Channeling Discovery

Preparing for Glamping on the Inca Trail

Monday, April 22, 2013 by Troy Glennon

Austin-Lehman Adventures is excited to present our special Inca Trail “Glamping” (glamorous camping) departure Sept 7-16, a sneak preview for our 2014 trip. Enjoy upgraded spacious camp accommodations, chef prepared food, wine, cocktails and even a portable hot shower -hey, this is glamping after all!! We are going all out for this high end, trekking experience on the classic Inca Trail and want our guests to be prepared. For all Inca Trail Treks (glamping or otherwise), we recommend special attention should be paid to pre-trip fitness, altitude adjustment and essential trek gear.

Fitness:

First off, you do not need to be a tri-athlete to trek the Inca Trail. But, yes, you need to be fit enough to enjoy four days of moderate to strenuous walking above 10,000 ft. Let’s be honest, the better aerobic shape you are in to begin with, the better your body is able to process more oxygen as you trek at high altitude, which will keep you from feeling exhausted. Our trek guides make sure to set a nice comfortable group pace that keeps us moving, but that also emphasizes the enjoyment of the experience. Along the trek we make sure there is plenty of time for photography, exploring and learning about the increasingly impressive ruins that lead to the “best preserved” Inca site in South America, Machu Picchu. So we suggest you get out and do some walking, biking, swimming, or whatever you enjoy to get your heart rate up for at least an hour a day, three times a week. If you already exercise, great! If you need the Inca Trail Trek as your motivation, here it is!

Altitude Adjustment:

Most travelers have never been above 10,000 ft., so we all feel the effects of being at an high altitude upon arrival (mild headache, loss of appetite) and are encouraged to limit exertion and maintain well hydrated. While Lima is at sea level, and there won’t be a problem acclimatizing to its altitude, Cuzco is over 11,000 ft. above sea level. Travelers to the Cuzco and other Andean regions over 10,000 ft. need to take common sense measures in regards to altitude acclimatization. Most travelers feel better after 8-12 hrs at altitude, but everybody acclimatize differently, so taking the time to adjust the altitude upon your arrival to Cusco is the first and most essential step. At altitude (above 10,000 ft.), we recommend hydrating primarily with electrolyte beverages (Gatorade, Powerade, etc…you may purchase bottles in local shops, but we recommend bringing powdered packets from home). Local remedies like Coca tea in moderation is often noted as an aid in the acclimatization process and is widely available, often at hotels and in cafes. Individuals with heart or other health problems should consult their physician before deciding to travel to Cuzco and engage in a high altitude trek. Ask your doctor about high altitude medicine like Diamox, if you’re concerned. Don't worry if you feel winded and a bit tired upon arrival to Cusco, most every traveler does, so go slow and let your body get used to its new environment.

You will start the Inca trail trek in the Sacred Valley at Km 82, just beyond Ollantaytambo, which drops in altitude of over 1,000 ft (as compared to Cusco), and slowly climb back to elevations above 10,000 ft over the duration of the trek before dropping down to Machu Picchu (8,000 ft approximately). The vast majority of travelers do not require the use of prescription altitude drugs on the Inca Trail, having allowed their bodies to acclimatize naturally via the slow ascent. The highest altitude you will reach on the trail will be a pass at (13,780 ft / 4200 m) and you will sleep at approximately (11,811 ft / 3600 m) for one or two nights.

Gear for the Trek

Aside from your camera, etc., the essentials for the trek should be lightweight, waterproof outerwear and clothing that can be easily layered for chilly mornings/evenings, and taken off when it warms up. Broken in, waterproof footwear will be your main contact point with the trail. Make sure they are comfortable; blisters on your trek are a distraction you can avoid by breaking in your shoes before you go. Trekking poles are a great trek aid for ascending trails, but I find them more important when descending (seriously, your knees will thank you after a couple of steep descents). Finally, find yourself a comfortable, small daypack to carry with your daily essentials (snacks, water, wet weather gear) – do a quick pre-trip gear estimate to make sure your day pack is neither too big or too small for what you intend to carry. Also invest in a waterproof cover for your day pack, they take up almost no space and add extra protection to your gear in the event of rain.

