Cusco and Machu Picchu
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Pete Writes: Heading into Peru was relatively painless and after catching 3 buses over 9 hours we arrived at Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu. As a City Cusco is probably the most beautiful one we have seen on our trip, especially the view we had from our guest house, although a good view does not come without a little climb up a steep cobble street which had us out of breath more than once!
We spent a couple of days wandering around the City enjoying the buildings and the laid back atmosphere, and we even stumbled upon a woman walking a Lama which we decided would be a great photo opportunity. After the lady posed for photos she asked for some money, I then realized that it was a definite tourist trap and she must just walk around every day with a Lama in tow, it did give me an idea for some extra cash when I get home, (all I need is a cow, straw hat and a glass of cider).
After a lot of debating over whether or not to do a Trek we decided why not and booked ourselves onto a 5 day trek (which we later found out was the hardest of all the treks) to Machu Picchu via a pass of 4600m and then down into the jungle. Imagine our concern when we started to pick up the rest of our group and they all looked like they climbed mountains on a weekly basis 
The trek was one of the hardest things I have ever done especially when we had to climb over the pass stopping for breath every 5 meters but when we reached the 4600m sign I knew that it was all down hill from there :o) Four days after we set off we reached Aguas Calientes ready to head up to Machu Picchu the next morning. So at 4.30am I joined the rest of the lads to climb 600m with the aim to beat the first bus that arrived at 5.50am, I did it with not long to spare, and it felt so good I decided to trek up another 500m to Wayna Picchu and get a great birds eye view of the ruins. Machu Picchu did not fail to impress and I can see why it is one of the 7 wonders of the world, and I am glad I walked the long way round as I really appreciated the beauty of the Inca ruins and also made some good Friends along the way.
Chloe Writes: Cusco is a really vibrant city, completely tourist orientated but amazing none-the-less. The city has so much character with its cobbled steep streets and beautiful buildings with old-style wooden balcony’s. Theres a real party atmosphere, with something going on each night in the Plaza Del Armas, whether its live music or dancing in the streets. All for the benefit of us tourists as the gateway to Machu Picchu.
After saying for the last few weeks (mainly due to my struggling with the altitude) that i didn´t want to trek to Machu Picchu, upon arriving to Cusco we got caught up in the buzz and ended up booking a 5 day trek witch takes us up over the Salcantay pass at 4,600 meters. Not that high for those hardcore trekkers out there, but plenty high enough for an unfit traveler with dodgy lungs.
After struggling and feeling like giving up before lunch on the first day, especially when we were picked up in the morning with a bus load of young fit lads, who by the sounds of it had extensive experience in climbing mountains a lot higher than the one on our trek, and the 3 hours sleep I had the night before certainly didn’t help with my Positive attitude, I eventually made the 4 day, 80k walk to Aguas Calientes (the town-ship at the base of MachuPicchu), although mostly at the back of the group trying to catch up. The first 2 days were very difficult and getting over the pass was taken very, very slowly as due to the altitude, breathing alone was hard for me, let alone climbing a very steep mountain.
From there though, it was mainly down hill and on the third day we ended up in the jungle. That afternoon we all made our way to the hot springs and had a well deserved 2 hour soak in the hot water…heaven!!. At our camp that evening we were entertained by the antics of a squirrel monkey who took a bit of a shine to me and snuggled up on my lap for half an hour. By bed time I tried to put the monkey down and it got very upset and wouldn’t let go of me. It latched on to me with its arms leg and tail and tried to bite any one who tried to remove him. In the end I had to take my jumper off and make a run for it. When i went into the bathroom before bed, he somehow knew i was in there and waited outside for me. What a cutie, I could have taken him home.
The 4th day we arrived in Aquas Calientes in a cloud of biting sand-flys, knackered, with swollen feet and ankles. By the 5th day and our visit to Machupicchu I was so tired and sore I couldn´t face the 600 meter 4.30am climb up to Machupicchu so I opted for the bus instead. I also opted not to climb the steep mountain of Waynapicchu and to save what little energy I had for the walk around the Inca ruins. Although very tired I really enjoyed the day and walked down the mountain instead to appreciate the boy´s effort getting up there.
After the trek it was back to Cusco for some well deserved “tranquillo” & “Un Poco fiesta” to celebrate the end of the trek.
Page Gallery
Cusco from our guesthouse
Thats one way to get around
Women walk around the town with their Llamas hoping an unsuspecting tourist will take a picture….. She wanted 5 soles for the privlidge
A classic bettle chugs its way up the hill
Cusco in the morning
Pete treks with A DIY walking stick
Amongst the Clouds
Morning in the Mountains
At the top of the Salcantay Pass
In the jungle
Halo of the sun….a rainbow the whole way around the sun, never seen that before
Waterfall
Our guide John had had enough
Chloe with her DIY walking stick
Machupicchu in the morning
A postcard picture of Machupicchu
View from WaynaPicchu
Some brick work of the ruins
Our group minus Noah who was ill on the last day
Mucho Fiesta at the end of the trek