Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: The heart of the Inca Empire, Peru's sacred valley is a spectacular region in Peru's Indian Islands. And although countless tourists visit the region to see the beautiful city of Cusco and the spectacular Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, the sacred Valley has many more wonders to explore. 2 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Vibrant villages, breathtaking mountain passes, and mind blowing Inca ruins. This week on Epic Trails, we're exploring Peru's sacred valley. 3 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- I'm Eric Hanson. When I see a trail I see more than a path from point A to point B. A good trail is the ultimate opportunity to explore. To discover new landscapes, and to challenge myself. When I don't have a pack on my back I'm thinking about my next big adventure because my mission is simple. My mission is to discover the world's most epic trails. 4 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: A UNESCO world heritage site, Cusco is hands down one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities on the planet. And even though this isn't my first time here, I'm excited to spend the day exploring while getting a climatized at 11,000 feet. 5 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- The contrast between the indigenous styles and the modern western world are remarkable. Once the capital of the Inca empire, remains from the ancient Inca walls are everywhere made from huge granite blocks carved to fit perfectly with each other. In many cases these walls provide the foundation for the Spanish architecture which appeared following their invasion in the early 1500's. 6 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- It's cute. 7 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Except they kind of smell bad. 8 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Although I could spend days exploring Cusco at the ruins that overlook it, I'm here because its the gateway to the sacred valley. The heart of the Inca empire. And the home to a variety of ancient Inca ruins. Including the fabled Machu Picchu and so I head out to start my journey in Pisa, where I'll connect with a couple of guides from Mountain Lodges of Peru. 9 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Ola! 10 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Silver: Ola. 11 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Como Estas? 12 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Silver. 13 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Silver. 14 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Lyse: Hi I'm Lyse. 15 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Lyse? 16 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- yes. 17 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Nice to meet you. 18 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Are you ready for it? 19 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Ya I'm ready let's check it out. 20 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Let's go. 21 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Ya oh man I love Peru. 22 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- So these are Cuy little guinea pigs. 23 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Super cute, but it's also like one of the local delicacies to eat that. So if you're in the hub and they were just cooking a little Cuy up. All these cute little creatures right out of the oven kind of breaks your heart. 24 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- But they taste real good. 25 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Look at that guy, how could you eat that guy? So cute. 26 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- The plan for today is to head up into the mountains to a small village named Viacha which provides a stunning hike down to the ruins from above. 27 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Hey Silver how high up are we actually going? 28 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Silver: We're going up to 13,200 feet. 29 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Before setting out on our hike there's a culinary treat waiting for us in Viacha. 30 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Our hosts are preparing a pachamanca which means earth pie. An homage to the goddess Pacha Mama who we call Mother Earth the ancient Inca dish is cooked under ground with hot stones. Before the food is served though a ritual offering is made to Pacha Mama. 31 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Going hiking all the way down at the valley. That's a long way down. 32 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- With full bellies, we begin our hike and it feels great to be walking again. 33 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Now that we're moving, I'm really looking forward to seeing the Pisac Ruins, because next to Machu Picchu they're widely considered to be the other must see Inca ruins. 34 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- You can see how all the Inca take, or follow the ravine up the mountain shape. So that's why we have this buildings on top of the hill, we have to go down and up again and now what do we do now before we make it flat, make something flat and build on top. But for this in the past tense mountains were very important and they had to keep their original shape without destroying it. So they built according to the mountains. 35 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Well it was a pretty incredible day hiking here down to the Pisac and exploring Pisac just this place just blows my mind, I think it's only going to get better from here. I can't wait to see what else Peru has to offer. 36 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Narrator: Epic Trails is brought to you by. 37 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- FitBit Ionic, the smartwatch designed for fitness. 38 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Vasque, trust on the trail. 39 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Exofficio, made to adventure. 40 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Mountain Lodges of Peru. Embrace life, encounter adventure. 41 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Had an amazing night here at Mountain Lodges of Peru, beautiful place and now we're continuing our adventure I can't wait to see what else we have. 42 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Our plan today is to drive over the 14,500 foot Lares pass to the town of Lares itself. 43 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- It's an incredible drive, as the road winds and climbs it's way over the mountains and through the clouds themselves. 44 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- We stopped in the town of Lares here and it's market day so it's just an insane amount of colour, and products being sold here just a ton of energy. It's super cool to walk around and just see the locals doing their thing. It's really beautiful. 