The
Incas were incredible engineers. They constructed
one of the most elaborate networks of roads and bridges
of any ancient civilization. Though they built more than
23,000 kilometers of paved roads connecting what is now
Chile to the south and Ecuador to the north, there is a
special 43 kilometer section located in Peru that links
Cusco to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. It is this link
that provides us with the rare opportunity to sample genuine
Peruvian culture, learn about the Incan civilization and
experience a one day hike (optional) on one of the most
iconic landscapes on Earth, The Inca Trail.
Welcome
to Peru. Gene and Jo Ann Taylor are the co-founders
of The Walking Connection, professional world travelers
and your hosts for an amazing adventure to one of their
most favorite places in the world.
The
Incas did not know of the wheel and did not have horses.
Their primary source of transportation was walking and they
used llamas as pack animals to carry everything they needed
throughout their empire. On your journey with us you'll
have the opportunity to view the glaciated tips of the Andes
Mountains to the deepest chasms of the valleys below as
you walk to the Sun Gate where the Inca Trail enters nto
the world famous Machu Picchu, a World Heritage
Site.
When
the Taylor's first started traveling here, it was literally
"open season" on the Inca Trail. But the large
number of visitors and trekkers began to take its toll on
the site so the Peruvian government along with the assistance
of many international NGO's, universities and private organizations
worked to establish a more sustainable program to effectively
protect and manage this World Heritage Site. Now, there
are strict regulations on its use and firm limits on the
number of visitors each season and that is one of the reasons
why we are inviting just a small number of guests to join
us on this remarkable sojourn.
While
Machu Picchu is at the heart of our adventure,
the bustling city of Cusco, The Sacred Valley, The Urabamba
River and Aguas Calientes are also pieces to the puzzle
that Jo Ann Taylor has carefully crafted into an amazing
7-Night/8-Day adventure that will leave you with a lifetime
of stories and pictures to share with your friends and family.
As
you look through these pages and read through the details,
picture yourself riding a train through the Urabamba River
Valley, watching the sun splash on Winya Wina and listening
to the gentle wind stream through the ancient buildings
of Machu Picchu. Imagine the aroma from expertly cooked
Peruvian cuisine, the taste of the fine wine and the comfort
of your luxury class resort accommodations as you take it
all in.
Then
call or e-mail Gene or Jo Ann and talk to either of us.
Let us answer your questions, share our past experiences
and tell you about what it is like to travel with us and
The Walking Connection.
Whether
you are a seasoned world traveler, a writer, a photographer,
an avid hiker or casual walker, you will find that regardless
of age, your fellow travelers will enjoy the same things
as you. If you are new to world travel or new to small group
escorted travel, then you will find that we specialize in
providing you with the planning and guidance you need to
get the most from your experience, yet knowledgeable enough
to know when you need time to explore on you own. We have
been doing this for 22 years in more than 30 countries around
the world!
So
if you have a bucket list, no doubt this item is on it.
It's time to lace up your shoes and Come Explore
With Us! If you don't have a formal list but just know there
are places you want to go, people you want to meet and different
cultures you want to experience, then this is REALLY the
trip you seek. The time is NOW!
If
Machu Picchu is your dream, then bring your dream to us.
We'll make it come true!
