Hostal Pachacuteq Aguas Calientes

... is still in the process of excavating. Every so often in the hike we would be passed by these porters from our group and other groups, running by us carrying these huge loads wearing only sandals. Insane how fit and efficient they are! By the time we reached a campsite for lunch the porters had already set up the lunch tents and lunch was ready! We were given a cup of tea, a bowl of soup and a plate of chicken or fish with rice and veggies each day for ...

... could by entrance tickets for Machu Picchu tomorrow, we still did not have them and we had come so far to be beaten at the last hurdle. My birthday was tomorrow and I was keen to celebrate it in the ruins. I needn't have been so anxious, a few directions to the tourist centre in town and we were second in the queue, there was plenty of availability. <br><br>It was about then that I had time to glance around at this strange little village, it was no ordinary town, almost shanty ...

... and mountain-fed streams could do little to distract her from the pain in her feet, although the mosquitos and biting-gnats did their best anyway.<br><br>Small trickles between rocks grew into streams, streams into rivers, and rivers into thundering rapids that crashed between the boulders at the canyon's distant bottom, constantly letting us know we were still far from the end of our trek. We ...

... I am so thankful for the support I was given that day, Dee, Ruth and the rest of the group were brilliant. I would not have completed the trek had they not have given me the strength and encouragement.<br><br>After I had received some treatment from Ruth, the group all went out on the celebratory gala meal, they all had a great time, I am pleased that they did. Me, I stayed in bed, called home, and fell asleep.<br><br>I don't remember arriving at Machu Picchu ...

... small lunch (8 soles for a piece of stale bread, pad of butter, glass of orange juice, and some coca leaves in hot water.. bah), and a few extra supplies for the trip: a walking stick and some charcoal with which to chew my coca leaves (apparently the charcoal activates some of the coca alkaloids). Once we were all ready, we drove about 45 minutes to the start of the trail. After getting all of our passports stamped and tickets checked, we made our way onto the trail, and started out with ...

... left us in their dust and drank and smoked ALL OF THE TIME. Not my idea of a good time after a day of getting my ass handed to me by mother nature.)<br><br>The majority of the hike was along a dirt road leading to the base camp of Soraypampa. We switched between walking the cliffside gravel and huffing up shortcuts between switchbacks. The views were incredible, richer with every turn, and we saw a very happy looking pig at one point. The ...

... her wares. A nice way to cap off day 1 of trekking!<br><br>After a quick bath in the provided tub of hot water, we are off to dinner in the meal tent. The food is awesome - as usual - and our 2 dedicated cooks do a great job.<br><br>The early indications are that the group, who have coalesced quite well, would be into some card playing fell victim to fatigue. It was a long trek today, and so lights out at 9pm. No kidding....<br>

So, we awake feeling all fresh and clean and after counting our new bites we discuss our plan for the day with Jimmy. He explains that we have a flat walk today (horray!) and that we will arrive at our hostal that evening in Aguas Caliente, the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu. He also explained we will get our first sighting of Machu Picchu today, which we all get excited about and provides us with a burst of energy to pack up our tents and move on.<br><br>Thw temperature ...

... feeling of relief that we´ve managed it. Then we descend down the opposite side of the mountan to our First campsite at Huayracmachay (3750m). On route we spy a few chichillas, wild turkeys and a few other birds. Then camp is set up and we settle in for the evening. A few ghost stories from Jaime, about the magic man who prowls the andeas and attacks by cutting out the fat of your abdomen and leaving you to die. Plus a warning about not wondering alone and ...