45 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Our hike starts just outside the town, and will take Silver, Lexi and I over the mountain and down to the Waki Wasi lodge. Which I'm told is a pretty amazing place to finish a hike. 46 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- This is spectacular up here. 47 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Although it's not a steep climb, the effects of the altitude are still very noticeable and so we keep a slow and steady pace. 48 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- So it's cold at the bottom now I'm just sweating like crazy up here. It's a little bit of sunshine breaking those clouds and I'm just can't handle it I got to take a layer off. 49 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- As we near the height of our climb at the pass I'm amazed to see some people farming in the distance, seemingly on the edge of the mountain. With so much open land below, I can't help but wonder why they would go to such effort to farm this high. 50 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Lixayda: In Peru we have like 3000 different varieties of potatoes, it's because of all these ecosystems we have all these different altitudes. Some potatoes do well in really high places, and to keep the variety of potatoes they have to keep using those high lands. 51 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: It's weird just flying the drone around and this farmer here was working in his field and we were flying the drone over him and never seen the thing before so he ran up and decided to come check us out and see what Lucasz was running with here. 52 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- With only a few hundred yards to go, we make our final push to the top. 53 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- This is gorgeous and so where are we actually going? Where's the lodge from here? 54 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- That way and then we go through the left down through all the way to the jungle. 55 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- The weather's changing so fast. 56 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- And these clouds are coming from jungle. 57 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- They're coming from the jungle? 58 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- All the way up here. 59 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- But it doesn't feel warm. 60 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Too high right? 61 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- we are pretty high. 62 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- 14,000 feet. 63 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- 14,000 feet? alright. 64 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- As we continue down the backside of the mountain, I have to remind myself to watch my footing. Because my eyes are constantly drawn to the incredible scenery that surrounds us. It's wild to know that the trail we're on isn't just an amazing hiking trail. It's one of many footpaths that for centuries provided the only means of communication between the local communities. 65 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Wow, perfecto. I love it. Mucho Gracias. 66 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Caio, gracias. 67 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- As the trail wraps around the hillside, Waki Wasi Lodge appears before us like an ambient oasis. Following Mountain Lodges of Peru's ongoing mission to promote social and environmental responsibility through it's activities and properties, Waki Wasi lodge is run in partnership with the local community. And so not only does it provide valuable employment in a remote region, but the community also shares in the vision and the profits. 68 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Epic Trails is brought to you by, Exofficio, made to adventure. 69 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Epic Trails is brought to you by, Vasque, trust on the trail. 70 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Today our adventure begins at the Ancasmarka ruins. As we make our way down the sacred valley towards Machu Picchu. Similar to most of the Inca ruins in the valley, Ancasmarka is built high up on the mountainside offering spectacular views of the Andes. But that's where the similarities seem to end, for one the ruins data back to pre Inca times which partly explains the round shape of the buildings. Even better, Ancasmarka is off the beaten tourist path and so today we've got the ruins all to 71 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- ourselves. 72 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- So all the structures are really curved here is that for any particular purpose? 73 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Silver: Ya first thing is the to geographic but also the most important thing is this is remains of pre Inca. So when the Inca's found it they just continued building and just keeping the shape. Why they chose you know to build up this warehouse in this area it has to be related with. The is like natural refrigerator. In the mornings they wind come on the side and in the afternoons with the valley the warm air rises up and always creates currents higher up so all the time it's you know ventilated that's why it's 74 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- so it's. 75 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- So this mountain top right here is specific for basically refrigeration purposes? 76 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Yes, actually warehouse is believe it or not where one of the main successful things that made the Inca's to expand their empire. 77 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- This is an amazing spot. 78 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- it is, it's fascinating when you look back it's fascinating. 79 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Well I could keep exploring Ancasmarka all day, looks like the sky overhead is getting a little angry so we're gonna take off before it just downpours on us. 80 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Ola, Buenos Aires. Gracias. 81 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- gracias. 82 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- With the rain having passed, we find ourselves in the small, remote village of Patacancha where a long history of weaving has made their textiles famous around the country. 83 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Using traditional methods that have been passed on over centuries the weavers of Patacancha make their own yarn and colour it naturally. Before weaving it into intricate and meaningful designs. 