How to Plan a Hike on the Inca Trail, Winning $500,000 on a Game Show, Learning from the Past with Philip Gibbons

Zero To Travel Podcast

Jason Moore

Society & Culture, Business, Entrepreneurship, Places & Travel

4.6 • 866 Ratings

🗓️ 5 August 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What’s it like to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, especially if you're doing it later in life? Philip Gibbons is a 68-year-old traveler, podcaster, and former Who Wants To Be A Millionaire winner who just got back from hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu at the time of this recording. In this episode, Philip walks us through the whole experience, from the planning process and permit system to the physical demands, group dynamics, costs, and what he'd do differently next time. Philip shares what worked, what surprised him, and all the practical stuff that online forums and tour companies tend to gloss over. Whether you're just starting to dream about Machu Picchu or deep into planning mode, this episode will help you feel more prepared (and more excited) to go. Have you hiked the Inca Trail or visited Machu Picchu? What was your experience like? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message Tune In To Learn: Why Philip chose the 5-day, 4-night route over the standard 4-day trek How to avoid a miserable early-morning line at Machu Picchu The best time of year to hike for safety, views, and weather Why the altitude and terrain are more intense than most expect How to choose a trekking company and avoid overpriced “luxury” options What Philip spent and where he splurged (and saved) Tips for avoiding food poisoning and staying healthy on the Inca Trail How a $30 private tent upgrade changed everything Why trekking poles are essential gear, even for the young and fit How winning $500,000 on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire changed Philip’s life And so much more Resources: Sign up for our FREE newsletter Philip’s website and podcast Philip on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Hiram Bingham Trail - PeruRail Info Inca Trail Permits Info - Peru Tourism Want More? A 2,190+ Mile Mother-Son Adventure: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail after a Decade of Nomadic Family Travel with Jessica and Largo Sueiro Trekking from France to Austria (Using Hand-Drawn Maps from Locals) + Advocating for Torture Prevention Around the World with Ben Buckland Hiking the Camino De Santiago, Painting Your Travels, Letting Curiosity Rule, and Tiny House Living with Kari Gale Thanks To Our Sponsors: Apple Card - Earn 3% back on the Apple products and services you love with Apple Card. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	It was the experience of a lifetime, which a lot of people always say that.
0:05.4	And I would say that in my case, I think once in a lifetime, even though it was fabulous
0:10.7	and amazing and lived up to all of my expectations, but once was enough.
0:16.3	That is today's guest, Philip D. Gibbons, a journalist, documentary, filmmaker, and
0:20.2	creator of the
0:21.0	History Biography podcast titled Some Very Famous People You've Never Really Heard of.
0:25.7	When we recorded this interview, Philip had just returned from five days and four nights
0:30.1	hiking the world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which of course is one of the most popular
0:36.9	adventure travel experiences in the world.
0:39.2	If it's something you want to do, you generally have to book it months in advance.
0:43.5	So use this episode today to lock in your trip for the coming year, if that's something you
0:49.6	wanted to do.
0:50.4	And hopefully this will save you months of research and potentially thousands of dollars in
0:55.3	mistakes. I chose fill up for this interview not only because he was fresh back from the trip,
1:01.1	but also I thought he could offer some great advice around the physical part of the experience.
1:09.2	He is 68 years old. He was very upfront about that in the
1:12.7	email, and that was one of the things he wanted to discuss, how it was a bit tougher physically
1:16.8	for him. So if you're younger, perhaps hearing about his experience will act as a call to action
1:23.3	to plan a trip that's very physical in nature like this,
1:27.6	sooner rather than later.
1:28.6	And if you're older, you're going to hear
1:29.9	what the experience was like for Philip
	...

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