Sep 29, 2009 - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

We started our journey to Machu Picchu at Kilometre 82 (the start of the Inca Trail) and although the walk was gentle on day 1 to ease us in, the weather was not so kind and we arrived at our first camp for the night all wet and soggy! Day 2, which we were told was the hardest day, lived up to our expectations! It was really tough as we had to go up by approximately 1000m to get to the highest point on the trail (approx 4200m/13,700ft). ... Although day 3 is mainly downhill it was the longest day and we were getting tired now and going down, although easier on your breathing, is much harder on your legs! We were all very glad to get to our last camp for the trip - plus there was the extra bonus of it being the first place where we could have a shower! After sharing a tent with Adrian who hadn't had a shower for almost 3 days it was a relief to my nose as well! Finally day 4 arrived and it was just a few hours walk to Machu Picchu! It was so amazing to get the first glimpse of the "lost city" although when we finally arrived we were so tired it was hard to take it all in! Anyway, we made it and it is very satisfying! Not only the physical challenge but the camping - with the lack of showers, cold nights and the toilet facilities along the way were disgusting! But it was worth it. ...

Sep 28, 2009 - Recovering in Cusco

Iris had arranged a private bedroom with en-suite at the Priwa B&B on Calle Suecia off the Plaza de Armas for our first night after the Salkantay trip.Iris had arranged a private bedroom with en-suite at the Priwa B&B on Calle Suecia off the Plaza de Armas for our first night after the Salkantay trip....

Sep 27, 2009 - 5 days Trekking to Machu Picchu - Day 5

The reason - to see one of the new seven wonders of the world - Machu Picchu. ... The climb up the mountain would take about one hour and a half and we should be there in plenty of time to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu. ... They had overslept - maybe climbing the mountain and seeing Machu Picchu once a week had lost its charm and they just kept snoozing for a bit too long. ... He was very kind and let our group follow his and so we started walking towards Machu Picchu. ... 45 in the morning - about 15 minutes before they opened Machu Picchu to the public. ...

Sep 26, 2009 - 5 days Trekking to Machu Picchu - Day 4

The city sits at the bottom of the mountain on which Machu Picchu is built. ... In fact, you need to go to Aguas Calientes if you want to get to Machu Picchu, It is easy to get to Aguas Calientes from Cusco - it takes about 3-4 hours by a combination of bus and train. ... From Aguas Calientes, people can then take a 15 minute bus up the mountain to the Machu Picchu site. ... We were planning to walk up the mountain to Machu Picchu the next morning. ... Machu Picchu opens its gates at six in the morning so we needed a very early start. ...

Sep 25, 2009 - 5 days Trekking to Machu Picchu - Day 3

We were once again woken up early by our cooks delivering tea at 5.We were once again woken up early by our cooks delivering tea at 5....

Sep 24, 2009 - Cusco

After another overnight bus we arrived in Cusco ready for Inca Trail! We had three days in Cusco to help acclimatize to the altitude before starting the trail. ... We decided to do a day trip and tour The Sacred Valley which is just north of Cusco. ... Cusco is a really nice ... city, like all Peruvian towns it's built around its main plaza, which is very pleasant and great for people watching! Cusco was a really nice ...

Sep 24, 2009 - 5 days Trekking to Machu Picchu - Day 2

We were awoken by one of the cooks delivering hot tea to our tent at 5.We were awoken by one of the cooks delivering hot tea to our tent at 5....

Sep 23, 2009 - Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

We flew straight from Santiago to Lima, and then changed plane to reach Cusco. ... The Cusco hotel I was in was such a good deal, it is just US $ 40 per room and you get a 360 degrees view of Cusco and the nearby mountains, plus it is a massive room. ... Cusco was rather enjoyable, it has lots of character. ... The train ride to Poroy and the taxi-ride back to Cusco were quite long. ... Today I am just having a lazy day here in Cusco, and I am getting ...

Sep 23, 2009 - 5 days Trekking to Machu Picchu - Day 1

Today was the first day of our five day trek to Machu Picchu. ... We have chosen to go on one of the alternative Inca-trails rather than the original Inca-trail.Today was the first day of our five day trek to Machu Picchu. ... We have chosen to go on one of the alternative Inca-trails rather than the original Inca-trail....

Sep 22, 2009 - Visiting Paddington Bear in Cuzco

Not sure whether it’s because I know I need to get up really early tomorrow morning (4am start) for the Machu Picchu hike, or that I was just so excited about the trip, I woke up 3am this morning and couldn’t fall back to sleep again. We spent the rest of the day wandering around Cuzco and ventured into the more ‘authentic’ side of the town where locals mingle. ... Marcus was pretty amused by the shops and we decided that we should bring the big camera to capture the activities before we leave Cuzco. ... As we’ve mentioned, we are going to be on a 5 days tour and will not be online until Monday the earliest.Not sure whether it’s because I know I need to get up really early tomorrow morning (4am start) for the Machu Picchu hike, or that I was just so excited about the trip, I woke up 3am this morning and couldn’t fall back to sleep again. We spent the rest of the day wandering around Cuzco and ventured into the more ‘authentic’ side of the town where locals mingle. ... Marcus was pretty amused by the shops and we decided that we should bring the big camera to capture the activities before we leave Cuzco. ... As we’ve mentioned, we are going to be on a 5 days tour and will not be online until Monday the earliest....

Sep 21, 2009 - A day chilling at Cuzco...

Today has been a very quiet day dedicated to not doing particularly much.Today has been a very quiet day dedicated to not doing particularly much....

Sep 20, 2009 - Day trip around Sacred Valley

After this unknown little market town, we headed towards Pisac for another Sunday market. ... Pisac is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. ... As we arrived in Pisac the first thing that we bought was a gigantic cob of sweet corn. ... There turned out to be two parts to the Pisac market. ... Definitely one of the highlights of the day! After visiting the town of Pisac we got into the bus again and was driven up the mountain behind Pisac. ...