Hi everyone!!

We made it, it was hard but worth every second, the end result (Machu Picchu) was nothing but fantastic! Below is a day by day account of our Inca trail adventure.

Day1 - After getting picked up at 4.30 (yes 4.30) in the morning we drove an hour and 1/2 to Kilometre 82 where we were to begin our 4 days of walking. There were 13 in our group including us, 3 British lads, another British couple, a American lad, a British lad, an Aussie couple and a French couple, plus our entourage of 2 guides and 18 porters. We set off about 9 after getting a stamp in our passports which Louise was very excited about. We walked for about 2 hours before stopping for a break (the porters carrying 25 kilos had already ran passed us by this point, they were amazing). We were provided with snacks unfortunately for Louise a local pig took great interest in her food and proceeded to take it out of her bag, funny site watchin her try to get it back, the pig won!! Had some coca leaves before setting off again for another 2 hours. Thankfully it was then lunch time. Trapsing into lunch we were shocked to see a dining tent up, drinks being passed roundby the porters and hot water to wash in, we were then even more more shocked when lunch came out 3 courses, an avocado salad, soup and just so much pasta. Walking on very full stomachs in the afternoon, Matt was very pleased to discover the break in the afternoon involved a game of football which his side won. Passing another check point and therefore getting another stamp we had just a hour uphill walk to camp for the evening. Arrived in camp (Louise first) about 5 ish again everything was ready with all our tents up, hot water again and happy hour (tea, popcorn and biscuits). After changing we were then provided with another amazing 3 course dinner just dont know how they managed it. Shattered after dinner we were all in bed by 8.30 but first day over only 3 more to go.

Day 2 - The day we were dreading. We got woken up at 5.30 by the porters providing us with tea in bed (luxury!!). Breakfast was another amazing feast of fruit salad, pancakes and toast (didnt feel like we were roughing it camping at all). Set off walking about 7 for what was going to be the toughest part, we were to go up 900 metres to 4200m above sea level to Dead Womans Pass. It was hard, took about 3 hours and didnt we know it, every step and every breathe was felt but we made it and once at the top all was forgotten, the sense of achievement was fantastic!! After all that hard work we then had to go down the other side and as luck would have it, it started raining making the steps slippy and descent even harder. After yet another brill lunch we then had to go up again to another pass luckily not so high. Passed an Inca ruin on the way, good excuse for us to stop while the guide explained about some more Inca stuff to us. Once at the top of the second pass we had to wait for the rest of our group to catch up ( Yes Louise was very pleased to discover she is not that unfit and managed to keep up with the lads in the front group). Whilst waiting boys being boys had to find another mountain to scrabble up so when Freddie our guide shouted Vamos they were good distance away, this meant that Louise was with the rest of the group but soon discovered she was actually on her own as they were so slow going down she was ahead before she realised, actually very peaceful. Arrived at our next stop another massive Inca ruin, (Louise about 10 mins before anyone else) none of which they are entirely sure what they were or used for alot is speculation. The only another 1/2 hour to camp yey! after 9 hours of walking couldnt wait to get there. As what was now the norm everything was ready when we got there and as a reward for such a hard day we had WINE!!!!!!! and played a card game which turned out to be quite messy!! (would take to long to explain. Another fab meal this time we had trout before heading to bed and the realisation that the hardest part was over.

Day 3- Had a lie in until 6.30 before embarking on only 5 hours of walking today. Matt headed off with the guide and an British lad, the were steaming ahead before anyone else even had their shoes on. Matt on his way also had a birds and the bees lesson in the form of an interestingly shaped orchid. They eventually stopped and allowed the rest of us to catch up, after 2 hours of walking through some great scenery we saw our first glimpse of the Machu Picchu mountain behind which was our final destination. From there we walked down and down and down, knees not happy. Another Inca ruin (hoping will not be ruined out by the time we get to the real deal) arrived for lunch and camp at about 2 and brilliantly no more walking for the rest of the day. Camp for the night only 200 m from the entrance to the Sun gate, here it felt even less than camping had the previous nights, it had a bar, shower and proper toilets! After nice relaxing rest in the afternoon we got taken to see some more Inca ruins which were really impressive. That evening we enjoyed our last meal together had a speech and thank you for the porters who had been amazing without them we would never have made it and then went for a few beers in the bar, late night didnt go to bed until 11.

Day 4 - The day we had all been waiting for, got woken up in the dark about 3.50 and were all packed up ready to leave by 4.30 (had a breakfast of birthday cake as French ladies birthday). Only a 10 min walk to the entrance to the Sun gate had to wait for the gates to be open at 5.30. Our guide wasnt happy as he wanted us to be the first group through but we were second so his plan of action was for us all to get through the gate and just run so we would be first to the Sun gate. We didnt actually think he was serious until we had passed the check point and looked up to see the front runners in our group had gone. We started running half heartedly and overtook a few from the group in front at the gate and soon enough we were there. The walk should take about an hour, we made it in about 35 mins and discovered a few in our group including the guide made it in 25 mins and were the first there. It was amazing once there and we could see what we had walked 4 days to see Machu Picchu. Had some very sweaty pictures taken before walking the final stretch. We werent disappointed our first site the typical postcard shot was amazing and there was hardly anyone around, it really was worth walking and wanting for. We were taken into the ruins and had a 2 hour tour around the site which was just fantastic, but that wasnt enough for us. After 4 days of walking we wanted more so we climbed the mountain behind Machu Picchu (as you can see in the picture). It was hard, almost harder than the whole Inca trail (as you will see from the photos when we eventually upload them, Matt wasnt very happy) but again it was worth it, great views. when we came down from the mountain it was a culture shock the whole area was covered with people who had come off the train, it was just too crowded, definatley made you glad you had got up early and seen the site as it should be seen, it was no way near as good now, so we left. Not just for that reason though, the boys had an appointment another football match, the gringos against the guides!! And shock they got stuffed, the 4 days walking and that final climb had finally taken there toll, but for the guides it was as if they had been resting for 4 days. After a farewell lunch and train back to Cusco it was all over.

It had been an absolutely amazing 4 days and although hard we had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves but would never do it again. Would recommend it to anyone.

Now on our final leg of South America, will update you all on the rest soon

Take care

Tatey and Lou xxx