Inka Trail and Machu Pichu

The night before leaving for our trek into Machu Pichu, we were getting increasingly ecstatic. Making all the necessary packing alterations to ensure we don't exceed our weight limit for the bags that the porters will be carrying up on our behalf. --We thought having a porter was very 'princess'-like, but we had no idea the type of royal treatment that laid ahead of us.-- Turning in early for our likewise rise in the morning, my mind had wandered (as it often does) picturing the journey ahead- but my imagination did not come close to the reality of the trek. We were picked up early that saturday morning, packed in with all the groups provisions for the upcoming few days. We drove through the sacred valley and onwards to the beginning of the Inka Trail--where we met up with the rest of our group.

OUR GROUP: A few people stood out at once, a couple of Australian pilots: Jane-o and Tom, then a New Yorka: Jessica---these three were the friendliest-introducing themselves to me right away and ended up proving nothing less than wonderful for our whole journey. There were some really genuinely amazing people that I came to know throughout our journey as well: Steve-an absolute gem from the UK that has submersed himself in the US, Hannah and Chris- an English father-daughter duo, Hannah a school teacher my age, and Chris a fire serviceman. It was Chris' 2nd time on the trail-his first over 20? yrs ago; it was interesting to pick his mind a bit about the comparison between then and now-how the trail has changed. "...well Megan where that bridge was that we just crossed on foot, we would have to haul ourselves full backpacks and all (no porters then) into a basket and pulley our way across the river..." -that would be waaaay cool I thought-but a bridge is nice too! There were 2 sisters from England as well, Jen and Vicky, quiet at first but absolute riot once you get to talking about parties and dressing up in costumes for such! A lovely couple from California, Ken and Alice, there for their 30th wedding anniversary. And finally the two oddballs that brought the most laughs, Tim a true rural Aussie-who said Crikey! like it was going out of style, and Aomy (aka Army, aka Gareth) who was an army brat from New Zealand. Our wonderful, patient and hilarious guides Roger, Daniel, and Oscar were so great to get to know and pick their minds of how living and guiding in Peru is like.

The trail as a whole was not nearly as difficult as I thought or have heard from others it would be like. The 2nd day, which is supposed to be the most pain-staking as we ascend up dead woman's pass, was not that bad at all. I'm not saying that I raced up it, but I wasn't going to die from the strain from the hike. Granted, how our group hiked was nice; the super super fit people were well at the front in a group chatting away, then a bit back was myself-which I often was hiking solo with my zen- music plugged into one ear, while the other ear listened to mother nature. Then a few of the girls and Chris were behind me, and then the couple from Cali wrangled up the caboose. I rather enjoyed hiking by myself, as I do at home in the rockies, you go your own pace, don't compete, just listen to your body's tempo and enjoy nature and all the cool things surrounding you. On the way down from the pass to our campsite that 2nd night, I got caught in a downpour-that eventually turned into this majestic fog like surrounding, so I didn't mind it all that much-although I have a wicked good raincoat to keep me dry! Most nights would be drizzling- since we came at the end of rainy season- so the lot of us would be in our dining tent playing cards (yes-you read right-dining room tent- I told you we camped like princesses).

The 3rd day was our 'cultural day'- we stopped at a bunch of inka and pre-inka sites along the way and Roger would usually give us a rundown on what things were and the inka's thoughts on the need for these structures. On the way down to our campsite, were these massive terraces (bigger and taller than others we had numerously come across). They looked out onto a great view of the valley, great place reflect and meditate. Once we arrived to our campsite there were more terraces that we visited that were formed in such a tight circle it was really neat to explore them on our free time--prior to another of our delicious dinners that were prepared for us. That night we wrote a thank you poem- in spanish(thanks to Tom and Jess) to our porters, cooks, and guides. It was really awesome that our group wanted to display their gratitude for all the amazing service we had on our trek.

The last day was the rocky balboa day, we awoke before the break of dawn to line up for the gate to open to clamber up to the Sun Gate or on our particular day the 'fog gate'. Normally you would have been able to see Machu Pichu site as you walk towards it, but not for us. Not that we were deterred by it, we still thought the fogged landscape was majestically beautiful on it's own. After a few particular sites that we were guided through, we were set free to explore on our own. A few went down fairly early to go drinking at a restaurant in Aquas Calientes, while a few stayed back for a bit, I stayed as long as I could. Meditating, taking photos, exploring the stonework, and my patience was rewarded for the sun came out full force whilst I was sitting on a high terrace appreciating the views! Spectatular!

For anyone that thinks that they are not fit enough to hike the Inka Trail, I would argue that you can do it. With determination and the force of Pachu Mama and the Mountain gods, you will succeed and make it all the way. So Mom, Dad, Auntie Lorna and Uncle Dan, yes, you can do it!! It's not just for young whipper snappers like myself.