Our Inca Trail Glamping trip will be a one-of-a-kind luxury trek adventure – so come prepared, in order to enjoy all that this amazing world class trek to Machu Picchu has to offer.

Learning about the Galapagos

Friday, January 4, 2013 by Troy Glennon

The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of sub tropic, volcanic islands that straddle the Equator 600 miles west of Ecuador. They are made up of primarily 13 main islands and 13 smaller islands, with volcanic activity still present to this day. The Galapagos are accessed by the vast majority of travelers from the mainland via flights from Quito or Guayaquil (most flights to/from Quito also make a quick stop in Guayaquil). These flights arrive in the Galapagos at either Baltra Island (just north of Santa Cruz), or San Cristobal Island to the east. These 2 islands, in addition to Isabela Island are the 3 major population centers in the Galapagos (with Floreana having a handful of inhabitants). Not only was the Galapagos archipelago set aside as a National Park in 1957, it is has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and whale sanctuary. Much of the attraction of the Galapagos National Park comes from the uniqueness of its flora and fauna with species of plants and animals only found in the archipelago or on specific islands. Couple that, with the animals on the islands having no known predators so that when you approach, say a Bluefooted Booby, it does not fly away from you. That kind of interaction with the animals in the Galapagos can be found on all the visited islands. If you are lucky, you may even find animals that seek you out, like juvenile sea lions. One of my favorite experiences in the Galapagos is snorkeling. While snorkeling around the beaches and reefs, you will see an amazing variety of underwater life like corals, fish, turtles and often times playful juvenile sea lions that swim up to you with their puppy dog eyes and then at the last minute dart away. I have played this dart and swim game with them until I was exhausted (they never are), but the recognition by each of us that we are playing and pose no threat to each other, to me is a special opportunity to connect with another species.

Note - The Galapagos Islands are a special place that requires special treatment to preserve this fragile ecosystem and living scientific laboratory. Visitors will go through a number of checks and inspections to make sure they do not bring by accident or design any invasive species (plants or animals) that can threaten the balance of life here. So when you go, be patient, listen to the instructions of your guide while touring islands and be respectful of this special place found nowhere else on earth.

Highlight on Chiapas

Thursday, November 29, 2012 by Troy Glennon

The state of Chiapas is on Mexico's southern border with Guatemala. In general the climate is tropical, hot and humid, with most travelers entering via the capital city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Not far from Tuxtla, the Sumidero Canyon plunges 3000 ft into the Grijalva River, but before you plunge in yourself, be warned that big river crocodiles will be sharing the murky water with you. Better to take one of the boats that ply the river to get an up close experience of the canyon.

Chiapas has much to offer the adventure traveler seeking the past and present.

The mysteries of the Mayan culture can be explored in the lush jungle with Palenque (a UNESCO World Heritage site) being the most well known in Chiapas. Here you can see an impressive ceremonial compound from the Classic Mayan Period, as well as the “Palace”, which is an excellent example of Mayan architecture, made up of several structures, underground rooms, and courtyards decorated with human figures, religious and chronological scenes. Arrive early if you can to beat the heat, and explore a bit on your own before the tour crowds start arriving.

Chiapas is one of the most bio diverse regions in Mexico and is also famous for excellent coffee. A short flight from Tuxla bring us to Tapachula to enter coffee country where La Finca Argovia is one of the regions most important coffee producers. Argovia also has a wonderful working farm/resort where you can explore the lush grounds, go for a “safe” swim, practice yoga or just enjoy the chef-prepared local cuisine. Being a coffee addict myself, I really enjoyed the opportunity to see firsthand the many stages that coffee goes through from red “fruit” to black coffee. Austin-Lehman’s wellness retreat to Argovia Finca allows you to do all of this, and more! It’s a great trip for those who want to relax in a safe and comfortable jungle environment, while learning about the connection of food with local culture in the Chiapas region.