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Got to Cusco and it was one of the guys on the trucks birthday so had a bit of a big night out. Irish pub and some gringo filled club for a bit of boogie.
The next moring was interesting as we went on a tour of the sacred valley and a few people were a little worse for wear. I was fine, just a bit tired. We had a bus drive us around lots of inca ruins which we walked around while being told aboutthe incas. ended up in a place not far for the start of the Inca Trail where we stayed in Doris' house.
Unfortunately the next morning about 5 people were sick (possibly something to do with the crap restaurant we ate at the night before). Luckily everyone decided to go ahead and start the trail anyway and hope for the best.
We drove to the start of the trail, bought our extremely useful walking sticks, water, toilet roll, had a group photo taken, passports stamped and started the 39km trek.
Although it doesnt sound like its very long, it is extremely hard work- very steep uphills and lots of declines which is agony on your knees, plus the whole trail is winding around all these mountains, often in the rain in our case. Having said all that, it was still bloody amazing.
Day one was an easy introduction day to the walking and fairly easy. That afternoon when we arrived at camp, the boys played football with the porters who were legends and carried all our stuff (duffle bags, tents, sleeping mats, cook tent, food, gas bottles etcetc-amazing!) Thenwe had afternoon tea, played cards and killed time until dinner, then off to bed.
Day two stared with a wakeup call by the porters and guides at 7am with tea, then the hardest hike began. The first 5 hours were completely uphill and it was a hard climb. Plus the fact that it was miserable and wet didnt really help. Also once we got to the top of the 2nd pass, dead womans pass, it was straight back down for about 2 hours in the pouring rain. You couldnt even see a foot ahead so was like walking blind down a waterwall. Was suchan achievement to get into camp and we all slept verywell that night.
Day three wsa a bit achy on the legs due to the previous day, but was fun. Was not ashard as day 2, but still quite a work out as it was the longest walk out of all the days, 14km. And again it rained quite a bit. That night was an extremely early one as day four we had to be up at 3.50am!!!
We left just before 5am in hope to get to Maccu Picchu before all the cheaters who take the train up arrive and swarm the place. We did manage this arriving just after 7am, but unfortunately it was so cloudy you couldn't see anything. So we waited at a cafe in the wet and cold and tried again a bit later. I was not impressed, but luckily when we went back it had cleared up and was pretty incredible. The place is really big and amazing. We walked around, took photos and just enjoyed the view. It wsant the best weather to have, but still gotto see it all and it is impressive.
Arriving back to Cusco after the trail was great, although I had to have a cold shower...my first one in nearly a week so I wasnt that happy. Then we all slept very well.
Since then I've just been enjoying the free time to walk around the city, which is lovely, apart from all the locals trying to sell you everything and continualy shouting at you while your trying to enjoy your day. We're having another night out tonight and tomorrow I tihnk I'll do my last bit of touristy things beforeleaving and going back to camping on Monday.
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