The start of our four day trek was low key as we meandered along the Urubamba river to our lunch site. The food is one of the clear highlights of the trail and we were not disappointed as we were waited on by our porters with a seemingly endless supply of tremendous tucker. And if I thought I was a fit young man these porters put me to shame as they danced along the track at break neck speed in their sandals with 25kg strapped to their back.
After lunch on the first day we climbed to a campsite at 3800m - the same height as NZs heighest point: Mount Cook. Unfortunately Gabrielle suffered from a mystery stomach bug - something that filthy, smelly squat toilets and below freezing temparatures did not assist in curing. Thankfully in the morning, with the aid of Gatorade and some pills from our guide, she made it to the first pass of 4200m.
From there we made our way over two smaller passes over two days as we descended into Aguas Calientes for a well deserved soak in the hot springs. The trail was challenging but there were plenty of snow capped mountains, strange trees and colourful flowers to distract my attention from the stone pathway. Luckily, none of my uncoordinated trips proved fatal.
We walked the final 3 kms along the railway track to Aguas Calientes - I felt like I was in a scene of Stand by Me as we had to jump off the trail to avoid trains plenty of times. We also watched a giant male wasp paralyse a taranchala and them drag it off the trail to where his female partner was waiting - brilliant!
On the fourth day we rose at 4am to climb the final 350m to the famed Machu Picchu. And it really was breathtaking in every way.
We climbed the 250m to Wayanpicchu (the very steep hill in the background of the signature photo of Machu Picchu). It was very hard work and Im sure the steps were not designed for size 13 Merryl shoes. But the views from the top were worth it and really hammered home how amazing it is that a city this precise could be built here over 500 years ago.
No comments:
Post a Comment