The third edition of this popular guidebook contains everything the walker needs to plan and enjoy hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, with three routes taking from 2-7 days. It includes advice on how to prevent and manage altitude sickness; background on Inca culture and the ruins; and advice on planning in the light of new Trail regulations. This 2011 edition has been released for the centenery of Bingham's "discovery" of Machu Picchu. It contains everything you need to plan and enjoy hiking a choice of three Inca Trails to Machu Picchu in Peru. Step-by-step sections cover the Classic trail (4-5 days), the longer, more strenuous trek from Mollepata (6-7 days) and the Shortest option (2 days).
The book includes a drop-down map showing all three trails (three panels), plus a detailed site plan of Machu Picchu ruins (two panels); detailed description of Machu Picchu, with side-trips and photographs; background on Inca culture and stonework, Andean wildlife and modern Peru; advice on planning and preparation, including packing checklist and updated Trail regulations; medical advice on how to prevent and manage altitude symptoms; and a phrasebook in Spanish, Quechua and English. The book is in full colour, with over 80 photographs, printed on waterproof paper.

About the Author

Jacquetta Megarry is an enthusiastic walker turned publisher. She devised the Rucksack Reader format to suit the needs of hikers, and walked all three trails to research and take photographs for this book. Roy Davies has now retired from the University of Exeter. Roy first walked the Inca Trail in 1989, and his long-standing interest in the Trail is reflected in his comprehensive website.

Reviews

"This is a practical and helpful guide, based on good knowledge of the terrain" John Hemming "The overall layout is excellent. ... [includes] a delightful chapter on the wildlife that can be found in the Andes, together with a concise analysis of some of the principal conservation issues ... Many tourist books cover the Inca Trails to Machu Picchu, but with its overall thoroughness and excellent preparatory guidance, "Explore the Inca Trail" stands out from the rest and goes a long way towards enabling the traveller to truly live the trail." The British Bulletin of Publications on Latin America, the Caribbean, Portugal and Spain "The guidebook is an ideal companion: it's lightweight, concise and full of advice which is highly pertinent. Some of that advice ... is surprisingly detailed for such a slim volume. Importantly it doesn't exceed its own brief - this is a guidebook specific to the Inca Trail with no dead weight ... It's ideal for those, like many heading off on charity fund-raising treks, whose goal is to enjoy this classic hike to one of the greatest sights on the planet." tgo (The Great Outdoors) review October 2002 "This is no mere guide book: sure, it provides plenty of well written text and many superb illustrations (frightening mountain scenes, many Inca structures, and loads of wildlife - from condors and guanacos to marvellous tiny plants) to describe so much of that wonderful Andean wilderness. But it does a great deal more: here you find full details of every kilometre of each of those three routes, a wealth of health and safety information, even Spanish and local vocabulary." Online review at (Amazon.co.uk) "The style is ideal for a trail guide - concise, readable, informative and entertaining. The maps are clear, cleverly packaged and totally usable. A wonderful array of photographs completes the package." Online review (Amazon.co.uk)

Book Information
ISBN 9781898481461
Author Jacquetta Megarry
Page Count 64
Imprint Rucksack Readers
Publisher Rucksack Readers
Weight(grams) 186g
Dimensions(mm) 220mm * 145mm * 8mm