The night before our Inka Jungle trek we were kept awake by a drunken lass in the dorm who had brought back a lad. It reminded me and Si of why we hated dorms! After only a few hours sleep we grabbed a quick breakfast and were picked up by a mini-van full of other tourists. The thirteen of us sat and listened to our guide remind us of important items whilst bikes were loaded on the roof. During our three hour journey me and Si tried to catch up on some sleep. A friend we made in Fiji was on a similar tour so every so often we'd meet up with him whilst on our trek. The first part of our trip was a 50km downhill mountain bike ride. After being driven to the top of a mountain we were kitted out with helmet, gloves, high-vis jacket and bike. At first everyone felt the cold due to being at such altitude, but as we descended we warmed up and felt the suns rays once more. As we glided down we passed amazing scenery and watched as clouds covered the tops of the surrounding mountains. We sped through waterfalls that spilled over the road spraying us with cold water and we went through. The road was very windy and I was often overtaken by numerous cars and buses. Simon on the other hand was overtaking cars and lorries! Sadly part of the road was being re-done so we couldn't bike all the way to the town we were staying in. That afternoon we sat around the table in Santa Marta chatting and playing cards. Some of the group went white water rafting and others played football in the heat with the locals. The small town did not live up to its exotic name. It was dusty, run down and empty. Luckily everyone needed an early night as the next day was an early start. At 5am we woke and were ready for breakfast at half past. Thirty minutes later we began our 23km trek. The first hour and a half was on a flat road. Abraham our guide told us about the locals and the town and also pointed out fruits and plants. The tequila plant we were shown had extremely strong fibres and was used by the Incas to make rope. Off the road, the path became narrower. We walked in single file along a path beside a rather steep slope before arriving at a Coca plantation. Our guide explained the several uses and benefits of the Coca leaf and tried his best to stop us thinking instantly of Cocaine. The leaf is often used in Peruvian tea as its full of alkaloids and gives energy. Apparently the Coca Cola company still purchase quantities of the Coca leaf! It was about this point where my hired boots began to give me blisters. Si gave me his spare pair of socks but it still hurt, especially when going uphill. For the next two hours we began a zigzag incline to our lunch spot. Our group had a varied pace, some very strong walkers and others who took a more leisurely pace. I struggled up the hill and was very grateful when we had a break. At a house in the hills, locals sold drinks and snacks. Tied to a lead was a little monkey who was addicted to powerade! There was also another large animal sat on a wooden trunk. The locals made a few products and our guide let us try some. There was local coffee, coca beans roasted and covered in honey and inca peanuts. After twenty minutes it was time to walk again. At our next stop we chewed on Cocoa leaves and munched on a banana. Abraham picked a pod off a tree that became an orange dye when crushed. He then began decorating all our faces with it! Si had a fetching tash and brighter soul patch! After this we joined the Inca Trail for about an hour. The narrow stone path had a steep drop on the side and left some our group feeling slightly queasy. The view of the valley and the river running at the bottom was awesome. We made our way back down near the river for lunch and had a relaxed half hour in the hammocks. Our destination after lunch was the hot-springs so we walked along the river and crossed over a few rickety swinging bridges. To cross the river we hopped into a cart attached to cable and were pulled across. We finally made it to the hot springs just as other groups were leaving. Relaxing in the hot water was so nice after a days walk. The majority of the group decided to take a taxi to the town after the hot springs. Whilst waiting for it to arrive in the dark the group began to sing a range of songs - some good and some not so good but it kept spirits high. The taxi never came so Si lent me his flip flops and we walked in the dark to the town. It was twelve hours between the time we had set off and the time we sat down for tea - we were all ready for bed! The second day was another walk or optional zip-wire across the valley. The zip-wire cost extra money and it was pretty high so both me and Si decided not to. I decided not to walk in the morning as my blisters were open, sore and infected. I didn't want to be crippled by the time we arrived to our destination. I hopped in a taxi whilst Si walked with the group. They walked up to a waterfall and cooled off in the running water. The rest of the walk was in direct sunlight and no locals were selling water. Although the walk wasn't steep the heat was intense. Everyone arrived for lunch looking hot and bothered! After lunch I joined the group as we walked beside the train tracks to the town at the bottom of Matchu Picchu. We got our first glimpse of the ruins from a far distance and they didn't look overly impressive from so far away. It was nice to have our destination in view. We arrived in the town and showered before dinner. After our plates were cleared we were told the plans for the morning. A different tour guide would be showing us around at six in the morning for two hours. Additionally, in order to climb Huanaua Picchu we had to wake at four in the morning and begin the climb at quater to five. Only four hundred people are allowed to climb up Huayanna Picchu each day so its a bit of a race. From the top you get great views of the valley and Machu Picchu. After grub we popped to the shops to stock up on water and snacks as it was three times more expensive at Machu Picchu. It didn't take long for us to get sleep but we were woken a few times in the night by school kids and a later by heavy rain. Our alarm was set for three forty in the morning and as we rose the rain eased. We got dressed and made our way to the bridge using our headtorches for light. I swear I spotted a person in the bushes and began to think we'd be robbed but Simon said I was hallucinating! We had a few group pics before the gates were opened and the climb began. Apparently its a thousand steps but it felt like more! The steep steps after little sleep and no food were a killer! It was a constant climb zig-zagging our way up to Machu Picchu. My hired shoes were once again rubbing on my open blisters and I was being overtaken by many others. Despite my snails pace, Simon stuck with me the entire time and risked losing out on climbing Huanaua Picchu, the big mountain. He was definately earning himself some major brownie points! Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime thing, yet he potentially gave up an awesome view of the place for me! We passed another lass who was also struggling and had been abandoned by her boyfriend. The three of us made it in an hour looking very sweaty! As we stood in the line we were so relieved to have arrived and additionally pleased that we were in the first four hundred and were given a pass to climb the mountain. Some of our group were in the first five to arrive, others took the bus. Despite being some of the last in our group to arrive, we were both still majorly proud of ourselves. Before our tour began I had time to change my shoes. One lass mentioned that my blisters co-ordinated with my red nail polish! My plasters had come off so I spent the day picking muck and bugs out of the blisters! Gross!!! Our tour guide frog marched us through part of the ruins to the terraces. We were being told off as we were walking at our own comfortable pace enjoying the scenery and taking photos. We were gathered on one of the terraces and told a few facts about how Machu Picchu was discovered and learned about the temples and other buildings. All the buildings were anti-seismic and built from the large polished carved rocks. As we toured the ruins we were told some tales but as there are very little historical facts we were unsure of what to believe. Regardless it was still amazing! After our tour we rested on the floor and gained some strength before we climbed up Huanaua Picchu. We began the climb and it took us less than an hour to reach the top. From the first place we stopped at the top we had awesome views of Machu Picchu and its condor shape. The views of the surrounding mountains were beautiful. The last part of our day was spent sat at the guard house taking in the spectacular view of the ruins and Haunaua Picchu whilst resting our feet! It was awesome! Thankfully we didn't have to walk back. We caught the train from the town and enjoyed the rest. The train was a tourist train and the servers entertained us with a cultural dance and a catwalk of llama wear! It was so funny. We then hopped into a mini-bus that took us back to Cusco. Luckily Si spotted our hostel so we were able to hop out the van and into bed! We were both completely drained but had had an awesome tour with a fab group of people!