Advertisement
Published: January 23rd 2006
Edit Blog Post
Well, i´m now in Cusco after completing the trek yesterday resulting in an amazing visit to macchu picchu.
Last time i wrote i was in Arequipa and its been none stop since. We left Arequipa for Chivay and got there early afternoon, it had been a little chilly in Arequipa but it was freezing in Chivay...total shock to the system and i think that combined with the altitude made me get a little ill. The drive to Chivay involved driving along passes as high as 5000m and the altitude affects you a little weirdly as everyone just felt really tired and lethargic. That afternoon we drove out to the colca canyon which was really good and we spotted plenty of condors which was good, didnt manage to catch any on my camera though caroline got a good one! We then went back to the freezing hotel and all sat round the fire to try to warm up. Early start the next day as we had a 13 hour trip to Cusco. I must admit i felt so ill that i slept most of the way but i needed it to get better in time for the trek. We had a free
day in Cusco then on Wednesday we started the trip. The first day was more of a sight seeing day so we went to the sacred valley and a place called sechaywoman (??spelling, it sounds like sexywoman though). From there we were taken by bus to our first camp site. It was really wet and rainy and we camped on the site of a local community school up in the hills. We didnt do the ´classic inca trail´ but followed the trail of a different inca trek and it was more of a community project so that night we went and looked round the ´home´of a local family. It was amazing to see how they live but they are so content and happy with what they have. Makes you realise that we get greedy and the more we have the more we want.
After a very chilly night we set off early on our trek. Oh my god it was so tough, the distance covered wasnt huge i dont think but its the height. The altitude means that you have to walk really slow and take baby steps, if you get out of breath its really hard to get your
puff back because you struggle to find the oxygen. The high pass we went over we got to around midday and that was at 4400m. Amazing feeling once you get to the top though. It was a bit wet that day but on the afternoon the sun came out and once we arrived at the campsite we had chance to sit by the river in the sun. It was quite a luxury as so far when we´ve camped with dragoman we put our own tents up and stuff and cook where here we had porters that did everything and fab job too with plenty of food to keep us going. That evening we helped the local community to plant some seeds which we had bought them. I had a go at digging but was useless so left it to the men and played with the local children...they are soooo cute.
Next day was the biggy. The high pass was at 4900m and there was snow at the top. It was also very wet that day so took a lot to keep the morale up, but we were all so happy to get to the top. There was a real sense
of acheivement in the group it was fab. On the evening once the mist cleared we were in an amazing spot and me and a couple of others went to watch the sun set over the valley and there was a lightening storm in the distance. Amazing! The third day was better as it was all down hill and just half a days walking. WE arrived at ollytatamba and visited the ruins and temples which was great. Stayed in a hostel that night which was luxury...first shower in 3 days, erghhh! We got up very early and got the train to macchu picchu. It was misty in the morning but i felt that made it more atmospheric. Really amazing place. Looked round then we had the option if we wanted to walk to the sun gate where you get the classic view of macchu picchu. But you could also walk up the other mountain...wannapicchu. Me and 3 others wanted to do both, so did wannapicchu first as they only let 400 people up per day. WE were warned it was steep but Oh. My. God it was hard work. Harder than any of the walking we´d done over the last
Local Children
The locals pose for photos for money. It was so funny after i took this, 4 little hands all came reaching up to me! few days. Me and Saff let the 2 boys go up first and we followed. The veiw at the top was unbelievable! Definately worth the climb the photos do it no justice. We then got back down and rushed over to the sun gate which again was hard work but we wanted to get there while the sun was still out. I was absolutely knackered, never known anything like it. We eventually got back to Cusco at 8pm after a train and bus ride and then it was out to celebrate and to say goodbye to 2 of our group as they leave the next day, one to go home and the other to make his own way to rio 😞
We had to do the 24 hr challenge i.e since we´d been up at 5.30 am we had to stay out til 5.30 am. The theme was bad taste and it was hillarious! I´ve included the photos. I made it with 4 others till 6am.
And thats it! Blimey, long entry. WE leave Cusco wednesday (today is monday i think) so time to relax until we´re of to puno and the 2nd part of the dragoman trip commences!!!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.076s; Tpl: 0.019s; cc: 9; qc: 47; dbt: 0.0257s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
ylf
non-member comment
just lov the specs
luv the specs