Hiking the Inca Trail

	Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu [click to zoom]

Day 0 - Not only was I traveling to the other side of the globe, but I would go deep into the heart of the rainforest then onto a three day trek from Cuzco to the ancient sacred city of Machu Picchu. This is something I had thought about doing for so long and today I was bubbling with excitement; I really didn't know what to expect.

Day 1 - Today is travel day, all the way to Lima, Peru. We finally made it through baggage, customs, and I found the tour director holding up a sign with my name on it, so it's off to the hotel for a few hours of rest.

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Day 2 - When we arrive in Cuzco it is still morning. After a breather in the hotel and some lunch, we are guided around the city and surrounding ruins of Cuzco. It was amazing to see the remnants of this once flourishing empire, and the Spaniards who conquered it. We visit the cathedral Coricancha, the most important temple of the Inca empire, the Santo Domingo Monastery, The Royal Baths of Tambomchay, the Semicircular shrine of Kenko, and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Built to defend the city, it is still a mystery how it was built with some of the stone weighing 125 tons.

Day 3 - After an early wake-up, I thought that nothing could be worth so much travel. Never could I have imagined the immensity and lushness of what is the rainforest. As we traveled further down the Madre de Dios river, the density of the foliage grew until we reached our lodge. Someone made the comment that the huge 30-foot tree lining the river bank was a small houseplant she had in her living room! After a tropical lunch we headed over the river for a leisurely walk with our guide to start exploring the surroundings. It became obvious why he had brought ripe bananas when the wild monkeys started grouping around us in the trees, then the leader came screaming down and soon after the rest followed. We were soon surrounded by several different species.

Day 4 - Today I saw so many wonders, trees whose trunks are thicker than the width of my house, snails the size of cantaloupes, countless plants which have both medicinal and practical uses, and scenic views which boggle the mind. We canoed around the Qocha Perdida (the lost pond) and climbed up the tallest treehouse for the most spectacular view. Lunch was a native dish steamed in banana leaves, which delighted the tastebuds. The afternoon we were free to do as we wished, and since the sky was clear after dinner we were able to boat up river, lay back with the silence occasionally interrupted by night animals, watching the stars as we drifted back down river to the lodge.

"Sleeping surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest is comparable to nothing else on earth, and in the morning we had to carry out the toucan that had napped in our cabin for the night..."

Day 5 - Today I can truly say the last of the Western world has been melted away. Sleeping surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest is comparable to nothing else on earth, and in the morning we had to carry out the toucan that had napped in our cabin for the night. Today's adventures started when our guide turned up a narrow river (the Garminatano) which I would have never seen with so much foliage crowding into the water. We again walked for hours with our guide explaining the sights and the drizzle softening the day. Our guide cut an arial root and we could lean under to drink the pure water inside. No one minded getting wet as we cut engine and coasted back to the river main looking at the treetops for parrots.

Day 6 - We sadly said goodbye to the rainforest today and returned to adventures in Cuzco. With today all to ourselves, we dried off, sent out the laundry, explored and shopped the day away. We passed the evening with a wonderful dinner show, starring traditional dancers, music, and local food.

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Day 7 - With a very early start, we head out on the bus to Ollantaytamb at mile 88 (and the beginning of our Trail) We meet our guide and the porters load up with massive amounts of equipment for our comfort, a huge suspension bridge is the first of many crossings of the Urubamba River. Setting out the first day the trail is comfortable and easy-going with the trail a packed earth. When we finish for the evening we find the campsite ready for us and our cook Juugit has prepared wonders for us to fill our strength.

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Day 8 - Today was mostly straight up. The trail was lined with berries and flowers as we gained altitude and culminated our climb at Warmiwanusq'a pass at 13,776 ft., with spectacular views of the Cusichaca Valley and Pacamayo gorge. The trail begins to turn into cobblestone, including a seemingly endless amount of stairs (one famous stretch of which is over 2km long). Today as yesterday we hiked and approximate 7.5 miles.

Day 9 - The terrain today again begins to become more dense with plant growth and we pass through two tunnels the Incas bored through the center of huge natural stones and marvel at how the trail now is in places 6ft wide and almost perfectly cobbled. The continental divide offers spectacular views at 11,778 ft. and the hostel for the evening gave us a chance to try Chicha and visit with hikers from all parts of the globe.

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Day 10 - We are now just a short distance from Inti Punki (the gate of the sun) and with a pre-dawn departure can enjoy a spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu, then continue the short way down to the spectacular Machu Picchu ruins. Here we meet up with some folks in our group who instead of hiking spent the last days exploring the Cuzco area. We have a tour of the ruins, then get bussed down to the town for lunch, some folks hurry to have time to sit in the natural hot springs and sooth away the aches before heading back on the afternoon train. On the ride back, we hear what the others have been doing around Cuzco, including a tour of the ancient valley of the Incas, and a night in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Day 11 - Today we are free to do as we wish in Cuzco. We have lots of places to revisit and to say our farewells to.

Day 12 - Early morning, we head back to Lima, to drop off our things once again and visit the colonial sites and museums of Lima. It is hard to believe the mix of culture and social classes which I have experienced during this trip. One last free afternoon before heading back to my old life.

Day 13 - On the airplane home I have new friends to chat with and reflect all I have seen and learned. The cultures which come and go, the people and the various styles of life of which so many no longer exist in my part of the world, the beauty of nature which is so strong and fragile and the same time takes breath away with its astounding sites and creations. What people say is true, the experience of Peru and Machu Picchu changes something deep inside of you. I know that I will hold this with me for always. I was supposed to travel to the other side of the globe, and at the same time traveled deep into my own heart.

— Bianca Trenker, MountainZone.com Pubster