Peru’s world famous Inca Trail annually draws thousands of curious hikers looking to retrace the steps of ancient civilizations. I was one of them. Huffing and puffing, I sweat my way to the top of the famous ruins of Machu Picchu.

The journey along the Inca Trail was awesome but it ain’t easy. It was a four-day, 25-odd km hike that wound along a schizophrenic terrain: sheer cliffs, misty cloud forests, lush jungles and nose-bleed-causing mountain peaks. The scenery was stunning, the ruins historic but the actual hike… well… it was a real workout.

Hiking the Inca Trail

Armed with a bamboo walking stick, I slowly climbed steep mountain faces that can reach altitudes of up to 4200m. Glutes burning, I took frequent breaks, stopping to join clusters of out-of-breath backpackers collapsed along the trail’s sidelines. Beaten by Mother Earth’s natural StairMaster, the only relief was guzzling water and scarfing down Snickers bars for a quick energy boost.

Roger Salas, a certified guide who has hiked the trail over a hundred times, explained that hike difficulty depends on a number of factors: your prior hiking experience, the amount of weight carried on your back and your overall ability to acclimatize to the altitude.

“You never know how your body is going to react in this kind of altitude,” Roger warned. “Some people get sick, so it’s best to take it slow, spend a few days before the hike getting use to the altitude, so your body can adjust.”

For hiking inspiration, I looked to the porters. Part mules, part super-humans, these amazing and painfully underpaid Peruvian porters are hired to carry all camping equipment, prepare the tents and cook. Hunched-over, a junk pile of camping goods tied to their backs, porters scurry along the trail with incredible speed. Despite worn-out rubber sandals and huge weight strapped to their bodies, porters can take down even the most athletic of trekkers.

Once at camp, after a long day of hiking, the weary trekker will be rewarded with a plentiful spread of tasty treats and loose-leaf cocoa tea, a drink that helps with acclimatization. It’s a long hardy four days, but, reaching majestic Machu Picchu at daybreak (as mist creeps over the ancient ruins and there’s not a fanny-pack-wearing-tourist in sight) is certainly worth the hike!

Refreshments along the trail

For those planning a trip to Machu Picchu, here are a few things you’ll need:

- Quick-dry t-shirts, hiking boots, extra shoes, lots of socks, a flashlight and a fleece for those cold early mornings.

- Charged camera batteries. Don’t forget that there is no electricity along the trail

- Money. Even in the wilderness, consumerism finds a way. Bring cash for the necessities: Tips (my guide suggested that we pay $20 per porter, $30 for the head chef and $35 for the guide), an extra porter to carry your personal belongings for the day ($15) and a well-deserved cold Cuscena beer ($2).

- Passport. You must present your passport at entry and exit checkpoints along the trail. Use a Ziplock bag to protect valuable documents from moisture.

- Toilet paper. The outhouses are notoriously nasty.

- Water: Bring your own one liter bottle of water for the first full day of the trek. For the subsequent days, water will be boiled and the bottles refilled by the porters.

- Walking stick. This thin bamboo shoot (sold for $1 at the trail base) helps take the pressure off your knees as you descend thousands of steep steps.

A Few More Tips:

Since independent camping along the Inca Trail isn’t allowed, travelers must book a tour with a certified agency. There are many local tour operators located in the quaint city of Cuzco. An all-inclusive four-day group treks generally includes: transportation to and from Cuzco, trail fees, camping equipment (tent and sleeping mat), porter services, food and a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Be sure to choose a responsible tour operator. Incatrailperu.com warns that, “if you pay under US$350 for a 4 day group Inca Trail trek it is very unlikely that porter welfare is high on the company’s concerns. When you book with a company let them know that the treatment the porters receive is important to you.”

Sleeping bags, backpacks, ponchos and other camping gear can be rented for only a few dollars a day near the Plaza De Armas in Cuzco.

