Hospedaje Nusta Wasi Aguas Calientes

The next day Vlady & Samantha (she couldn´t do the trail either due to knee surgery) picked me up from my hotel and we took a taxi to Ollayamtambo then caught the train to Agua Calientes. The train ride was about 3 hours but really beautiful views, some of the way you can see the hikers on the beginning of the trail. Agua Calientes is really just a stopover town for people heading to Machu Picchu in the morning. We had all afternoon ...

... spectacular as we glided across the Andes towards our destination flanked by enormous snowcapped mountains. The plane took a sharp turn at Cusco before descending, hardly at all, onto the runway. We arrived about 7am and at the airport porters clambered to take our bags but they were disappointed, we carry our own bags thanks. Outside taxi drivers tried to steer us towards their taxis but we already knew that cheaper taxis were available just behind security barriers barely 10 ...

We got the hell out as fast as we could and back to the loving arms of Sonia at La Casa de mi Abuelo. We plan on relaxing in Cusco for a while and heading north, to the sun-soaked beaches of Peru's Costa Norte. We may stay for Halloween and Dia de Todos Santos, which will offer some great pictures if we do!<br>

... was a bit behind the rest of the group for the second day, he toughed through it.<br><br>The second day of hiking was much more intense and fun than our first day. Our first campsite had been at just about 3,000 m, and the highest pass of the second day would be at just over 4,200 m, giving us a hefty height to climb. Our first section took us on a snaking route through the dense, mountainous foliage, up to a clearing about an hour up. Because the morning was so cold, I wore my thermal ...

... us get up v close. Although none of them would pose in quiet the right spot for the classic postcard shot + llama.<br> At 10 it was our turn to climb up Wayna Picchu - the Colca trek must have done G some good as she shot up. If this was in the UK then you wouldn't have been allowed up, it was steep with virtually no hand rails which meant we passed a number of hysterical people with their friends telling them it would be ok and not to look down. Sadly on the way down ...

... very bouncy and wobbly suspension bridge. I let the rest of the group go first and watched them sway as they attempted to cross, my fear of heights returned and a few missed heart beats became apparent, sod it I thought and hurried across the bridge, phew I thought until I realised that I needed to go back that way and that tomorrow I would be crossing it again.<br><br>In the village we found the one shop and took a look around, it was a small space that was crammed full of ...

... ate at Hatun Runa Grill. I had ravioli del alpaca (told ya I was on an alpaca kick). We were both so hungry from all the walking - we cleaned our plates. <br><br>Sunday, another great day in MP park. Hiked up Mount MP, walked over to the Inka Bridge and around the ruins. By 4pm we were ready to call it a day. The pics will do a better job of describing the views!<br><br>We decided to hit the hot springs before dinner. This time, I ...

... br>Some History: Machu Picchu was dicovered by the American historian Hiram Bingham, a 11year old local boy let him to the sit in 1911.<br>In 1983 Machu Picchu has been delcared a world herritage side. Still today there are many unawnsered question of the creation but it says the city was build for a sanctuary of the Inca ruler. <br><br>So heute beginnt unsere Reise in den Fussstapfen der Inka's und wir beginnen den beruehmten Inka Trail. Vier Tage ...

... br><br>So back for another slap up 3 course meal, plus an extremely cheeky squirrel monkey called Poncho. Who everyone thinks is very cute until we watch in horror as he catches and eats the head of a 2 inch long cricket. Oh well, once less insect making a bloody racket while we sleep! A few more rum and cokes and it´s off to bed for another attempt at sleep and oh dear, left leg now big blister and right foot starting to grow...

It's no wonder why the Spanish couldn't find the Lost City of the Inkas: it takes at least 2 means of transport to get there, and they only had horses. There are people who do following: 1) take a plane to Lima 2) take a plane to Cusco 3) take a bus to Ollantaytambo 4) take a train to Aguas Calientes 5) take a bus to Machu Picchu, although I don't recommend it. Machu Picchu is situated almost 3000 metres over the sea level ...