tours in one morning, despite being exhausted from trekking the Salkantay, turned into the most perfect Machu Picchu day we could have asked for. Plus it was basically buy-one-get-one-free because of the tour guide’s mistake 😂 And this is why I believe everything happens for a reason ❤️
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This post is part of my “What it’s really like to hike the Salkantay Trek” series. If you’re planning Peru, hiking South America, or just dreaming right now…

👉 Follow @ajourneyinspired for more tips and honest recommendations!

If you have any questions comment below or DM us!

Looking back, the best parts of this year weren’

If wild ice skating is on your bucketlist, save th

If wild ice skating is on your bucketlist, save these unique tips! ⤵️

Skating on lakes in the Canadian Rockies is magical, but timing and conditions may matter more than the location itself and sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw!

1️⃣The best skating usually happens after lakes are fully frozen but before heavy snowfall. Some lakes show beautiful patterns but after the first snow fall they are no longer visible. Snow can insulate weak spots and hide cracks.

2️⃣ This year we’ve had abnormal amount of snow which has actually prevented the lakes from freezing properly! Lake Louise is usually ready by Christmas but it was still not ready this week when we went.

3️⃣ Always check ice thickness (at least 10–12 cm or 4-5in of clear ice), look for signs of other skaters, and don’t assume a popular lake is safe just because it was last week. If the lake looks unvisited for days, maybe don’t go! Ice conditions can change fast

4️⃣ Daylight hours are shorter in the winter so give yourself the proper amount of time so you’re not skating in the dark

5️⃣ Make sure to sharpen your skates before to prevent catching on bumps unnecessarily because wild can be very rugged. The ice also ruins your blades quicker so you may need to go for another sharpening soon after.

6️⃣ Facebook groups like “Wild Ice Alberta” and “Bow Valley Wild Ice” are especially helpful for current conditions from locals.

7️⃣ Study up on how to self rescue (ie. from YouTube) if you do fall into the water - you never know when you might need it and hypothermia can be very quick and serious!

8️⃣Always go with a buddy and tell someone who is not with you where you are.

9️⃣ Wear a helmet especially if you’re not familiar with skating

🔟Always bring a shovel even if it hasn’t snowed recently. Wild ice skating is a community effort. People clear ice for each other, not just themselves, and that’s part of what makes it special.

Leave no trace: pack out anything you bring and help keep the ice clean for everyone.

Is skating in the Rockies on your bucket list?

DM me if you want the location to skate here and other suggestions and follow @ajourneyinspired for more outdoor adventure tips!

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