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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Sixteen strangers and the quest for the holy Facebook photo.
"Read it, loved it!" -Richard Karn, star of TV's Home Improvement with Tim Allen. "Best wishes as you continue with your adventures." -Robert Redford Joel Paul Reisig, "our generation's Bill Bryson", takes you on a Peruvian adventure in the book that has been called "Seinfeld on the Inca Trail". This is the reality of what it is like to actually hike the pathways of the Incas exactly how they did six hundred years ago, assuming they had porters running ahead of them to set up their tents, cook their meals, clean their toilets, administer oxygen, remind them to put on sunscreen, and pose them for pictures. It is an account of sixteen first world tourists on a quest for social media photos. In between humorous anecdotes I will attempt to, quickly, slip in some history, local facts, and culture. Don’t worry, you’ll hardly feel it.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2020
114 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 23, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it. This was a biographical tale of a guy's trek to Machu Picchu with a group of random tourists. It's a light, quick read really worth $3.99 for the Amazon digital copy. The story was filled with humor and insight. It's not an epic journey but if you're considering going there this book is a must read. It gives you the straight dope on just how arduous hiking the Inca trail can be for those who haven't prepared for it. I know that I will never take this journey even though I had given it some thought 40 years ago when I was young but had no money to do such a thing.
The story includes facts about the Incas as presented by the tour guide of the group, and little anecdotes about the members of this particular group. It gives you an idea of how these tours are given and what amenities you can expect. There are moments in the story that are literally laugh out loud funny. The story is told in first person from the author's point of view. It was as if a wild and crazy friend was telling me about his trip to Machu Picchu with all of the good, the bad, and the wonder.
I must admit that I was expecting to see some photos at the end of the book but the only photo you get is on the front cover.
The story includes facts about the Incas as presented by the tour guide of the group, and little anecdotes about the members of this particular group. It gives you an idea of how these tours are given and what amenities you can expect. There are moments in the story that are literally laugh out loud funny. The story is told in first person from the author's point of view. It was as if a wild and crazy friend was telling me about his trip to Machu Picchu with all of the good, the bad, and the wonder.
I must admit that I was expecting to see some photos at the end of the book but the only photo you get is on the front cover.
January 10, 2025
Reigniting my desire to hike to Machu Picchu.
August 12, 2023
Put 16 people from different countries along with 2 guides and some porters and what do you get? A long trek through the mountains of Peru on the way to Machu Picchu. Sometimes funny, sometimes showing human nature in different ways. The altitude is a killer. Can't imagine going to 11,000 feet and struggling to put one foot in front of the other. No one wants to give up no matter their condition. Was the pain and difficulties worth it? You will have to read it to find out. Machu Pichu has always been a dream. The mastery and the building, and farming skills of a people long gone.
November 29, 2020
I enjoyed this book so much it definitely gets five stars. This trek to Machu Pichu is so vivid, and touched with humor as well as reality. I felt the pain and exhaustion, was awed by the grandeur, and was convicted of the superficial attitudes of North Americans toward grand experiences. I laughed out loud at times, loved Joel's determination, and especially admired Rosel, the Quechua guide. This short (144 pages) travelogue is like no other...read it!
December 11, 2021
A very interesting read
I really enjoyed this book. It was an exciting page turner. I didn't know if a book about a hike to Machu Picchu would be interesting or not. This author really did a good job of telling such an unique story. Whether you are thinking of a trip to Machu Picchu or just interested in a great story about such a trip, I would highly recommend this book. I'll definitely search to see if there are additional titles by him.
I really enjoyed this book. It was an exciting page turner. I didn't know if a book about a hike to Machu Picchu would be interesting or not. This author really did a good job of telling such an unique story. Whether you are thinking of a trip to Machu Picchu or just interested in a great story about such a trip, I would highly recommend this book. I'll definitely search to see if there are additional titles by him.
September 3, 2020
My son, Michael, Sara, his wife, and son Nicholas, have made two trips to Peru and have been to Machu Picchu, someplace I have always wanted to go, since reading about it as a teenager. Joel Reisig's account of hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is at times really funny and at times really scary, but it is loaded with lots of information about the Inca's and their amazing civilization!
September 7, 2020
Not needing to kill my own knees it was rewarding to read &
laugh at the author murdering his own while learning a bit of
one of the 7 wonders of the world.. Loved the memoir and would
def. pick up anymore of his travel diarys...carry on Joel , and save
my body from straining itself.
laugh at the author murdering his own while learning a bit of
one of the 7 wonders of the world.. Loved the memoir and would
def. pick up anymore of his travel diarys...carry on Joel , and save
my body from straining itself.
September 24, 2020
Absolutely loved this book!!!
The first few pages (or first chapter) I started to put it down. I thought this is moronic. Once he decides he’s going to do this trip it gets interesting. It is amusing and funny. There are times I laughed out loud it was so real and so human. I will now move on to another one if his books.
The first few pages (or first chapter) I started to put it down. I thought this is moronic. Once he decides he’s going to do this trip it gets interesting. It is amusing and funny. There are times I laughed out loud it was so real and so human. I will now move on to another one if his books.
March 3, 2022
The reason I read this book was to take an adventure. At first, the book seemed like it was disappointing, and then the author took the guide aside and told him this was not a race to the top, but a trek to absorb Peruvian experience. I agreed like I was standing beside the author. In the end, it was an adventure without the smells and tastes. I loved it!
August 27, 2020
Comedic travel journal
Very funny, traveling with a group of strangers is a challenge alone not to mention doing it on a physically difficult five day hike. The author shows the unique coping methods of a group of individuals
Very funny, traveling with a group of strangers is a challenge alone not to mention doing it on a physically difficult five day hike. The author shows the unique coping methods of a group of individuals
October 5, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this author's account of his walking trek of about a week on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This was free on Amazon. He made you feel like you were actually there walking and it was fun reading about this experience.
February 3, 2023
This was a fun story to read
The first person narrative was perfect for this story. The characters were developed well and I learned some things about the country and the experience.
The first person narrative was perfect for this story. The characters were developed well and I learned some things about the country and the experience.
August 26, 2020
I liked some parts but really was not happy with vulgarity-obviously for a different audience than me
January 31, 2021
Good travel story
Interesting travel account With humor and good cheer. I don't think my 64 year old knees are up to this trip.
Interesting travel account With humor and good cheer. I don't think my 64 year old knees are up to this trip.
April 10, 2022
Fun read
I could have used a little more history. And some more descriptions of what he was seeing along the way. But it was a VERY enjoyable read!
I could have used a little more history. And some more descriptions of what he was seeing along the way. But it was a VERY enjoyable read!
October 13, 2022
I was hoping for a truthful story about what it was like to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Unfortunately, what I got instead was a often made-up story starring characters who weren't even on the hike (or were amalgamations of many different people) all in the service of a defense and adulation of toxic masculinity.
June 1, 2020
Very fun book, quick read. Loved all the humorous anecdotes. I felt like I was on the trip too! We were supposed to trek into Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail this summer, but that trip has been postponed due to the Covid 19 situation. So I have to live vicariously through books like this. Just makes me look forward to our eventual trip even more!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews