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Published: November 16th 2010
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Feeling both excited and apprehensive we arrived in Cusco (the base city for the Inca trail), 2 days before the start of our trek. We had heard all manner of stories about the City and were surprised to find that despite needing a T-shirt with the words 'no gracias' emblazoned on the front we actually quite liked it. True, walking down the street does feel like walking along brick lane as you are bombarded with offers of restaurants, massages, tours and information but the City is very beautiful, full of colonial architecture and regal looking plazas.
The Inca Trail itself starts from km82 near the village of Ollayantambo, so after a day spent travelling there via the Sacred Valley with our 'team' and guide Abel, we got up bright and early to begin our 4 day hike which would end in Machu Picchu, The lost City of the Incas.
Day 1 was great, hiking at over 2000m above sea level is never going to be easy but we were pleasantly surprised with how gently the first day eases you in to the trail. Over dinner that night we were told that the next day would be very satisfying as
Inca Trail
The beginning it involved an ascent to 4200m and the famous 'dead woman's pass' over the top of the mountain. Our guide then let slip that locally it is known as ''The Gringo Killer'... Great one!
Abel didn't lie, reaching the pass was incredible, but after 5 hours (yes 5 hours you read correctly), of hiking UP Inca steps your legs feel like jelly. Somehow we got through it, with motivational chant inventing and a few expletives thrown in for good measure.
The next day (day 3) we got up early (or should I say earlier- our coca tea wake up was scheduled for 5am that morning), to allow us to beat the other groups to the next mountain pass. Day 3 is the longest day on the trail with nearly 12 hours of walking, but it is also the most beautiful. You trek through the Cloud Forest and as you get nearer to Machu Picchu mountain there are more and more Inca ruins scattered around the countryside. We arrived at our campsite at 4.30 (apparently we walked fast), where we could have a hot shower (the first since the start of the trail) and a cold beer! That night we said
goodbye to our porters, (the humbling men who embarrass you by carrying all of your belongings past you on the trail while wearing sandals), and went to bed early to be fresh for the next morning's 3.30 start which would end in Machu Picchu.
The final stretch to the Sun gate was great fun as we walked as fast as we could to try to beat the other groups to the famous spot. Slowly the yellow t-shirted 'tour peru' fell puffing by the wayside as us 'Gappers' powered past them. Looking back we don't know where we found the energy! We arrived at the Sungate to mist... disappointing. But after a group photo we turned around to find the mist had lifted to reveal our first sight of Machu Picchu. Words can't describe it.
An adrenaline fuelled 30 minute trek followed (thankfully all downhill now), to bring us to the lost city. Inca Trail: done, and it was worth every second.
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CONGRATULATIONS
well done guys- sterling work and fantastic sense of pride all the way over this side of the world xxxxxxxxx