Book your trip early! The best but busiest time to hike the Inca Trail is during high season (April-October), when the weather is dry. The trail is closed the month of February for renovations. If the Inca Trail is fully booked or if you crave off-the-beaten-track exploration, there are alternative trails in the area that can be hiked independently. For more information, check out http://www.incatrailperu.com/

Do you have any hiking tips you’d like to share? Any peaks you’re dying to climb? Please leave your comments below…

I’ve been around the world four times, to over 80 countries, across six continents. Here are some of the video highlights: learning how to fight like a gladiator in Rome, overlooking the inspiring vista of Chile’s Atacama desert, spending a night of ‘torture’ in a Latvian prison, sucking back the Sour Toe Cocktail in Yukon and, of course, eating Moriche worm in the jungles of Venezuela. Check out my compilation video of my adventures around the world, and enjoy!

What are some of your own travel highlights? Leave me a comment below!

His name is El Whappo.  He’s 70 years-old, 13 feet long and he’s one of the biggest alligators ever seen in Louisiana’s West Pearl River.

Our tour group found the monster reptile lounging along the sandy river bank, soaking up the afternoon sun.  As our motor boat approached for a better look, the alligator turned its snout, slid from the shore and floated towards us.

This was Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tour, a two-hour guided boat ride through Louisiana’s wetlands.  Open since 1984, the tour focuses on the natural environment and its indigenous wildlife: from tiny turtles to moss-covered cypress trees, slimy green duck weed (a staple in many swamp dwellers’ diets), to blue herons the size of pterodactyls.

Alligators are some of the most interesting animals to spot.  Sure they’re less aggressive than crocodiles but alligators do have some of the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom.  We learn that gators don’t chew their prey, they just swallow them whole.  If the prey is too big, the alligator will tear off chunks of flesh and save it for later.

“Alligator attacks are rare but they do sometimes occur, so keep hands, feet and cameras inside of the boat at all times,” our guide reminded us, launching a white marshmallow into the water just inches from the boat. Bobbing like a wine cork, the marshmallow was doomed.  El Whappo swam towards it, opened up his jaws and wrapped a set of razor sharp teeth around the sugary treat.

Submerged, with only their eye-balls skimming the water’s surface, it’s often hard to tell how big some alligators actually are.  Our guide shared a quick tip.  A gator’s size can be determined by the length of their snouts. Every inch of snout corresponds to every foot in body length.

Several marshmallows later, we left El Whappo and cruised down river, through root beer-colored waters to a maze of narrow waterways and cypress swamps.

Louisiana’s wetlands… home to a mythical monster?

Though the eye of Hurricane Katrina did pass over the area, there was very little damage to the 80,000 acres of swamp land.  The dense foliage, swollen buttresses roots and gnarled trees are still in-tact but many oak trees didn’t survive the storm.

As we puttered through the swamps, the thick Caladenia (four leaf clover look-alikes) and cypress knees (tree stump roots sticking out of the water) threatened to clog our outboard motor.  Not sure if it was the flora, the threat of poisonous snakes or the alligator infested waters but there was definitely something spooky about Louisiana’s swamp lands.  Something mysterious and unknown lurking in the shadows…

As legend goes, there have been eye-witness reports of a seven-foot-tall Bigfoot type creature that lives in the area. They call it the Honey Island swamp monster, The Thing or just Wookie.  It’s been described as: “half mammal, half reptile, all man-eater.”  Of course, no one can prove it actually exists but there are still some locals who dare not enter the swamps alone.

Outside of the swamps, along the river’s edge, there were fishing camps and high-end homes where locals go to unwind on weekends.  While some were immaculate with manicured lawns and screened-in swimming pools, others were dilapidated shacks, straight out of a horror flick.

Though our tour group didn’t spot the swamp monster, we did learn a few things: Louisiana’s wetlands are vulnerable, oak trees don’t survive hurricanes and alligators really like marshmallows.

