Peru - Inka Trail done and dusted!

The big build up to the infamous Inca Trail certainly did not result in any sort of anti climax. It was an incredible experience. Here´s how the adventure panned out.

Machu Picchu in all its glory! 

We embarked on our grand adventure with our fellow trekkers which comprised of us and 6 other girls (4 French and 2 Danish). Aurelie was rapt to share this adventure with some fellow compatriots!

Day 1 - Trek commenced at altitude of 2,600m and the 11km which proved relatively easy and served as training for the days to follow. We got our first sight of some of the extensive Inca ruins scattered along the route. There were also great views of the Cordillera Urubamba and the snow capped peak of Mt Veronica 5860m.  At the campsite, we were treated to our first dinner. We expected quick and easy sandwiches. To our surprise, we enjoyed a sit down Peruvian feast, the first of many more to come - 'Camping Deluxe'!

Day 2 - Up at the crack of dawn, we commenced at 2,850m and winded around mountains, through valleys and up a very steep ascent Incas stairs (Aurelie was looking for a longer set of legs at one point to get up some of these stairs!) It certainly provided  a series of beautiful vistas but the never ending climbs proved extremely challenging! They say you´re meant to take it easy and pace yourself up. However Shane decided to set the pace, and Aurelie had no choice but try to keep up! Very solid 5 hour work out!! We reached a peak of 4,200m -  the highest point of the Inca Trail. Being fully exposed to the Andean elements: first scorching sun, relentless rain and the freezing winds certainly didn´t make this day any easier!

Fellow trekkers left in her wake as Aurelie reaches 4,200m summit

We finally descended to the 2nd night's campsite at Pacamayo (3,600m) where overnight we were again hit with the elements. Very, very chilly night and about an hour of sleep between us certainly ensured that Day 3 was going to be no pushover! 

Day 3 - Aurelie´s Birthday! Her day commenced with a 5am wake-up call by a random rooster making its home in the mountains. Fortunatley the weather had cleared and we started our journey which provided excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,180m) and Veronica (5,750m). We also encountered Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far. Toughest section of the day was a long, steep, slippery and irregular descent of over 1000m in altitude. Shane had a minor slip up at one stage which left him hanging on to the side of the cliff but all´s well that ends well!

After 5 hours of walking through cloud-forest, we finally made it to our campsite. To everyones surprise Aurelie was greeted with a birthday cake, made by the porters that would not be out of place in a French Boulangerie!! How the crew managed to whip this up in the middle of nowhere and with very little baking utensils and ingredients remains a mystery.

Happy Birthday Aurelie - Inca style

This surprise was definitely not included in the Inca Trail brochures but really was a very generous gesture of which Aurelie was extremely grateful!

Day 4 - We awoke at 3.30am and were on the move by 4.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky started getting light by 5:30am and the first rays of sunlight hit Machu Picchu at about 9am. Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu spread out before us in all its glory. Built sometime in the 15th century and rediscovered in 1911 by an American engineer, Machu Picchu was thought to be an estate for the Incan emperor, Pachacuti. The sheer enormity of these ruins certainly made the challenges of the previous 4 days worthwhile...phenominal experience! 

Seemingly pretty pleased to have made it to Macchu Picchu

It was then time to have a couple of celebratory drinks with our crew, who made this adventure a very special and memorable experience!

Inca crew - note the two flags in the middle!

We then immersed ourselves into the somewhat brown and smelly thermal springs of Aguas Callientes. Regardless of the odour, the legs certainly appreciated it. We spent the next day in Aguas Calientes, primarily relaxing but we did squeeze in a 2 1/2 hour trek to Mandor Paradiso Waterfall which was pretty impressive!


Fun and games continue...Next stop Puno and the islands of Lake Titicaca. We then depart Peru and on to Bolivia.

Random Peruvian Notables:

- Coca is a native Peruvian leaf that the locals seemingly live off. It is also a prime export to the U.S as it provides the basis for Coca Cola!
- Peruvian beds are made for Peruvians! At a towering 178cm, Shane´s feet hang out the end of almost every bed or tent that we´ve slept in!
- 2 to 3 star hotels cost b/w $25 - $40 USD per night
- Guinea Pig is a local delicacy cuisine
- Customary local cuisine comprises of Alpaca or Llama meat
- Quechua is a rice type product that is extremely tasty
- Currency: Peruvain Soles (2.7:1 USD)