84 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- It's an amazing thing to watch these women apply their trade so skillfully, and I'm honoured that they're willing to share it with me. 85 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Ok so what am I actually holding here? 86 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Lixayda: We have the remember the insects that I mentioned dry insects, dead already. And this is powder of dead insect. 87 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- So you grind up the dried dead insects. 88 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- yes. 89 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- And then what? 90 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- And then put some water, and look at this colour. 91 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Oh whoa. 92 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- See. A l little dark but look at what happens if I add some lime juice. 93 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- See how the colour changes? 94 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Oh wow. 95 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Ya and the other minerals and other things that you can add and you get different colours. 96 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- That's amazing. 97 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Ya so everything comes from nature. 98 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Silver: So Lady Maria weaves dreams paths, memories best wishes for friends. It's not just about the colour and everything it's the history and everything that she has in mind she places in her weaving. 99 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Oh that was really cool experience, that was amazing what they do I got this awesome hat I l love it. 100 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Epic Trails is brought to you by, Latam. Together further. 101 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Epic Trails is brought to you by Backpacking TV. The premier backpacking channel on YouTube. 102 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Eric: Being a gateway city to Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo is often overlooked. But the city itself boats some incredible Inca ruins. And so we arrive early to give ourselves some time to explore before our train leaves for Machu Picchu. 103 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- It's amazing seeing the water just running through town like that it's cool. 104 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Andreas: From the channel. 105 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Ya. 106 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Incan canals. 107 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Looks like a lot of stairs. 108 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Today I'm joined by Andreas another Mountain lodges of Peru guide who has a real passion and incredible knowledge of Incan architecture. 109 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Incredible stonework. 110 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- The Incan people look for the highest point to connect with the sky. Sometimes with the moon, sometimes with the sun. The milky way and the stars. So always the most important point is the other side right the highest. 111 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- This is just an incredible place. 112 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- It's amazing I could spend the whole day here but we need to catch the train to Machu Picchu. 113 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- This is our train. 114 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Ola! Gracias. 115 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- The train ride is an hour and a half, and I'm dying to get to Machu Picchu. But within a few minutes of leaving town, I'm captivated by the scenery. The train follows the Urubamba river as it winds it's way down hill from 9100 feet to the town of Aquascalientes. It's a mesmerizing ride that takes us past even more ruins while winding through the towering mountains and into the cloud forest below. 116 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Gracias. 117 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Alright here we are. 118 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Here we are. 119 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Machu Picchu one of the new 7 wonders of the world. And it only takes a moment to understand why it holds that distinction. With so much to see, it's hard to know where to start. But this is Andreas's 36th time to the lost city of the Inca's and he has a plan in mind. We're going to the sun gate to get a birds eye view of the city. 120 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- And so for the sun gate right here this is the place that if you're a pilgrim this was designed that you come on the Inca trail and you pass through the sun gate here first glimpse of the Machu Picchu here. 121 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Exactly Eric. This is one of the entrances to Machu Picchu the Incan's come from this gate and leads you to the Citadel. 122 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- That's incredible. 123 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- So I've just come down through the sun gate which is that notch way up there. We're hiking through Machu Picchu which is as you can see incredibly spectacular. We've got a mission we're gonna try and make it to the top of Huayna Picchu to get a whole other perspective on Machu Picchu. I'm pretty excited about it. 124 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- This is vertical. 125 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- My toes barely fit on each step. 126 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- We're climbing Huayna Picchu and it's difficult. 127 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Trail goes like this. 128 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- It seems only fitting to finish our trip in Machu Picchu although I have to admit that with all the hype I was afraid I'd be underwhelmed by the experience. Those fears proved to be completely unjustified. But even though Machu Picchu is the crown jewel of Peru, what I'll remember most about this trip are all the beautiful moments I didn't expect like taking part in the Pacha mama ceremony in Viacha. 129 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Hiking down to the Pisac ruins from above. 130 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- Learning about the weavers of Patacancha. 131 --:--:--:-- --> --:--:--:-- And the spectacular hike to Waki Wasi lodge. The bottom line is that Mountain lodges of Peru has gone far beyond creating a luxurious lodge to lodge trip. They've crafted an authentic cultural experience that allows travellers to learn, explore and challenge themselves while at the same time enjoying incredible comfort and so I'm sad that our trip through the Sacred Valley has reached it's end because it's been much more than an Epic Trail, it's been an epic experience that I'll never forget.19087