Advertisement
Published: November 10th 2007
Edit Blog Post
The Start of a Great Journey
Our group of 13 starting day 1. We did it! We conquered the Inca Trail and made it some of the most beautiful ruins we have ever seen at Machu Pichu, a lost Incan city built around 1450. The trek was a difficult four days long. Although the ruins were truly incredible, we really feel that the four day journey to the ruins was the most impressive part. When people call this a very spiritual journey, they are surely referring to the determination you find in yourself to push through this trek as well as the breathtaking ruins
Day 1 was a basic 12km hike up and down some beautiful terrain. Our group of 13 hikers got along great and was very sociable. Day 2 lived up to its hellish reputation. It was a very steep hike up to Dead Woman´s Pass and then a long steep decline down hundreds of stone steps. Most people on the trail struggled heavily as the altitude (4100M), distance, and steep steps became increasingly difficult to bear. We did not hire personal porters to carry part of our packs so the 30lb packs really tried our resolve. But we made it to camp without any problems. Day 3 was also difficult
due to the soreness from day 2 and the last part of the hike which has over 2000 ancient steps down affectionately called ¨The Gringo Killers¨. This day had some of the most amazing scenery. Day 4 brought us to Machu Pichu at about 6am (woke up at 4am) after a 2 hour uphill (and more stairs) hike.
For about two hours the whole of Machu Pichu was covered by thick fog. But later the fog lifted and we were taken on a tour of the ruins. The precision of their structures are incredible. To this day many of the wall look more structurally sound than most 1 year old homes in the U.S. It is breathtaking to hear stories and wonder about the events that must have taken place here. There still are temples where you can see stone carve outs where blood offerings were made to Pachamama (Mother Earth), homes of religious figures and average citizens, a still working sun dial, and many more awesome sites.
We have some incredible photos however our big camera takes way too long to upload photos so we´ll just have to share them when we get home.
We used
Peru Treks as our guides, highly recommended for anyone considering visiting Machu Picchu. They could not have been better. Our guide Freddy was very friendly and knowledgeable and the cook, Armando, made some of the best food we have had on our trip. They even made Jell-O in the river and we still can´t figure out how he made pizza on the trail (not exactly roughing it). They have porters who carry the tents, food, and other basic items (20 porters for 13 hikers!). You can hire an extra porter to carry your sleeping bag and other items if you choose. These guys are amazing. They carry heavier packs than anyone and literally run past all of the gringos on the trail to set up camp for when we get in. They are great people with amazing endurance that we can´t even fathom. All the foreigners have all the fancy gear like expensive packs and hiking boots, camelbacks for water, little gadgets and gizmos, and the local porters just chug on past with rubber sandals and sometimes homemade packs made from blankets and tarps! Their strength put us to shame, and it certainly made our group much more reluctant to
even discuss whatever personal aches and pains we might be experiencing.
Obviously, we are enjoying some much needed recovery, but it was worthwhile in so many ways.
Oh, and a few notes on Cusco. For any weary travelers who may be reading this and are in dire need of tasty and delicious food that won´t make your stomach cramp and cling close to a bathroom, there are two restaurants that are dynamite. Both are owned by expats who have laid down some roots here in Cusco, and they have international menus and great food and service. Jack´s Cafe Bar has wonderful breakfasts like Mango Cream pancakes and a toast tower of eggs, tomato and basil, as well great lunch and dinner options. Dos Naciones (2 Nations) is also wonderful, located on a hilly pedestrian street. This place has international food, as well as yummy twists on local fare, like an alpaca dish, and the Australian owner is super nice and helpful. And if you do get a stomach ache, 2 Nations has a fantastic chicken soup (I learned the hard way after a really nasty, frozen burger at Bembo´s....travelers beware, don´t eat their burgers!).
Advertisement
Tot: 0.046s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 14; qc: 21; dbt: 0.0254s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb