We set off really early on a bus from Cusco to Urubamba, a small local village striving off its farming industry in corn and quinoa, where we stopped to have breakfast. We continued on up into the mountains to the start of our trek through the Andes. Our guide was a lovely Andean guy named Henry and our team consisted of three more local Andean men from the Lares Valley who were to be our chef, assistant and horse man for the next few days. Lares is a region in the Sacred Valley in the Andes mountains, also home to Machu Picchu - one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
The hike was no easy task but it really was absolutely beautiful and in the sunshine, being surrounding by mountains and trekking through vast valleys with waterfalls and rivers beside us almost the entire time. We stopped at some Inca ruins for a break and Henry told us some interesting history and information.
As the climb continued I started to find it so difficult to breath at such high altitude and for a while wondered how on earth I was going to complete the trek! I took it slowly and it was such a strange feeling having my lungs scream for more air before my legs needed a break. It was like my body was ready and wanted to go on but couldn't!
We stopped and had lunch at the most beautiful setting, high up in the clouds with the distant valley we just trekked through in clear sight. In a tent we were served a delicious warm soup, trout, rice and vegetables - one of my favourite meals so far and cooked on a camping gas stove up in the mountains! Our chef was so talented.
We set off again and after a while I acclimatised to the altitude making the hike a lot more pleasant and meaning I could really take in the scenery without distractions. After almost an entire day of trekking uphill we reached our campsite at around 4200 metres which had been all set up for us by the lovely Andean crew. We indulged in Happy Hour followed by a wonderful Peruvian dinner and the sky looked just magical with a million bright stars - we were even able to see Venus! Prepared with loads of layers we got to bed ready for another early start ahead to reach the mountain peak; I couldn't wait for bed as I was so tired after essentially 7 or so hours of inclined walking but was also so excited for the next day that it couldn't come fast enough.