Blogs from Inca Trail, Cusco, Peru, South America - page 3

nach einer nacht im zelt, in unseren brandneuen schlafsäcken (ein wagnis - man weiß schließlich nie, ob die komfort-zone temperaturangaben so stimmen!) und unter der peruanischen milchstraße, werden wir mit heißem tee und warmem waschwasser geweckt. was für ein luxus! nach reichlich kohlehydrat-frühstück werden 400 höhenmeter auf den höchsten pass des inka-trail, den dead woman pass oder abra warmiwañusca, zurückgelegt. hier opfern wir coca-blätter und rum - an pachamama - für eine sichere reise. anschließend 700m hinunter, 400m hinauf und wieder 400m bergab zur camp site. arriba-abajo-arriba-abajo! auf den originalen steinen wandernd legen wir viele höhenmeter zurück in der zauberhaften berglandschaft der anden. über uns kreisen habichte und weiter unten, in den subtropischen wäldern, wimmelt es nur so von blitzblauen kolibris. an den hohen passstücken ist auch das gras hoch, hart und... read more

After our routine morning delivery of coca tea to our tent, we packed up our stuff for another day. The morning sunrise cannot be expressed in words!! "Having made it over the 2 passes yesterday we're now treated to a relaxing day through some of the most beautiful scenery the Inca Trail has to offer. With a relatively short distance to cover along what is known as Inca Flat (gentle ascents and descents) we get to enjoy the lush and verdant cloud forest around us and the spectacular views of the Andes in the distance. With visits to 2 Inca sites (Phuyupatamarca and Winay Wayna) this is by far one of the most impressive days of the trek. Our campsite for tonight is at Winay Wayna (2680m / 8792ft) which we will arrive to be early ... read more

Our "bucket list" adventure trip begins... This is our first attempt at posting a travel blog so we'll see how it goes with both our motivation and wi-fi availability! We started our journey this morning when our friend, Ginna Naylor, took us to BWI for our flight to Lima, Peru via Newark. We have a full itinerary planned including Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Cusco, the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Puno, Lake Titicaca, and finally, Iquitos and the Amazon Basin. We made it to Newark on one of the bumpiest flights we've ever experienced. Happy to be grounded for a few hours! Dave is having some back issues so the next 8-hour flight could be interesting. ... read more

Day 52 is day 3 of the Inca trail. A 6 am wake-up tea again after a reasonable sleep in freezing conditions for a 7.20 am start for a less intense day covering 11 kms to Winaywayna base camp. The early start is to allow us to reach camp by lunch time & after a rest inspect the spectacular nearby Winay Wayna ('Forever Young')ruins. We started with a trek over the third pass to the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the 'Town above the Clouds', at 3,600 mtrs. This is another unique micro climate system known as the cloud forest that is almost continuously in cloud & fog & creates moist & humid conditions that is the perfect environment for moss, lichen & flowers to thrive including numerous types of orchids. Incas considered orchids the nicest flower ... read more

Day 50 is day 1 of the Inca Trail. By reputation the Inca Trail is by far the most famous trek in South America. In just 39 km it manages to combine beautiful mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and, of course, a stunning mix of Inca paving stones, ruins and tunnels. The final destination of the trail just cannot be beaten: Machu Picchu, the mysterious "Lost City of the Incas". We are excited to see how this reputation stands up but nervous as well to know if we have under-estimated the difficulty or susceptible to altitude sickness . Having stored the bulk of our luggage in Cuzco minimal clothing and sleeping gear is transferred into a small duffle bag for the next four days and carried by a team of porters with food and equipment ... read more