Photographer Lola Akinmade says this about her photo titled The Mighty Porters:

“Huffing and puffing along the legendary Inca Trail en route to Machu Picchu with just my trekking poles and a light daypack in tow, there were numerous moments when I felt taking another step was impossible. As I find a rocky slab to sit on and collect my breath, the words “Hola senorita!” jolt me back to life. Porters. With huge grins while forging on like soldier ants, they march past me with pounds of gear strapped to their backs.”

The Inca road system refers to the many extensive roads and trails that were constructed in Peru during the Pre-Columbian era. The most popular of the trails today is of course the Capaq Nan trail which travelers hike to get to Machu Pichu. Because of erosion concerns, the Peruvian government has put a limit on the number of travelers that can access the trail; only 500 are allowed per day. To learn more about hiking the Inca Trail check out this helpful article at backcountry.com.

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