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Published: October 27th 2005
Day 1
We were picked up and loaded on a bus where we met the rest of the group trekking with us. All seemed very nice. There were the Canadians, 4 Germans, 2 Dutch, 5 Puerto-ricans and a guy from Uragauy ( who got very excited when he found out we were Australian because of the world cup play off and we have to play them next month)
We stopped in a town to get some supplies ie water, walking poles, before we started our walk. then we began we first had to pass a check-point.
This is because they have a set number (500) of people allowed on the trail at any time. You usually need to register in advance and give your passport details. We had done this a couple of months ago. However in the meantime Matt has got a new passport (his old one was full....) with a new number. The officials only had his old number and were not happy. One of the Puerto-Rican guys had recently had his stolen so he also had a new number. The way the officals carried on you would think these guys were terrorists. they were not letting
them in. Matt had less trouble getting into the UK then onto the trail! Our guide was arguing with them pointing out that all the info was the same bar the number and you could see the issue date showing it was new. The guide (Fernando) told us just to start walking, so we did, a bit apprehensive without Matt´s passport but soon enough there was Fernando with the passport.
The first day walk was easy enough, through farmland and by the river. The main problem was the rain! it was pretty wet and when Fernando stopped us to look at a site i have to admit wasn´t too interested as it was really pouring at this point! Lunch was the first experience with the food we were to be getting on the trail and boy were we all very impressed! 3 really yummy huge courses. Of course we couldn´t walk after that!
That evening we camped and tried to get dry. It was also the first time we all got to meet each other properly. Everyone was really nice. Most of us were around the same age with a few older people. Rob & Jason (the Canadian
brothers) certainly kept us entertained. There was also Maryke & Pascal (Dutch) who also very friendly and funny. Particularly like Maryke as we were both very unsure about the following day which was supposed to be the hardest!!
Day 2
Up early - not that it is a problem as you are in bed really early too! It is dark at 6pm and there is not a whole lot to do! Also pretty tired from the walk. And it seemed not to be raining (Yay!) we had dicussed the previous night that the ideal weather would be very light misty showers to keep you cool but nice with not to much sun beating down on you. We were in luck and got that weather!! But the first news of the day was that we were already down a person. One of the Puerto-ricans was sick (food poisoning) and had to go back via donkey.
Off we started and yes it was hard. Uphill.. we needed to pass the dead womans pass at 4200m... not only were you going up but at that altitude it is extra hard as it does effect your breathing etc. Anyway up we
1st Pass
Our group at Dead Womans passwent and while hard it could have been worse. The scenery was amazing and kept changing. What was really odd was how like the Aussie bush it was. There was gum trees and black boys and other grass plants very similar to home. It is sub tropical despite not feeling like it. at 3800m we had lunch and we were all pretty happy for the rest. Again alot of yummy food ( thought i was going to loose weight on this part!!) but was good and had learned my lesson to eat only a little. It was at this stage we also lost another 4 - the rest of the puerto-ricans pulled out. they had only been in peru a few days and had underestimated the trail and the effect of altitude.
The rest of us treked on and later we finally reached the peak!!!YAY!!!! While the worst was over we still had to go down then up over another peak, but then finally it was all down. Was very happy at this stage!!
The walk was very cool though, just looking over at other peaks, looking up at clouds then going through them, then finally looking down at
the clouds and over valleys. truely amazing.
That night we camped on the side of the mountain overlooking peaks and valleys (couldn´t really see down due to the clouds) and that night when we left the communal tent was the most spectacular skies i have seen. It was absolutely full of stars. They were everywhere and as we looked up a star shot accross the sky. Then as we gazed down we looked over the peaks and slightly below us the valley was filled with clouds. It looked amazing - it seemed that it was a white sheet draped over something and you could just reach out and touch it. It was one of the most amazing, beautiful things we have seen and i will definitely remember it.
Day 3
Well with the worst behind us (we hoped that did keep saying today was unforgetable and Maryke and I were very worried what exactly that meant.... We started of and it once again was a great walk. The weather was great and the scenery fantastic. We did have to go up and over one last pass but it wasn´t too difficult (in relation to what we had
us
again - looking pretty happy with ourselves!! already done of course!!). Again we walked through so much different scenery - barren land to rainforest with gorgeous flowers and ferns and moss covered trees. Then of course was the height we were out so overlooking the valleys and the river was gorgeous.
Also along the way we stopped and looked at a few more inka sites. Fernando was fantastic in explaining things and what to look for and the different ways buildings were built and what they were used for.
