Lares Trek & Machu Picchu
1st Nov - 4th Nov (Day 242 - Day 245)

What a crazy four days it has been. Day 1 of trek we were awoken by our alarms at 4.30am. We had an hour to get dressed, showered before our pick up. Bye bye to showers for a couple of days!!

We drove to Ollantaytambo in the sacred valley to pick up the rest of our group. We would eventually be a group of 10, Inc one gap guy that decided to come on the trek for fun. There were us four, a few aussies, a yankie, and a canadian chinese. We brought some coca leaves and bread each to give to the local people we would meet on the trek.

After picking up our provisions we drove to the start of our trek, climbing to 3600m. We were greeted by donkeys, llamas, and a family of horsemen.

Day 1 was extremely hard for all of us, the altitude was hard to cope with, feelings of dizziness, nausea and tight chests. It didn't help that I was still suffering from my cough and cold that I got in Ecuador. We passed beautiful scenery and many local children that were very shy but not shy enough to take the bread from our hands. Lol.

The weather was nice for a little while then the dark clouds and rain came. After hiking for about four hours we had our lunch stop. Me, t and Jess were very tired. I ended up being sick and unable to eat. Altitude sickness!!!!

We were still only half way through the day and had another 3 hrs to go before we got to the campsite. Unfortunately we had a hurdle to overcome first, an hour's hike to the first summit of the trek (4200m). This would prove to be the most difficult point of the trek. We (not inc Chris) walked like zombies the whole way stopping every 10 steps.

I was very glad when I made it to the summit and then to camp. Once at camp our tents were already set up and we had bowls of warm water awaiting us, with snacks of popcorn and warm drinks too. Everyone had an early night, to recuperate for day 2's three hour hike to the second summit.

Day 2 we were awoken by Alex (assistant guide), the international waiter, and Elias (horseman's little son) with coca tea and bowls of hot water. It had been a cold, sleepless night for me. After breakfast and packing away our stuff we began our hour's walk to a local house. Due to the rain, the terrain was very muddy, losing our shoes in the 'quick' mud.

When we arrived at the isolated house we were welcomed into the house where Pedro our tour guide informed us of their day to day lives. It was very interesting and felt real and not touristy. After the talk I spent the next 30 mins playing with the four children and taking photos. They were very sweet and cute.

We had to leave soon after that to begin our 3hr hike to the summit. We were told that an ambulance donkey was available for anyone who needed it. I was determined not to use it!! We didn't use it but the Canadian Peter struggled with the altitude and ended up using the ambulance until camp.

The hike was tough but easier that day 1. In fact the whole day was easier. This was my favourite day with the scenery, completing the hike to the summit and playing the local children.

That night in camp, we ended up playing cards and drinking a warm traditional Peruvian rum based drink. It reminded me of mulled wine.

Day 3 we were again woken up by coca tea and the crew. Chris had had a very bad night and was sick lots during the night. It showed when he woke up that morning. He was still not well. I blame the alcohol from the night before and he blames the altitude! Our last hiking day was to be an easy 3hr downhill hike.

I had a few incidents that morning though, including being run over by one of our donkeys. Greg (Aussie) asked me to pose with the donkeys as they were coming down the path, unfortunately Greg told me to stick my head out further! Bam! There I went! Lucky for me the donkey was carrying sleeping equipment on that side. The other side happened to be a gas canister! Lucky escape! Greg was quick to shy away as I was told off by Pedro.

I also got hit by a tree branch in the face that ended up in my mouth somehow. Then ended up slipping on the rocks! I was happy that the end of the trek was nearing very soon!!!

Once we were finished the hike, our minivan was there to pick us up. We headed back to Ollantaytambo for lunch and then got the train to Agua Calientes, where we would stay the night before heading to Machu Picchu

We soon found out over dinner that people in the group thought T, Jess and I looked very young! Sixteen they said. Chris had managed to shave that evening and there were all sorts of comments about Chris looking much younger and no longer looking like a pervert!! Poor Chris!

Day 4 Machu Picchu here we come! That morning we each were given our tickets however mine had Afghanistan as my nationality!! I was worried I wasn't able to get in as it didn't match my passport! Once inside though it was amazing and lived up to ever expectation I had. In the morning it was rainy and misty but the clouds soon dispersed and the sun came out. It was perfect. It is exactly the same as the pictures you see. I enjoyed wandering around the nooks and cranies. Only problem was I felt like I needed more time there.

It has been a very intense and busy four days. I am looking forward to some much deserved R and R .

Xxxxxx