Julia’s Tips:

Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island two-hour swamp tour costs $23 per person, with reservations required. The launch point is a 45-minute drive from New Orleans (just 8km from the Mississippi state line). During the week, there is less boat traffic on the river, so weekday tours are often best for spotting wildlife.

Visit www.honeyislandswamp.com for more info.

Have you ever had any encounters with monster reptiles or mysterious swamp-things?  Leave a comment below!

The terrible story of the kiteboarder, Stephen Schafer, who was tragically killed by a shark on Wednesday off the north coast of Florida, does nothing in the way of calming my fish fears.  It makes me never want to get in the water again.

I swear, I hear the Jaws “da na da na da na” theme song in all bodies of water, from oceans to bath tubs. That’s why it was particularly out of character for me to sign up for a great white shark cage-diving adventure off the coast of South Africa… and so can you.

This day activity (also offered in parts of California) allows swimmers to snorkel with sharks from the safety of a metal cage.  A boat trip takes you out to the middle of the ocean, dragging a trail of chum (a delicious stew of fish guts and blood) behind it.  The great whites catch the scent and are lured towards the curious swimmers bobbing inside a protective contraption.

Crazy? Yes, but if you’re looking for a deeper understanding of these deep-sea creatures, it’s an awe-inspiring way to spend an afternoon.

This would have been my ultimate of challenges had I not been violently seasick, choosing to vomit over the side of the boat repeatedly, rather than dip into the water with these mysterious and misunderstood creatures.  Psychosomatic? perhaps.

The practice of cage diving is a controversial one. Some say spreading chum creates a dangerous Pavlovian association between humans and food. Some companies even go so far as to touch the sharks (a huge no-no in the conservation scene), prompting them to open their toothy jaws for snap-happy tourists.

The company I went with did little to dispel the myths surrounding these predators.  They played-up the “manhunter” and “world’s most fearsome creature” stereotypes rather than focusing on the facts about this now endangered species.

Watch the indie-documentary Sharkwater and you’ll see that, typically, sharks have more to fear from us, than we do from them.

Attacks, like the one that took the life of renown water-sports enthusiast Schafer, are said to be uncommon.

With that in mind, if cage diving with great whites is still something you’d like to experience, check out one of the many companies that offer underwater tours (don’t forget to bring motion sickness pills):

http://www.greatwhiteadventures.com

http://www.white-shark-diving.com/

http://www.incredible-adventures.com/shark_encounter.html

http://www.sharkdiver.com

Be sure to ask about the operator’s wildlife policies, their commitment to shark education and don’t watch Jaws before you go.

Would you dare to go diving with great whites?  Leave me a comment below!

Martha of Martha’s Heli-Hikes

The best part about starting a new year is the chance to wipe the slate clean and achieve a fitter, slimmer, richer, smarter you.  If fitness, natural beauty and all-round relaxation are on your resolution “to-do list” for 2010, consider a trip to Canadian Rockies’ snow-capped mountains.  While they boast some of the world’s best skiing and wildlife viewing, this region is also home to an unusual tourist activity called heli-yoga, a practice that combines the meditative properties of yoga with a traditional helicopter sightseeing tour.

Just a short drive outside Banff National Park near Alberta’s Lake Louise, Icefield Helicopter Tours takes the conventional aerial experience one step further.  This helicopter tourism provider has partnered with Martha’s Heli-Hikes, an outdoor adventure outfitter, and together, they are offering a variety of high altitude activities, from hiking to snow shoeing, ice walking to yoga.

Tourists keen on connecting with nature may find themselves high on the mountain top, resting in “child’s pose,” overlooking some of our country’s most stunning scenery.  There’s nothing quite like “tree pose” at 9,000 feet.  There I was, balancing in this classic yoga position while taking in a panorama view of the Canadian Rockies’ snow-capped mountains.  One thing’s for sure, this certainly isn’t your average yoga studio.

