Inca Trail & Machu Picchu, Peru

Hurrah, the day has arrived for what we´ve all been waiting for, the start of the Inca Trail. The day started off at a reasonably hour 7.45am, when we took the bus to KM82. From here the hike was a gentle stroll walking along the River Urubamba before stopping at our 1st archeological site in Llactapata. The following 2 hours was uphill all the way to lunch in Wayllabamba which was the first test. Now, there were no worries about not being fed on the Inca Trail, our very own chef cooked up a feast each day, with breakfast and 2 3-course meals to keep our strength up. After lunch, we experienced our first test with an hour worth of a steep incline, this stretch made me realise that altitude sickness was setting in as the energy in my legs felt as though it had been zapped. Still, the moto for the trail is ´slowly slowly´ as without fail you will reach the intended destination which for us was our 1st campsite for the night - situated 3,300 metres above sea level.

Day 2 started with a 5am wake up call, and was to be the most challenging day of them all. The morning consisted of a 4 hour steep uphill trek to reach Dead Womans Pass, this was to be an incline of 900 metres. The 1st 2 hours were ok, however, the 2nd half was the struggle - at 3,800 metres I felt the altitude sickness, with dizzy spells, sickness and again just no energy. I always knew I was going to make it to the top of the pass and ´slowly, slowly´ again did the trick. Once I reached the top - 4,200 metres above sea level (the highest altitude of the whole trek), the views were amazing and just made the gruelling few hours worth it. Day 2 was the longest day, and so after lunch we had an hour and a half of downhill, which although much easier it is very tiring as you are clambering down steep steps and cobbles which is pretty harsh on the legs. The Runkuraqay High Pass was soon to follow which luckily was at lower altitude (3,800 metres)and I could immediatey feel myself get much stronger. The descent down to our 2nd campsite was truely amazing, the scenery was breathtaking with huge montains, a river winding itself round the valley and mountains, plus great thick cloud making its way over to create a view that cannot be explained. A 6am start the next day so needless to say we were all tucked up in our tents by 8pm.

Day 3 was the easiest day with only a 20 minute trek uphill before a more gentle walk for the next 2 hours. Today we were to reach our 3rd pass Phuyupatamarca, however, the whole morning was cloudy and so the view at this point was obscured. Not too disappointing as we were grateful for the weather the day before. An early finish on day 3 which meant we were at our next campsite by 12.30pm. The afternoon was for relaxation, recharge of camera batteries and a couple of well earned beers! We had finally reached the end of the trail... what an achievement!

Our wake up call for the final day was 3.45am, surprisely enough everyone was upbeat and full of energy, springing out of our sleeping bags... why? Well, today we were walking to Machu Picchu - our goal! All tour groups sleep at the same campsite on the final night and so it was a race to get to the check point to make sure we were the 1st group to reach the Sun Gate! Fleeces on, torches flashing we made it to the check point and were 1st in queue - well done us! After a 50 minute trek we reach Sun Gate around 6.15am to see the 1st glimpse of one of the most magnificent sites in South America, if not the whole world. We were overlooking Machu Picchu with the sun shining down on it - after a few high 5s and many photos we walked a further 30 minutes down to the site. Although very tired, everyone was running on pure adrenalin and couldn´t wait to get a close up look of this historical site.

Our group, Nadia, Gareth, Tom, Matt, Lynsey, Andy, Tracey, Matt, Martin, Ram, Sushell
and our wonderful guide Percy had spent the last 4 days walking through some of the most beautiful highlands, made new friends, achieved personal challenges and were rewarded with one of the most phenomenal sites I have ever laid my eyes on. Percy educated us with the history of his ancestors, a lot of information to remember but what I will never forget is the experience and the feeling of finally reaching our destination and being presented with something very special. BIG thanks goes to the whole group who were great people to share the experience with, your encouragement and banter throughout the trip was fantastic!

Some words of advice of anyone thinking of going to Peru and Machu Picchu... do the Inca Trail if you are fit enough to get the true experience. No train ride from Aguas Calientes will ever do it justice!