Let "Inca Trails" take you on a wondrous journey through the remote, rugged and beautiful wilderness of the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes . . . Along the way, discover the gripping, poignant story of the rise and fall of the Inca Empire

Imagine taking a wondrous journey through the remote, rugged and beautiful wilderness of the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes. Imagine further that during your journey, you discover the gripping, poignant story of the rise and fall of the Inca empire.

You probably already know that the Incas were the last great pre-Columbian civilisation to evolve in South America. Believing themselves the chosen people of the Sun God, the Incas combined military might with skilful diplomacy and masterly administration to forge a vast empire that spanned the length of the Andes.

Yet, at the height of their power as undisputed Andean overlords, and within just a few months, the all-conquering Incas themselves fell prey to a tiny band of Spanish invaders.

Where did the Incas come from and what is the truth behind the many myths surrounding their meteoric rise and dramatic downfall? Join the author on an amazing voyage of wonder and discovery to find out.

From the Incas’ mythical birthplace in Lake Titicaca, journey across awe-inspiring Andean ranges to the empire’s majestic pinnacle at Cuzco and Machu Picchu, and beyond to the scene of the Incas’ final stand against the Conquistadores in the jungle-choked forests of Vilcabamba.

As you read "Inca Trails", you will breathe in the clean, crisp air of the rarefied, snow-capped Andes. You start to feel the spiritual stillness of Lake Titicaca and high mountain passes. You marvel as shooting stars streak across the Andean night sky. You imagine yourself gazing in awe at glorious Inca cities such as Machu Picchu (one of the New Seven Wonders of the World), Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Choquequirao, and the beautiful colonial architecture, cobbled streets and plazas of Cuzco.

Woven throughout the tale of the journey is the gripping and poignant story of the rise and fall of the glittering, but short-lived, Inca empire. Discover the truth about the Incas and their fascinating culture and beliefs. Witness the bloody but daring Spanish Conquest and the doomed Inca attempts to repel the Conquistadores.

Virtually the entire journey is a breathtaking palette of spectacular landscapes, historical resonance and vibrant culture that never fails to thrill and inspire. As you read, you start to feel a deep sense of wonder and enchantment awakening within you.

Reader Reviews

"A fascinating and engaging study of Bolivian and Peruvian culture and history, ‘Inca Trails’ narrates the author’s journey through the former birthplace and short-lived empire of the Incas.

Apart from being an informative account of ancient history, this book is also an exciting piece of travel writing, full of vivid descriptions of landscapes, the Incas’ religion and architecture, and modern-day Bolivian and Peruvian culture that will leave you with the feeling that you have been to the places yourself. Nonetheless – or maybe for this very reason – it seems unfortunate that the book contains only a very few, black-and-white photographs.

Thanks to the author’s humorous and straightforward writing style, this is an educational as well as entertaining read. A three-page glossary usefully defines unknown Andean terms and names.

I gladly recommend this book to anyone interested in South American history and culture. Not only will you gain geographical and historical knowledge of the places described – i.e. climate and vegetation, the Incas’ politics, culture and mythology – but you also learn a lot about the region and its people today, including the local cuisine, music, festivities, as well as other customs and traditions." Lisa Timmermann

"Weaving history and travelogue together, the author records his adventures from Bolivia and his journey into Peru. Along this journey through the Inca lands, the author evokes rich detail and interactions with the various South American people-groups scattered throughout the land. The author provides an enjoyable and also educational experience that may help readers see a world outside their own and encourage them to travel to new places.

Stylistically, the writer's clarity is evident throughout the text. The writing appears very action-oriented, and focuses on details that leave the reader to ponder the importance and meaning behind the journey's events and sites. Largely, the journey gives flesh to the historical sections, also providing a distinct revelation into how different (or not so different) are people of the present as those of the past.

The unique mixture of history and travel provide an overarching opening into the cultural patterns of society and the hearts and minds of humanity." Jean Wahlborg