Hi Everyone, just returned from the 3 day lares trek to machu picchu and a day visiting the site. The trek was absolutely fantastic, never dropping below 3800 metres and gaining a maximum height of 4300 metres.

This trek is slightly different than the official Inca trail to machu picchu which is quite heavily regulated, with only a certain number of people allowed to start the trail per day.

The Lares trail took us through the mountains and gave us a glimpse into the lives of the people who inhabit them. Our guide suggested we bought a small amount of small toys and bread to give to the children we met on the trail. To be honest it was one of the most moving experience any of us has had. The joy the children showed form receiving such small gifts ( plastic farm animals, felt tip pens, and plastic toy cars ) was something really special.

The first night of the trek was spent camping in a disused graveyard and a touch spooky! The second day took us over two mountain passes, reaching a height of 4300 metres. We spent our second night camped at over 4000 metres, the temparature dropped to below minus 5 degrees!! It was absolutely freezing, i dont think our summer sleeping bags were quite upto the job. We both had to wear all of our clothing, i think nicola had on over 6 layers. During the early hours of the morning we had to resort to using our emergency survival blanket!!

Thankgod we had a nice hostel booked in machu pichu town, our room had a jacuzzi bath and a bed with a real duvet and soft pillows. Much appreciated after 3 days without washing and sleeping on camping mats.

The next day we woke at 4.30am to catch the first bus upto machu picchu to see the sunrise.

Machu Picchu was amazing but i dont think its a real wonder of the world!! But is quite special all the same. Climbed up wayna picchu, a mountain to the side of the main site to get a birds eye view. Photos will be uploaded soon. Nicola is becoming a bit of a mountaineer, not too sure she likes the clothing yet though...

In cusco for the next 3 days chilling, before we move onto to Puno and lake Titicaca, where spend a night with a local family on a floating reed island.