The day of the much anticipated (feared) Inca Trail arrived after a hearty meal of pasta the night before (about all the preparation I have done in the last few weeks!)
Day 1
There were 6 of us from the group who were taking the trail. We were picked up by mini bus with our duffel bag of clothes and essentials to last the next 4 days, maximum of 6kg as these were to be carried by our porters. Our first stop was Ollantaytambo where we were ambushed by people selling walking sticks, hats, water bottles, Coca Leaves etc... Without realising I had parted with my cash just incase one of these items was the key to my success or failure!
For the 6 of us we had 13 porters and a guide. The porters were unbelievable, carrying sacks of provisions and equipment weighing upto 30kg, I was kitted out in hi-spec walking boots and struggled up the slopes as they scurried past wearing only sandals. We certainly couldn´t have achieved what we did without them.
We started our first day of walking at the famous 82km, crossing the Rio Urubamba. As we did we waved to the train passengers who would be arriving at Agua Calientes within an hour (It would take us 4 days of walking before we reached that town!)
We arrived to our first camp site of Yuncachimpa at 1545hrs, the view was stunning looking down the valley. Our tents had all been put up and a cup of tea and a snack was prepared at 1700hrs. Our evening meal was at 1900hrs and could rival anything that we had eaten in retaurants so far, tasty soup and Trout and fresh vegetables to follow. We all felt truely spoilt. By 2000hrs we had all gone to bed in preparation for our hardest days walking the next morning. Sleep did not come easily and I had a restless night due to the cold and hardness off the ground. Not that I was complaining, I didn´t have to carry 30kg the next day.
Day 2
We set off walking at 0710hrs and the trail was uphill all the way, climbing to 4200m at Abra Warmiwanusqa (Dead Womans Pass) which we reached at 0945hrs, and it very nearly felt like Two Dead Womans Pass. It was an exhilarating feeling to have reached the highest point on the trail, but I knew we still had another pass to cross before or second camp. At lunch inbetween the two passes we all felt our legs stiftening, just as the rain started to pour. However fortified by another great meal we carried on and reached our second camp of Chaqiqocha by 1500hrs. Our guide Antonio (who had done the trail over 400 times seemed quite impressed by the pace we were making)
Day 3
A shorter day ahead of us along one of the most beautiful sections of the Inca Trail. After Day 2, this day felt more like a nature walk, having time to look at the amazing scenery, plants and flowers. The trail was well preserved and we were able to see many Inca sites along the way, arriving at our final camp site of Winaywayna by 1145hrs. From here were were able to explore the inca site nearby with its impressive buildings and terraces in the mountainside.
That evening before dinner we enjoyed playing cards with the porters. Another early night ready for our final day.
Day 4
A 0400hrs wake up call from the porters with a cup of hot tea, a quick breakfast and we were off to the final checkpoint arriving at 0500hrs, the first group to enter the final part of the trail when it opened at 0530hrs. We kept up a quick pace (only being passed by those who had decided to run the last few km!) We arrived at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu just before 0630hrs. Sadly the Sun Gate that day should have been called the Rain and Fog Gate! but even this could not dampen our sense of achievement. We all cracked open the beer and toasted the Inca Trail!
After realising the rain was not going to clear soon we made the last 30min walk down to Machu Picchu to meet the rest of the group who had travelled up by train.
By 0900hrs the sun had come out and Machu Picchu was revealed in all its true beauty and glory. Antonio took us on a guided tour of the site and then we were left to explore and absorb its magical atmosphere on our own. The perfect end to an amazing and unforgetable few days.
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