Once you got to the last pass you look down over the sacred valle and can see a town - the first civilisation for days!!! You also can see the mountain that Machu Picchu is on but can´t actually see the site.
the last part of this walk was down which was great but still hard on you, espec those with back/knee problems. There are some giant steps and it is steep so it isn´t easy. The last part is sand so thankfully it wasn´t raining otherwise we would have been sliding down.
At the last campsite we were able to shower and such, but have to admit most didn´t by this stage it
matt
2nd day on the trail just doesn´t seem woth it, and also the showers are being used by so many that we all pretty much figured one extra day would not hurt!
Day 4
Well this is it - the last day. You get up early to head to the check point so you can get through and head to the Sun Gate for sunrise. So off we went. Now I am sure Fernando said it was down hill, but if he did he lied. you go down a little (again very steep)but then it is uphill again!! So there i was about to die again when we finally made it to the Sun Gate. Though Fog Gate would have been a better name. You could not see Machu Picchu at all. In fact we could only see a little way down the terracing!
So we waited a bit and the other groups moved on. We started to make our way towards Machu Picchu when someone had noticed the fog had cleared and you could see a bit of Machu Picchu. So we stood around taking photos and watched as the fog cleared and Machu Picchu was revealed. It was spectacular and worth every
campsite
2nd night, view from out front of our tent (Maryke & Pascal down the front) bit of effort, It was amazing watching it appear from behind the fog and i´m glad we didn´t rush down so we could get such a great overview. Very very beautiful. We wandered down to it and had a quick wander, but we needed to go down to the front of the site and go in the official entrance ( a bit strange as we were already in the site!)
We were given some free time to go the bathroom grab something to eat etc etc. While we were waiting who should turn up? the Puerto-Ricans. All better now and they had caught the train up to spend the last day with us!!(only much much cleaner and nicer smelling then we were!)
So off we went through the entrance but it had obviously had all gone too well as once more we had a problem with the passport... We all went in and waited on the other side while Matt & Angelo´s passport issues were being sorted. A little while later Angelo came through but no Matt. A little later William (the assistant guide) came through saying Matt wasn´t coming... Well I´m sure most of you would have
Matt
his regular pose throughout the trek... known my reaction to that! So i went back, with William telling me to keep going with the tour. Now why would I do that when Matt wasn´t there to do it with me and especially that this is what he wanted to do!! So back I marched. Fernando was sitting outside the office going on how the manager had told him he couldn´t guide ( a job he has done for 10 years. He is 46 and has plans to do this to he his 50 - he is pretty amazing) the manager had only been there for 2 months. So into the office I went to see what was the problem and why in 1 hour it still hadn´t been rectified.
Matt was in the office with the manager and 4 police. Matt was standing ther looking very confused and no-one talking to him. The manager was going off. From what I could work out it was mainly about Fernando. Finally the police left and Matt asked the manager several times whether he could go in and what was happening. The manager just kept saying your guide! your guide! so out we went to Fernando.
It turns
Fernando
our guide (yes the one Matt got in trouble!) out the manager had put in a offical complaint about Fernando and how he had argued in regards to the passports. This now meant he could not go in the site or guide. Fernando had to now go to the police station and put in a counter complaint re the abuse he had got from the manager. Matt offered to go with him as a witness which Fernando was very grateful for. I had to go back in a take photos for Matt.
So back in I went not very happy and also having to find my group - the site is big and not flat... I found them and started taking photos trying to listen to William but not too happy. then suddenly Matt appeared. Well poor William, no one was listening as we were all cheering Matt. Turned out that he had been allowed to come in but no one had let us know. Fernando had told him to wait till later to go to the police and go in. So we got to see Machu Picchu together!!!
the site was amazing and well worth it. But what made it even more worth it was
the people we met. We were a really good group in personality wise and fitness (we pretty much kept together and didn´t have to wait huge amounts for anyone). Everyone got on brilliantly (which does worry me - i have a theory that every group has someone they complain about and find annoying - if no one is does that mean it was me?!) and we made some great friends from it. I know we will keep in touch with Rob & Jason, and as Maryke & Pascal are going the same way as us I am sure we will be spending more time with them. So thank to those on the tour, it was definitely one of the best things we have done and that was not only due to what we saw but meeting you all
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DARA
non-member comment
lucky you
i DONT KNOW YOU BUT i BET THAT was ONE OF THE MOST AMAZiNG TRiPS EVER...THAT iS WHERE i WANT TO BE MORE THAN ANYTHiNG