Hey r/travel, help me accomplish a life-long dream? I'd love to hike an extended version of the Inka Trail!

Hi everyone,

Ever since I was a kid I've wanted to see Machu Picchu. Having gone through high school, university, and the beginnings of a master's degree, I haven't exactly had the time or money (!!!) to spare. Air Canada is holding a contest and giving away 750 round-trip tickets to any destination they go, and sweet mercy would I love to snag one of those.

I've never left the continent. My family has been on vacation five times, though I missed one due to being in school. They always go to Florida. Florida is nice, and I'm really thankful I've been able to go, but I want ADVENTURE. Something way out of the ordinary.

I'd love to hike the Inka Trail. Actually, the hike I want is a seven day variant (that eventually meets up) that passes beneath the mountain of Salkantay. It looks glorious.

Air Canada is having this contest on facebook. "Around the World in 750 Stories". You can post your own, and view/vote for others as well. Help a brotha out? I'm taking a year from my degree to work and save some money, so there's no way I could afford to do this without some serious help. Round-trip tickets would make it entirely possible. Here's what I wrote for my entry:

*BEFORE YOU READ ON, I made a damn spelling mistake in my title. As far as I'm aware, there is no Inka Train. It's depressing. I can't edit it. I can't delete it.

Vote early, vote often, and vote regardless of spelling errors!

"To Hike on the Inka Train

Connor Thompson

The Salkantay trek on the Inka Trail is a harsh, seven day climb amongst the snow-capped mountains of Peru. A few days to acclimatize are necessary before beginning the hike, which passes through the Inkan ruins of Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna. The trip is about twice as far and at a much higher altitude than the traditional Inka Trail, which it actually meets up with on the fourth day. If you do a little research you'll find out that even in June and July the mountains can be excruciatingly cold, but I've yet to come across anyone who said it wasn't worth the trip. The views are, again from what I've heard, spectacular. The Inka Trail pops up on 'Top 10' lists and has been so highly praised that it needs to be my first big backpacking trip out of the country. I can't get it out of my head. The last day is supposed to be the most climactic. On the final morning, the group makes it to the citadel of Machu Picchu just in time to see the sun rise and cover the ancient ruins in a warming glow. Having never left the continent, I can think of nothing that I'd like to see more. Only 500 people are permitted to walk the Inka Trail each day, and 300 of those permits go to locals (workers, trail guides, etc.). That leaves 200 permits for travellers looking for the trip of a lifetime. Having either been a student or working to save and go back to school, I've never had the financial ability to plan such an extravagant trip; the cost of the flight has always been an overwhelming obstacle. I've wanted to visit Machu Picchu ever since I first saw it on a grainy VHS tape in my grade four history class. A round-trip ticket means that I can take a little time away from work next summer and do something I've been thinking about since I was a kid!"