Peru - Tell your story walking

It was time to start our trek, the whole reason we had come to Peru.
A rag tag bunch from all over the world formed our group, Sweden, England, American, Canadian, Japan, Switzerland, Ireland, of course Australia and our guides from Peru. It was a combination of back packers, lone adventurers and a few couples thrown in.

Heading off on a fine morning at starting point of kilometer 82 (the trail actually starts right at Cuzco but most treks start at this point or slightly further along) we left our bags for our porters and began the walk.
We had 14 trekker's, 3 guides, 2 chefs and 20 porters to carry the food tents and the remainder of our stuff.

We certainly were aware that we would be walking for the next few days, and it would be difficult at times due to the altitude. When they showed us the map it became clearer that we would be doing some serious climbing at times as the trail wound its way through the Andean mountains.

Day 1 would see an easy start dropping 1,000ft and then climbing camp at 10,000ft. We were blessed with a fine sunny day that saw most of us sweating while we carried our day packs. The porters didn't blink as they sprinted ahead with their 25kg load. The porters used to be unregulated and would carry 60-80kg each, wearing sandals which are made from recycled car tyres that last about 5 years. These guys were amazing the whole trip.

Camp set up for us each afternoon.

We would be woken up each day with a hot drink of our choice at 530am, warm water to wash and a hot breakfast shortly after. Once we had set off for the day, the porters would pack our sleeping bags, tents, dining and cooking tents all into their packs and over take us some where along the trail two hours later.
By the time we made the lunch camp, the dining and cooking tents would be erected and a hot lunch ready for us to eat before an afternoon siesta. Again once we set off they would over take us and have our night camp site ready for us.
All of this while carrying 5-6 times more then each of us. I was certainly grateful for this when the steeper steps were upon us. Some different groups had less porters which obviously saves money but means they need to carry more them selves.

The food was simple but great the whole trek, dont ask me how they managed to bake a cake with portable camping equipment.

Day 2 Looked to be the hardest day. From camp we would climb over 4000 vertical feet to dead woman's pass at 13780ft high, then descend 3000ft on the other side of the highest point in our trek. This would be done with no lunch break expecting to arrive at night camp by 2pm. It was explained to us that if we stoped some where along the trail at altitude for lunch, most of us would end up with our lunch "outside" once we started walking again.
The going was slow for sure, the low oxygen meant that after only a few steps you were out of breath, every person was just plodding one foot in front of the other. While difficult it was not impossible and after a while you were in a rhythm and progress steadily ate into the climb.

Dead woman's pass 14000ft or 4200m

The second day had stretched the group out, one person had quit after day 1, another was sick and few others had slowed right down. We were certainly glad that we had continued some fitness training over Christmas.
After only 5 hours of walking we had competed the 4000 ft vertical hike. Now being acclimatised to the altitude it didn't seem so bad. Climbing that sort of distance at sea level would have been hard work.
I (Ads) have to comment though, the 3x20 yearolds from England managed to do the trek at an amazing pace and in most sections were still talking the whole way up, how I don't know. Ohh to be 20 again.

While we looked forward to the downhill, its still no walk in the park. The steps were steep and formed from rocks found in the area. It was hard on the knees and legs but at least it wasn't as breathless as the way up.

Though tired we charged on towards camp, keen for the food and rest. We arrived in camp in good time and promptly fell asleep while lunch was still being prepared in time for the whole groups arrival.



The mountains were amazing when you stopped for a breather.

Day 3 saw us having to make another climb to our last high pass. It was still 2000 vertical feet climb but on this day we both felt stronger then ever after walking 2 days already. We made great time and really enjoyed the walking on this day, we had plenty of energy and breath to take in the surroundings and absolutely bounded down the steep decent at the end of the day towards camp. At this camp site there was a small cafe which also sold beers (at an exorbitant mark up, captive audience I guess) which we enjoyed upon arrival at the camp. We even had the option to take a longer route which would take us past some more ruins, and gave us a spectacular view of the valley, campsite and river below.

The final day was a few hours walk before arriving at Machu Pichu. As the porters had to pack up tents and then walk 6kms to catch an early returning train, we had to be up and out early, 345am. Heading out at 430am we had to wait at the checkpoint onto the trail which didn't open til 530. This was due to many people going on the trail early to catch the sunrise and multiple deaths in the past due to the narrow path being negotiated in the dark.
The walk along the trail was in drizzle and half light due to cloud cover, the energy was gone today, and we just plodded along in the mud and wet knowing we were nearly there.

Even the lamas didnt seem too impressed with the rain.

We had been blessed with clear days until now, and unfortunately our views of the ruins from afar were clouded in. It certainly dampened the mood of all being wet and cold and tired from the early start.
Plodding along we arrived at the Ancient Inca city at about 730am. The tourists had already started arriving by bus ( the easy route) and we were keen for a coffee and a rest for some now weary legs.

The good news, the clouds started lifting not long after arriving at Machu Pichu, more of that in the next update.