A day excursion begins at the heliport with a brief safety lesson, a gear check and the distribution of tasty gourmet packed lunches.  After piling into the chopper and slipping on a set of noise-canceling headphones (complete with fighter jet style microphones), the pilot is ready for take-off.  The blades rotate faster.  The whomp-whomp sound crescendos.  The plane lifts off and hovers above the ground like a giant metal dragonfly. Even for the most jaded of flyers, there’s something truly exciting about cruising around in a helicopter!

We soared above The Rockies mountain range, keeping our eyes open for wolves, elk, grizzly bears and other wildlife found in the area.

Depending on the flight conditions, the helicopter can land in a variety of geographic landscapes, from the waterfalls of the raging Cline River to the ridge of Wedding Knoll, a grassy clearing and matrimonial hot spot.

The chopper found a safe pad to land and Martha, my guide and resident yoga-expert, hopped out, mindful of the deadly blades swooping overhead.  I followed her and braced myself as whirls of wind whipped up sand and dust.

I got into yoga gear and prepared for my Hatha yoga lesson.  Depending on the season, weather can change quickly and without warning, so it’s best layer your wardrobe and prepare for sudden variances in temperature.

As my yoga mat flopped and folded with every gust, I slithered into Cobra position. Breathing deeply, relaxing and stretching at the top of a remote mountain somehow made me feel more connected with nature, with myself and the world around me.

While I enjoyed the experience, I can understand why helicopter tourism is such a controversial topic in the area.  Critics claim that helicopter tours aren’t sustainable; that the noise and air pollution from the aircrafts can cause environmental damage and disturb the wildlife.  Martha herself admits the environmental irony of using a gas-guzzling machine to enjoy the pristine wilderness, but she maintains that “practicing yoga in nature bring us closer to the earth.  Fuel and yoga might seem at odds with each other but the benefits of coming out here, into remote parts of the Rockies, far outweigh the negative effects.”

After a series of poses and meditative moments, the lesson ended with a calm concluding “oooom,” a whispered “Namaste,” and a scenic helicopter ride back to the base.

Icefield Helicopter Tours offers day Heli- yoga trips in Alberta’s Rockies at $469 per person.  For more information visit www.icefieldheli.com

Can’t make it to Canada? Here are some other ideas for the World’s Best Places to Yoga.

1) Rishikesh, India – Dubbed the “Yoga Capital of the World,” this spiritual budget getaway is one of the most spectacular places to downward dog.  Located on the banks of the Ganges River it’s now famous for its ashrams, New Age meditation classes and delicious vegetarian cuisine.
2) 7 Centers Yoga Arts in Sedona Arizona offers week-long yoga retreats, day workshops and teaching seminars for those who want to take their Chakra training to the next step. http://www.7centers.com/
3) Create your very own Zen Den at home.  A little Ayurvedic Tea, soft music and flickering candles can go a long way and will cost you a fraction of the price…

Where are your favorite places to Yoga? Email me at julia@traveljunkiejulia.com

The Philippines

All the big boys do it. Conde Nast, Lonely Planet, Frommers.  It’s an annual travel industry tradition (much like the Academy Awards minus the emaciated actresses) to select hot destinations for the new year.

When considering such a big endeavor, one must look at several factors: pop culture events on the calendar, value for your dollar, under-appreciated cities, up-and-comers and general awesomeness.

Between research, real-life experience and peering into my travel crystal ball, I offer up my personal picks for the Top 10 hottest travel destinations in 2010.

British Columbia, Canada:

Brace your bobsled, the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, Canada from February 12-28.  With over 97 nations qualifying for such sports as alpine skiing, curling, figure skating, luge and ski jumping, the world’s eyeballs (and tourists in turn) will look to British Columbia. Beyond the Okanagan wine tours and great surfing, it’s a province famous for its ski resorts, rugged coast line, temperate rainforests and – as it is affectionately called by local pot heads – “BC bud.”  Grab a Canadian flag and get “Out and About.”

