Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
WE MADE IT!
We are now back in Cuzco after completing the Inca Trail and reaching Machu Picchu. We are feeling sore and extemely tired but it was well worth it as it was amazing! - but back to that that later.
Before setting off we had a few days in Cuzco still aclimatising to the high altitude which is about 3400m here. We bought a few last minute bits and pieces including ponchos and alpaca wool hats, gloves, and socks for the cold nights. We also went on some visits to nearby Inca sites including experimental agricultural terraces which were used to find the ideal growing conditions for crops such as corn and quinoa, temples, houses and salt mines. Kate managed a spectacular fall when visiting one of the sites, badly grazing her hands and knees and landing on the camera which miraculously, despite being scratched and dented still managed to work! Luckily there was a doctor stationed a little way down the path so she was able to get cleaned and patched up - not sure what having a doctor permanently on hand says about how many accidents happen at these places! The only real casualty were her trousers which were ripped but because they were the zip off type the torn part could be detached leaving a pair of attractive knees covered in big dressings for all to see - anything to get out of climbing stairs at altitude. This hadn't been Kate's only injury as she had already fallen into some cacti that were growing in a wall leaving parts of the plant attached to her by 15 needles sticking into her arm, some a few inches long which were rather tough to pull out!
Two nights before we left to start the trail we met with the guides who explained what to expect - not really putting our minds at rest which was what was intended! We also had to pack our duffle bags that the porters were going to carry weighing no more than 6kgs which proved quite difficult once the sleeping bag, sleeping mat and pillow were put in!
On the first day we got up at 5:30 to get to the start of the trail. We walked for 15kms which took about eight hours including stops. There were a few tough uphill sections which really made you realise how altitude could effect your breathing. We were often overtaken by the team of twenty porters, for the fifteen of us, carrying our duffle bags as well as all the camping equipment, cooking tools, food, water, gas and the dining tent, tables and stools which were used at meal times (three course meals twice a day). These people were amazing as they were only short and often wearing only a pair of sandles but carried about 25kgs each.
Day two was the most difficult as we had to climb up and down two mountains to an altitude of 4210m at the highest point. This was a distance of about 18kms and took about 11 hours! We were very glad of the popcorn and hot drink when we got the campsite which was in a fantastic location with stunning views. The third day was much easier as we only walked for about 5 hours over a distance of about 8kms stopping at a couple of Inca sites along the way. At the end we walked for for about two hours downhill into the Amazon Basin - we all had jelly legs by the end!
The last day was amazing! We were up at 3:30 to get in line to start the last two hour walk to Machu Piccu at 5:30 when the gate opened. It was fantastic walking as the sun rose. It was very misty and we only got a short glimpse of Machu Picchu from half way at the Sun Gate. The view became spectactular the closer we got as the clouds cleared. Once we had got there we had a really interesting tour of the site for a couple of hours and then a bit of free time to explore, before making our last 1 hour walk back down to where we had lunch. We eventually got back to our hotel at 1am after a long train journey, made longer by local protestors putting rocks on the line, and then a bus journey as the tracks were still damaged by the bad weather from a few months ago. What a tiring yet awesome four days!
Tomorrow we go to Lake Titicaca and stay overnight witha family. We will try to get some photos on when we return on Monday!
K & D X
- comments