This is what it’s like to trek Machu Picchu as a Porter with 25kg on your back everyday

The Inca Trail is one of the most famous journeys in South America and is often rated by many to be in the top 5 treks in the world.

The epic trek winds up mountain paths to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu.

The journey isn’t easily done, travellers need porters to guide and assist them in completing the trail.

Access onto the Inca Trail is limited, in a bid to conserve the landscape of the lost city.

There are up to 500 permits a day, approximately 300 of which go to porters and guides.

The unsung heroes of this notorious trail are undoubtedly the Porters – the climb wouldn’t even be possible without their hard work.

The role of a porter is to assist and guide people completing the Inca Trail.

This means carrying equipment, preparing meals and pitching tents for a group usually consisting of around fourteen people.

All while carrying up to 25kg of equipment and dealing with high altitude.

One trekker who was amazed by the porters’ hard work along the trail has returned to take on the arduous job for himself.

In 2016 Jarlath McHale completed the Inca trail as a visitor.

He was so astounded by the incredible work the porters did and admired them so much, that with the help of Exodus Travels he travelled back to South America to complete the Inca trail again – but this time as a porter.

Watch the gruelling life of a porter in the video above.