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Published: October 10th 2006
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Us trying to take it all in
There is nothing really we can say except the pictures do not do it justice. Well we had packed our 5kilos allowed on the trail and we had travelled the hour to the start of the trail from Ollywantachambo (not spelt correctly sorry!!) We picked up our day sacks and visited the last decent toilets for 5 days (we´d had our last shower at 5am that morning) We went through the strict passport checks. (If your passport number doesn´t match the number on your prebooked ticket then you are not allowed onto the trail!) When we arrived one of our group realised they had left their passport at the hostel under his pillow and so he had to head back to collect it (men hey!!!) The first of the 48km to macchu picchu had begun!
The inca city of Macchu Picchu was a secret and sacred city that only the nobles knew about. The incas performed the 48 km pilgramage to visit the city. This was the route we were to take. It would take 3.5 days and we would visit other inca ruins on the way. It was the only inca city not found and destroyed by the Spanish in the 16th century.
Day 1:
We had 4.5hrs walking today from the
start to our first campsite. We visited some Inca ruins and our tour guide"julio" (hysterical, reminded us all of Borat!) explained some of the Inca history to us. We were taking it easy today due to the altitude. We covered 8.5km in total and it was generally ok. When we started to gradually ascend you really noticed the altitude, our breath was short and it was more difficult to breath in a rhythm. We stopped for lunch and were amazed at what our porters had made for all 33 of us. We had soup followed by al-paca with chips,rice, vegetables and tea or coffee. The porters carry 20 kilos each and run ahead of you to set up lunch and camp. Even though they had cooked us a large lunch they still overtook us in their sandals and had set up our tents and started afternoon tea (?!? I know!! Hot chocolate, biscuits and popcorn!) by the time we arrived at camp at 4pm. On route we had seen some amazing scenery and truly spectacular views of the andes but nothing compared today 2 or 3. We were amazed when we reached our campsite. A run down field by a
last supper
before inca trail!!!! duh duh duhhhhh small house with pigs and chickens running around freely. There was a small window in the side of this andean house with the words "Shopping Centr - We accept Visa, mastercard!" in the middle on nowhere!!! After a 3 course dinner we headed to bed. Day 2 was to be the toughest of the lot - Dead woman´s pass!!
Day 2:
We got up early for breakfast and left at 7am. We were told to prepare ourselves for a hard day. We were going to climb 1700m to dead womans pass. It would take 8hrs (to camp) and we weren´t going to stop for food until we reached our camp at the end. The boys went ahead and a group of 4 of us girls stuck together.
Becky can honestly say that the climb was the hardest thing I have done physically and emotionally. At times you felt like you were going to be sick and you also felt dizzy and couldn´t breath in rhythm.
Due to the altitude at points you were walking 3 or 4 metres and having to stop for a break. We both found it hard but it was definetly worth it.
Mike reached the top of dead woman´s pass in 2hrs 55mins and becky followed at 4hrs 20mins (a good time apparently and us girls were not at the back!!!) On the way up to try and combat the altitude sickness becky resorted to chewing coca leaves! (they actually worked well and the nausea and dizziness stopped temporarily.) Everyone found it really tough. There were tears from some (not us!!). When we all reached dead woman´s pass we had a group photo and Julio played "we are the champions" through his loud speakers. We descended quickly to camp and were greated by an amazing view and a well deserved lunch!!!
Day 3:
Today we had 2 passes to climb. The views were amazing. We visited 2 different Inca ruins and learnt some more about the history. The trail was narrow in places with sheer drops. We walked through a more vegetative and lush environment almost like a rainforest. It was amazing being so far removed from civilization. You are surrounded by mountains, there is no noise and hardly any other people. It was fantastic. It was near the end of that day we saw macchu picchu mountain with the
Lunch!!
Yummy 3 course lunch from the porters rainbow inca flag flying at the summit. This afternoon we had to descend 3000 steps to camp. The final hour really dragged, knees were hurting and every corner you turned you believed you were at camp. We all arrived at camp excited. They had beer and showers!!! We were exhausted, dirty and smelly but still smiling!!
Day 4:
Today we woke at 3.30am and had a quick breakfast. We rushed to the checkpoint to be first inline when it opened at 5am. The plan was to get to the sungate in time for sunrise over the andes and Macchu Picchu. Spirits were high until just as we left the checkpoint (first we might add!!) it started to pour with rain. Even with rain macks and plastic ponchos we were still soaked through when we reached the sungate 1hr later. We were even more unimpressed when we arrived there and you could see nothing. The rain had kept the mist hanging low. We were not happy. We pushed onto Macchu Picchu another hour down the trail. When we arrived the mist hung over the city and we were now shivering and even our underwear was wet. We sheltered under
an umbrella and tried to warm up before Julio´s tour of the city. Just as the tour began the mist rose and the view was amazing. Definetly worth all the pain and trekking. We completed our tour and split up for two hours on our own. Mike and some of the others set off to climb Waynapicchu another 300m´s up with amazing views. Becky ducked out when she heard you had to sign out of Macchu picchu city and sign a register to say that you were no longer in the city (incase you fell off the mountain!!) It was a steep climb (ropes to pull yourself up) and you scrambled on your hands and knees but the view was amazing. You were perched on a rock at the top - there was no platform. We left Macchu Picchu early afternoon and headed back to Cusco on the train, relieved, happy, tired and aching but overall thrilled that we completed the inca trail. The beers on the train home were greatfully recieved!!!
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hannah
non-member comment
becky, r u sure they didnt fly u up there in a helicoptor..or did mike carry u?! That pic of the two of u with the "steps" behind u can surely not be something u've just walked up...i thought u found it hard to walk further than the car?!Good work!!miss u both xxx