Catching up with our social media guru Leigh, after the Inca Trail

Leigh, our social media jedi (that's him in the middle), is still unpacking his bags and hanging up his hiking boots after taking on the Inca Trail on our Inca Highlands trip. We quizzed him on his favourites from South America.

The Inca Trail – tougher than you thought it would be?

It’s tough – there’s no getting away from the fact, but other than Dead Woman’s Pass on Day Two, it wasn’t shockingly hard. Dead Woman’s Pass is gruelling though – just a big, long slog uphill to the highest point on the trek, at around 4200 metres. We had definitely earned the rum we drank when we got to the top!

Any tips – gear, preparation etc

Layers are good. You’re hot during the day because of the effort you’re putting in, but things cool down at night, so layer up and have some thermals for evenings. Also , coca tea seemed to really help in keeping altitude sickness at bay.

Highlight of the trek

A lot to choose from – the ruins were all really impressive, obviously with Machu Picchu the star of the show. Our lunchtime soccer game against the porters on one of the trekking days was definitely a memorable moment though – 3800 metres up, puffing away in the high altitude, and we managed to win, with me scoring one of the all-time great backheel goals! Got to also mention the feel of the tour as well – the guides Elderand Isaac were amazing, and everyone on the tour got on really well. First time I’d been on a tour like this, so the atmosphere was a big unexpected bonus of the fortnight.

Machu Picchu – as good as you expected, or overhyped letdown?

Better than I expected. Standing looking out onto it from the Sun Gate was pretty incredible, and being there with two good mates, having all just conquered the Inca Trail – just a fantastic moment.

Pick a favourite: Lima, Cusco, La Paz

All nice, but Cusco gets my vote. It’s got a relaxed, fun feel to it, from the old streets to walk around to the markets, and the nightlife is great – definitely a good place to get acquainted with the local cocktail, pisco sours!

One of the great things about the Andean cities is the amount there is to do nearby – obviously there’s the Inca Trail near Cusco, but there are loads of other Incan ruins as well, including Sacsayhuaman (enticingly, but definitely misleadingly, pronounced ‘sexy woman’).  The day trip from La Paz to cycle the ‘world’s most dangerous road’ was incredible – one monster high-speed plummet from snow-capped peaks to the tropics. Exhilarating, but here’s a tip: don’t do what I did and wear only shorts and t-shirt. Turns out 4500-metres up among Andean snows is a cold place to cycle!

How was the food?

The food was a massive highlight, and one of the biggest surprises of the trip. Peru’s got some awesome dishes. Anyone going should eat well, with ceviche on the coast, pisco stir fries and tasty soups, while local meats like guinea pig and alpaca are also really good and worth giving a go.

Also worth mentioning the food on both the Inca Trail trek and at our Lake Titicaca homestay: soups... stir fries... pancakes – fantastic!

Buenos Aires – give us a top three to-do list

Number one has to be steak. You’ve just got to indulge when you’re in BA – they’re the best steaks you’ll find anywhere, so there’s no point in holding back. I must have eaten about 15 in the five days we were there!

I’d really recommend anyone visiting Buenos Aires to take a graffiti tour. Palermo has heaps of amazing graffiti, but even if you’re not that into street art, graffitimundo’s tours are great for learning about the history of the city and its people during Argentina’s troubled past, and how important graffiti was as a form of protest at the junta regime.

Lastly, catch a soccer game if you can. We went to see Boca Juniors take on Tigre and it was crazy! Crowd going loco for the entire game, 3-3 final score, us joining in with the chants and singing even though we had no idea of the words – got to go see Boca Juniors play if you’re in the city. 

Read Leigh's trip blog here, complete with lovely photo of him and his 'mama' at his Lake Titicaca homestay!

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