Cusco and Inca Trail, Plus Pics

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After arriving in Cusco and looking around the city, i met a friend called Patty with whom we had a great time.

On Thursday i began the Inca Trail. I packed a full backpack that weighed around 15kgs along with a sleeping bag and travel matress. I hooked up with a group of 20. However as i booked with a different company i had my own tour guide, Rossi. She was fantastic and we got to walk at our own pace without having to wait for the others. When we arrived at particular camp sites for lunch, dinner and over night i re-united with the big group, it was great fun.

The walk Thursday was fairly easy, we started at what is called Km82 with only 6 hours walking in the afternoon and seeing some great sites. I was amazed to see people living in the jungle, miles from anywhere, children with bearly any knowledge of the outside world. Disbelief!!

The camps were great, we had a tent each and the Chaskis carried everything with regards to the camp and food. These men were incredible. They are poor people who work for next to nothing yet trek the inca trail with 25/30 kgs of equipment on their back, wearing what is nothing on their feet but sandals. They run past, in such dangerous conditions. It is a job that is inspiring to anyone. No Englishman would happily take their job.

Most of my group in camp were Argentinian, but i made good friends with 3 Dutch and 2 Germans. Who all spoke in English and we had an amazing laugh. Certainly made some friends for life. We certainly made the experience memorable with the games played.

The second day was extremely hard as we climbed 4200m above sea level. It took 7 hours, for some 13!! It was the hardest experience of my life as the altitude and lack of oxygen took it out of everybody.

The 3rd day as far as the walk goes was easy and definitely had the best scenery, but the rain marred the day as everything everyone had was soaked through. Everyone was relieved to reach camp.

On the final day we reached Macchu Picchu to see the sunrise over the architechture. It was beautiful, we woke up at 4am to achieve this. We as a group had completed the inca trail and it was such an achievement. It was the best thing i have done, by a long mile. Yet so difficult in places.

After Macchu Picchu i changed my train time to reach Cusco earlier to have some spare time before my flight to Lima. However a giant land slide had delayed the trains for 9 hours, so changing my time was extremely important as if i had left later i would have missed my flight. Everyone on the train was gutted, but luckily i recognised some guys from the trail on the same train and we had no option but to buy some beers. There is no way out of Macchu Piccu other than train, so no option for other transport. It turned out to be one of those 'random night' i will never ever forget.

I eventually got to Cusco to literally collect my things and hit the airport to return to Lima, where i was greeted by everyone with open arms, it felt like i had been away forever. Sister Lucy also made my favourite Peruvian food and the girls had made me a load of ice cream. I dont want to leave. But now this is my final week. I have a few tricks up my sleeve with regards to plans but now is time for volleyball and tomorrow coaching in the shanty towns.

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Photos

Final morning.
This is the view of Macchu Picchu from the gateway after finishing the Trek. No words or photos can describe the view, you cant beat the human eye. However, the clouds here were too much for the camera.