Quick Tip:  For a cheaper way to get to Vancouver, fly to Seattle, rent a car, then drive a few hours over the Canadian border.

Philippines:

If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, Philippines is an affordable option for an exotic retreat.  With over 7,000 islands in the archipelago, Philippines offers world-class diving, snorkeling, whitewater rafting and some of the world’s most pristine wilderness.  Check out Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a 5 mile river on the west coast of Palawan Island.  This Unesco World Heritage site, boasts the world’s longest underground navigable river with a pretty impressive cave system.  If you crave city life, Manila is an eclectic mix of indigenous cultures, Spanish and American influence, with cool architecture, cheap markets and tons of English-speakers.

KAYAK visitor guides are a great place to start planning— to get started, check out: http://www.kayak.com/Things-to-Do-Manila.29645.cg.html

Slovenia:

Europe and I don’t usually get along.  Expensive, predictable and over-run with tourists, central Europe is a part of the world my wandering spirit and wallet like to avoid.  But Slovenia is another story.  A hidden gem, this tiny country is affordable, stunning and off the tourist track.  Bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria, the Republic of Slovenia gained independence from the former region of Yugoslavia in 1991.  A population of over 2 million, most of them Roman Catholic, Slovenia has its own language, is part of the EU and has a strong tourist infrastructure where English is widely spoken. Start in the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana before heading to the foothills of the Julian Alps for a long list of outdoor activities.

Quick Tip:  The capital city of Ljubljana has some really cool accommodations.  Hostel Celica, which Lonely Planet calls the “world’s hippest hostel” is part of a military barracks used by the Austro-Hungarian army.  A former prison, each “cell” was renovated into a room and re-decorated by a different artist.  Modern and sparkling clean, this budget accommodation has twenty renovated slammer cells for guests to stay in.

Nevada:

High on my list of travel priorities for 2010 is a trip to Burning Man in Black Rock Nevada August 30 – September 6.  Imagine some 50,000 citizens living in the desert, cars and bodies decked out in psychedelic art, staying in theme camps with a strict ‘no vending’ all partying policy. Sounds like trouble. Check it out: www.burningman.com

Nicaragua:

Dubbed the ‘new’ Costa Rica by backpackers, the Central American country of Nicaragua has a lot to offer the budget traveler.  From volcano boarding to architecture hopping, to surfing along the Caribbean coast for cheap, a trip here is an affordable option away from the throngs of tourists.

Quick Tip:  Searching for flights on Kayak.com, I found an American Airlines return flight from New York to Managua for only $378.  That’s a great deal!

Thailand:

Rich in culture, Buddhist temples and happening nightlife, Thailand continues to be a great value destination for 2010 and a good times party spot likely for years to come.  These days, Thailand draws a younger backpacker crowd, but you can’t beat the cheap accommodations (with ocean front beach huts charging as low as $10 USD a night), almost free street food, dollar beers and $8 Thai massages.  Check out Songkran, a weekend-long city-wide water fight from April 13-15.

Chile:

While Chile’s BFF Argentina got most of the glory from other travel publications this year, my top pick for 2010 is most certainly Chile.    This narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is very diverse.  In one day, you can go from skiing in the mountains, to sweating it out in the world’s driest desert, touring graffiti murals in quaint cultural towns along the Pacific, to hiking around Alpine fjords.  But most importantly, you can get delicious bottles red wine (my fave is the Carmenere, a full-bodied grape) for a $5 price tag.

