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Well, we have both just ticked off one more thing on the bucket list... The Inca Trail. What an amazing experience.
Before starting the trek, we spent s few days exploring Cusco. Such a great place and completely different to La Paz. Very colonial buildings and a very vibrant place. We managed to catch up with Gina again, it was great to see a familiar face and catch up on each others adeventures over the last 2 months. We also did a chocolate making class together.
We then headed to our hotel for the start of our tour. Had a full debrief by our guide, Chao, of what to expect and we both started getting excited. First day was a trip into Sacred Valley. This is the start of the original Inca trek between Cusco and Manchu Picchu and has many ancient ruins. Saw some of the original terraces that the Inca's built along with a hill containing thousands of mummified remains. We visited a local village and saw how the women made textiles from the llama and alpaca wool. Once finished we headed to a town called Ollantaytambo which is the starting point of the trek. We spent the afternoon exploring the ruins around the town and learning a great deal about the Inca's/Quechua people.
We were all up early to start the trek. Little concerned as it bucketed down during the night and was looking overcast when we ventured outside. We then found out we had a slight delay as the brakes weren't working on our mini bus..... Fantastic. We took a short stroll to an Inca storage house and got a different view of the town. Once we returned a replacement bus had arrived and off we went.
After a short bus ride we reached the 82km mark which is the starting point of the trek. After a quick double check of our equipment, couple of photos and passport checks we were off. The first day was fairly easy, gentle 11km stroll through tiny villages and some ruins. Not as many along this part of the trek though. We met our amazing team of porters, many who were the husbands of the women from the village that we visited. There were about 30 in the team. Most men had been porting for around four years. Some for many more and had walked the trek over 400 times. They were very inspirational and extremely hard working. Their generosity is overwhelming, and we are forever grateful to them.
We camped overnight on some comfy grass and fell asleep early to the sound of the rain belting against our tent.
Upon waking to our wake up call and a hot cup of coca tea, we then set off for a world of pain. Day 2 consists of another 12km however we have to climb from 2900ms (campsite) to 4215ms (dead woman's pass). This was a solid 6 hours of walking uphill, upstairs with a brief stop for lunch. The views of the valley were amazing (when we managed to get a glimpse through the clouds). Once we reached dead woman's pass we were in the thick of the clouds and unable to get a view of the valley. We then had a 3hr descent to 3600 mts. This was a little tricky as it consisted of a straight descent down stone stairs which were slick from the rain. There were a coupe of slips and tumbles but no major damage was down.
Day 3 consisted of our longest trek. We were up at 5am for a solid 18k day ahead of us. This was by far the best day. We had one small climb to 3900mts which was fairly easy compared to the previous day. This part of the trek is littered with ruins and it is unbelievable to see where and how they built them. Some of the designs are ingenious especially the aqueducts and the positioning (geographical and astronomical) of the sites. We covered a lot of the trek in thick cloud, however upon reaching our lunch spot, we come through the top of the clouds and were able to get a great few of the surrounding valley. Had an amazing lunch on the plateau and was spoiled by our chef who baked a cake for us!
We then completed the 'gringo killer' which is a 7km descent to our camp. This is all stairs that are very slippery and at an angle generally steeper than most staircases. The stairs themselves are narrow as well. Just before reaching the camp we took a detour to some terraced ruins and spent about 30min sitting on the top terrace over looking the valley and the river. An amazing view and definitely the highlight for me (Kevin) of the trek.
We spent our final night about 1hr from the Sun Gate and had an early wake up call at 3.30am. This was so we could line up for the final check point which opened at 5.30am. After a short walk we reached the 'monkey steps' just before the sun gate. Named like that as they are so steep that most people have to climb them using their hands. Was a killer on the legs after the previous few days. We then crossed through the sun gate to be greeted by a valley completely covered in cloud, so we all sat and waited. The clouds parted slightly and it gave us a small glimpse of Machu Picchu. All the other people completing the trek, then descended to Machu Picchu. However our guide told us to wait a little longer. He pulled out is recorder like instrument and played the rain song to Pachamumma (Mother Earth) and within about 20min the clouds completed cleared and we saw Machu Picchu in all of its glory. We were lucky as we we're the only ones left and got to take some amazing photos.
We then quickly completed the descent to Machu Picchu to be greeted by hundreds of tourists. The views of the city were amazing and unbelievable to see where and how they built this city. After a little while of viewing the city, we then descended to the main entrance point for a quick break before heading back into the city for our tour. It really is a special place and it is amazing what they built and their belief system, and all only 500 years ago. The city is placed in exactly equal distances to each of the surrounding 3 glaciers. Certain buildings have windows facing the direction of the winter and summer solstices so they know when the seasons are to start. Add to this that the sun dial (carved out of the mountain rock) is angled at exactly 13 degrees which is the distance of the city from the equator. How they knew this is truly outstanding.
We toured the city for and 1.40mins fighting the crowds. We then jumped on the bus to head to Aguas Calientes town for a well earned beer and chocolate brownie for Claire. After that, a quick train ride back to Ollantaytambo and then on the bus to Cusco. We were all exhausted but incredibly grateful that we were able to complete the trek and experience it.
We now have about 2 and a bit weeks to kill before our flight to the US. We are still working out what to do and are currently taking it easy in Cusco. What a tough position to be in.
Hope you enjoy the photos and will keep you posted on our movements.
Peace out.
- comments
Windy Great report Super Kev, sounds amazing. Let us know what you get up to over the coming weeks. Watch that hammy of yours, you're not getting any younger.
Mum Love all the photos.I have looked at them about 5 times.Some amazing sights.I can see how tough the trek was.Looking foreward to the next update.Lots of love.Stay safe.Miss you!
Gina Great blog! Where are you now? We've just arrived in La Paz after the gravel road o/n bus from Sucre.