The 4 people in our group were met at 8.30am by our guide and 2 further travellers. We set off in a mini bus picking up on the way a cook and 6 porters to carry tents and food etc .
We arrived at the start of the Inka trail with other excited groups, most of whom were 30 years younger than me.
Crossing the Urubamba River we began walking the Inka trail . We followed the trail along the left hand side of the river, enjoying stunning views of the snow capped mount Veronica and Inka archaeological remains. We continued walking through lush farmland and woods.
By 2 pm we were relieved to arrive at our lunch stop. What we had not expected was that a tent had been erected and we were served a 3 course meal of guacamole to start with followed by soup and then trout and rice.
After lunch we resumed our trek finishing the days walking at 4.30. For five hours we had gradually climbed to our first campsite, at 3000 metres.
Afternoon tea ran into another three course meal. Soon after I went to bed exhausted.
Whilst breathing was no longer a problem the uneven and often steep pathway needed a huge level of concentration. Finally a welcome porter arrived with a sandwich and a cup of Coca tea, before sometime later I staggered cold and exhausted into camp.
Day 3 was a lot of ups and downs on very difficult paths that at times were 18 inches wide with a thousand foot drop if I slipped. All the time the lack of oxygen threatens to leave you exhausted. Your focus becomes the next step and you cannot let your mind wander for a moment on the wet uneven slippery path that sometimes climbs an unending stairway with huge steps as if built for giants. All the time porters with huge bags run by seemingly effortless.
At times it felt that we were on a journey from lord of the rings, I have few photos of the paths as I was busy walking and focusing on the net step
The path twists and turns around the mountain with strength sapping climbs and knee wrenching descents. All the time you are afraid of straining an ankle or of a nasty fall down hundreds of stairs, or worse plunging into the abyss.
The wild life is amazing we see deer drinking water and a baby deer in the grass. We came across Lama blocking the path and spend ten minutes persuading them to let us through.
After a stop for lunch we continue down coming across Inca sights before arriving at our camp site. After dinner we tip our 6 porters the chef and guide. Tomorrow is an early start
The following day we get woken up at 3.30am with a cup of coca tea. A surreal picture awaits as hundreds of porters and travellers most with head torches rush around like fire flys frantically breaking camp in the pre dawn darkness.
At 4am we join a queue to enter the park on our way to the sun-gate. Hundreds of people, many friends we have met on the journey wait in line, some reading by torchlight, others taking in the night sky, others sleeping
Suddenly at 5.30 am the gates open and we begin the walk to the sun-gate at Machu Picchu. This often pleasant walk still has difficult stairs to negotiate including the ‘gringo killer!’ an amazingly steep stairway and the final approach to the sun gate. The views are stunning and we cannot resist stopping to take photographs.
As we look up to the high mountains and down on a spectacular view of Machu Picchu it is hard to comprehend our achievement.
As we leave the sun-gate we pass day trippers coming up, they smell clean but we don’t care, we wear our unwashedness like a badge of honour. We have become close as a group in a way that only shared adversity can achieve.
Whilst I was trekking Eva took the more leisurely approach of enjoying the charms of Cusco which included undertaking a vegan cooking class, visiting museums, art galleries and enjoying the delights of Cusco markets and cafes. Taking the scenic train to Agua Calientes and subsequently a bus to Machu Picchu on day four of My epic trek. It was wonderful to meet up at the truly awesome Machu Picchu and explore it together.
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