Florida:

For 2010, it’s not exactly the most exotic location but for the millions of Harry Potter fans, Orlando, Florida will be a big draw for tourists, families and muggles alike.  It’s all a little hush-hush now but word on the street is that, this spring, Universal Orlando is opening the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” a Harry Potter theme park!  Part of the Islands of Adventure, this 20-acre Potter paradise will have a Hogwarts Castle and interactive scenes from the books and movies.  For more, visit http://www.universalorlandoresort.com/harrypotter

Abu Dhabi:

While Dubai just launched the World’s Tallest Tower (a “superscraper” that stands 2,716 feet, is double the Empire State Building and took more than $1 billion to build) it’s actually neighboring Abu Dhabi that’s hot for 2010.  The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a cosmopolitan metropolis with grand mosques, helicopter tours, night cruises and imposing skylines.   Check out their weekly camel races, the Abu Dhabi International Triathalon on March 13 or the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair from March 2-7.  For a unique cultural experience, and an amazing feast after sundown, visit the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan from August 11 to September 10.

South Africa:

This summer, the FIFA World Cup football championship will dominate the hearts and minds of all sports enthusiasts.  While some may huddle around the TV set to watch Bekham run around the field, others will be tempted to jet set to South Africa to watch this historic event in person.  It’s the first time the tournament has been hosted by an African nation.  Venture beyond the ball, to check out Table Mountain in Cape Town, a wine tour in Stellenbosch, Durban’s Golden Mile beach and the Big Five wildlife in Kruger National Park.

What are your top travel destinations for 2010?  Share your hot spots with a comment below!

Attention thrill-seekers! Find yourself bored by lazy beach life at all-inclusive resorts? Do you dream of pushing the limits, testing your nerves and your bladder control? For the brave and ballsy, here are five adrenaline-pumping activities that will rock your next vacation:

1) Race Car Driving School in Arizona:

Those with a need for speed will love the Bob Bondurant High Performance Driving School, where students learn to drive like the pros. Located in Arizona, this 60-acre racing facility offers four hour to four day courses specializing in racing techniques, car control and accident avoidance on an open track. Under the supervision of top instructors, you can take a Corvette Z51 Coupe for a spin around the block for some Grand Prix goodness. http://www.bondurant.com/

2) Macau Sky Jump in Hong Kong:

Imagine yourself standing on the edge of the Macau Tower, preparing to plummet 233 meters toward the Earth. For Superman wanabees, the Macau Tower offers the world’s highest SkyJump where you “fly through air at 46 mph in 20 seconds before decelerating to a comfortable landing speed.”  According to the Guinness World Records, it’s the world’s highest commercial decelerator descent. Slip into a silky blue jumpsuit and prepare to leap, face first, over the edge.http://www.ajhackett.com/macau/skyjump.html

3) Zorb It Up in New Zealand:

Rotorua may smell like rotten eggs but the adventure-capital of New Zealand’s North Island is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Thrill seekers can bungee jump, skydive, luge, abseil, mountain bike, jet boat and “Shweeb” along a human-powered mono-rail racetrack. One unique adventure activity is Zorbing, a ride that has you rolling down a hill in a see-through inflatable globe, spinning uncontrollably like a sock in the dryer. Website: www.zorb.com

4) Wrestle an Alligator in Colorado:

Colorado Gators, a reptile park in south central Colorado, offers half-day classes where students are taught how to handle 2 to 8 foot alligators. Crocodile Dundee wannabes will learn how the gators move and how best to wrangle them. Students who successfully wrestle the small ones will move to the next challenge — the big alligator pen, to wrestle a 200lbs gator to shore. Graduates of the class are eligible to enter Gatorfest, an annual alligator rodeo held each August. The contestant who demonstrates best wrangling skills wins the title. Website: www.gatorfarm.com

5) Volcano Boarding in Nicaragua

Fear is speeding down a 1,600-foot active volcano on nothing but a sled-like slab of plywood.  Bigfoot Hostel, an adventure company and backpacker haunt located in the colonial city of Leon Nicaragua, offers trips to Volcano Cerro Negro for a day of ashy fun. Hurling down this volcano at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour is a wild experience that will leave you with a mouthful of sand and one helluva story to tell.

Bigfoot Hostel www.bigfootnicaragua.com