Machupicchu, Peru
At 4.30 am, we got picked up at the square with the old church. Dark as it was, a guy came with a note with our names and hurried us down the next road so we could get the others who had booked for the same adventure. We ended up being a team of 18 from different countries.
Breakfast was at a small farm, an hour from where we would start our trek. Here we opened our Breakfast-bags our kind receptionist had packed for us, and with a sandwich, a passionfruit, a juice box, and a chocolate biscuit, we found a spot to sit an enjoy with the wild dogs sending longing looks at us, hoping for some leftovers. There also was a very eager puppy.
The Journey Begins
The rest of the drive was up the mountain. We had the most beautiful view over the valley, driving up. We stopped in the middle of nowhere, but there were horses and a small toilet. We got acquainted with the rest of the group and our guides, Willy and Ruben. They were great, giving us details of what was to come and naming us the Ruben Group. Up the mountains, we went with horsemen, chefs, guides, and hikers. The trip began.
The trek went through two mountain passes and one up to an altitude of 4600 meters. On the first day, we walked 12 kilometers to our first huts; we were gladly surprised it was huts since both of us thought it was tents. Here we had lunch, soup, and rice. The afternoon went by going up to Humantay Lagoon, located at an altitude of 4220 meters; it’s crazy how your lung suffer. I felt like a chain smoker, constantly taking a break to catch my breath. Dreading tomorrow… it was worth it, though! The Lagoon was so beautiful! It was located between two steep hills with a view of Humantay mountain, with glaciers covering the cracks. The day ended with playing some songs on my ukulele with joy and great conversation.
Out of breath, literally and figuratively
They woke us up at 5 in the morning with coca tea and half an hour to get ready. With barley coffee, white bread, and jam in our stomachs, we journeyed up on the Gringo Killer, the snake path… harder than the day before, but we made it up; I don’t think I’ve ever had such a strenuous hike! But we made it up to the Salkantay path. Unfortunately, it was cloudy, but it felt great to conquer the mountain and finally walk downwards! We spent the second night in jungle huds on the edge of the rainforest. Every evening and lunch, it was soup and then the main course. The soup consisted of potato soup with semolina, pasta, or bulgur. And the main course with rice, meat, and some vegetables. I think I’ve had enough soup for the next year… this day, we walked 26 km.
The rainforest was gorgeous and so mysterious, with the fog hanging on the mountain like drapes and all different colors of green. Today was 18 km, so a lot more bearable, and it was mostly downhill. On the way, we also walked along mountainsides along a river, discovering coffee plants and fruits of all new flavors and giant avocadoes that were deliciously ripe. Already at noon, we were at our huts. After drinking coffee from the local coffee shop with its coffee production, we went to Saint Teresa with natural hot springs. Laying in the baths for a couple of hours relieved all the muscle pain; we felt brand new and ready for bed.
Worth it!
I thought I heard twenty-eight kilometers wrong, but no, we were up for a hike! First, we went up the second pass; we gave ourselves a little more rest; being in the middle of the group was tough! On the way down, we came to the archaeological site Llactapata; it was an old temple where the travelers could rest and offer Lamas (and maybe more) to the sun god, then the blood would flow toward Machupicchu. From this point, we got our first glimpse of the majestic town, feeling ready to zip line there. But there were none, so on we went. After lunch in hydroelectric, it was flat along the train tracks, so that went fast. The last stop with the group was at Agua Caliente. We had a hotel room and dinner at a restaurant; no more weird soups! Yay! And even a hot shower felt like heaven.
Last Miles
Today the day of our last kilometers, we slept in and skipped the early rising. It felt good, mainly because we learned it had been foggy all morning, and no one could see anything before 11 am. We visited the lost city of the Incas at noon, which was breathtaking! So much more significant than I had imagined, and you were allowed to walk around the ruins. Worth every meter! the first 2 hours were sunny, and we sat and enjoyed the view. And just when we decided to go back, the rain came, and we got to see how their water systems worked. It was so awesome!
Next, we are off to Puerto Maldonado, located in the jungle. See you later.
For more photos, click on the button below.
Vidunderligt at følge. Fantastisk hvad I ser og oplever . I får da virkelig gået nogle kilometer 😊
Ja, det er lidt af en vandring! Men så, smukt! 🙂 Glad for at du følger med!
Excellent post. I certainly love this website. Continue the good work!
thank you! 🙂
Skønt! Hvor er der flot Stina <3 så lækkert at følge og flotte og sjove beskrivelser ! Elsker det!
Tusind tak! Glad for at du kan lide dem! håber, det kan inspirere lidt til fremtidige ture! 😉