Hello from Cusco, Peru.

We have now been in the beautiful country of Peru for just over two weeks. We arrived from Brazil into the capital, Lima. Lima seemed quiet compared with the hussle and bussle of Rio and we decided we would happily chill until we started our inca trail adventure. Two nights passed by without much to speak of apart from making a local aquantence who just happened to pay for the whole of our night and shared some travelling tips that we were sure to need during our time in Peru.

After one nights stop in Lima and a lot of churros (sugar coated, chocolate filled delights) we flew to Cusco where our inca adventure would begin. Next thing we knew we were at the begining of our four day hike, slightly worried about the altitude as we were soon out of breath just from walking up the stairs to our hotel room but raring to go all the same.

After an easy first day we set up camp in a place called "waillabamba" an eventful night was to follow. Our guide had mentioned to us that the locals would be having a football match later that evening and naturally we were keen to get involved. After a short walk from camp through some heavy undergrowth we came across a dust pitch covered in stones which happened to be surrounded by the most dramatic panoramic view you could ever imagine. After a couple of minutes adjusting to the altitude we started to show the Peruvians how football really should be played. They seemed in awe and we quickly had a crowd of other hikers cheering us on. A davies hatrick and a lupton freekick did the job.

The next day was a bit of a shock to the system!!! We hiked to the highest point of the trail, eventually we reached 4200m (beating both our guide and a 26 year old from the army... easily) at the "dead womans pass"once we all caught our breath we stumbled across the most breathtaking views. A 600m walk downhill left us with sore knees but it was totally worth it. We were totally ready for an early night but a certain tarantula had other ideas!!! The biggest spider any of us had ever seen just happened to be sitting two meters from our tents, this obviously made sleepy slightly more difficult!

Day three was much more relaxed although it was the longest we had hiked so far, about 14k but it was much more flat than any of the other days. We reached camp at about 5pm and after an excellent meal we hit the hay ready for a 4am start and machu picu, or so we thought... rob spent most of the night outside the tent being sick whilst martyn and I slept like babies. sorry rob!

By 5am on day four we were up, fully fed (excluding poor rob) and ready to go. A two hour hike (three for rob and his dodgy stomach) we reached the famous sun gate, to be quite honest it was completely useless, it was so misty that we couldnt see a thing. As we made our way down the mist began to clear and machu picu appeared as if just by magic. No showers, robs stomach, tarantulas and blisters all totally worth it!

After marvelling at the wonders of machu picu for a couple of hours we made our way back to Cusco for a well earned beer or two! The Point hostel in Cusco has been our home for the last week. Some of these stories however shall stay in Cusco... well at least the ones we remember!

Next stop... detox in Arequipa!

Fergus