The Inca Trail in the rainy season

Album - Inca Trail

16 trekkers and four guides set off from Cusco to the sacred valley.We had our usual big packs while others had as little as a carrier bag.The carrier bag was supplemented by a day pack and walking polls at the breakfast stop. Ollyantambo was a pretty little town with cobbled streets and a magificent inca ruin going up the hillside.The bus managed to get a few miles further down a dirt track past little farms to a big river and the start of the camino del Inca.In sunshine we walked along the valley past a couple of Inca ruins and always between big mountains.

We reached the first campground just before dark.The porters had put the tents up and we were soon unpacked.Dinner in the big tent with our new friends from Argentina,Chile,Peru, Japan. Ireland and England. Dave trying hard to roll his rrrrrrs like the Argentinians.We were told breakfast would be at 5.30am next day but at 6 am there was not even a cup of tea. When breakfast came Diabetic Dave had porridge with sugar and lots of jam and bread and had no insulin to help to make the climb from 2900m to 4200m without his sugar level going low. For three hours we climbed the well paved but steep Inca Trail  with Dave puffing but happy has he passed most of the younger walkers. We met two walkers from Georgia. Dave said that was in the old USSR. No its in the USA. Raining most of the way but great moutain views.Sat in the 4200m mountain pass for one hour. WArm one side and freezing on the other. Lots of steps down to the next campsite. Beautiful view of snowy mountains and big waterfalls. Lots of rain in the night.
Next morning climbed up inca steps up the mountainside passing one inca ruin before the next pass. Down many steps at the otherside to a big inca ruin like a castle. Lunch next to another ruin In more rain we climbed up through jungle to a great narrow path just below a ridge. Really well built stony paths we visited another big ruin as we started to descend. There had been so much building in the hills.Then down and down to the campground not long before dark. One of the Georgians tells us there is a great ruin near the campground. We check it out and it is amazing. Big terraces had transformed a mountainside into good farming land. The meals were getting less appetizing or we were a bit sick. Met the porters on the last night.

Up at 3am on final day so that the porters can be in the valley to get the train back. About 4.30 set off in dark and pouring rain . After 15 mins we are at the gate to Macchu Picchu trail. As it doesnt open until 5.30am we sit in a ditch in the rain with the sound of Dave complaining this is nonsense. About 200 others trekkers who are not saying much.5.30 and we are off along the trail. Still raining but coming light.Good path up to the sun gateabout 5kms. Freezing and pouring down there-no sun. Our colleagues in $2 ponchos and traing shoes must have been soaked. Glimpse of Machu Pichu through the fog and rain. Down at main gate leave our big bags ,wait for our guide to have breakfast then start tour of Machu Pichu about 9.30 just as sun is coming out.For two hours it is scorching hot. Great views.

Wonderful place on a ridge surrounded by big drops and bigger mountains. Our guide Henry telling us to feel the energy. A trip to the inca bridge is equally impressive. An inca path along a mountainside to a bridge leading to another section of path now closed off but going across a cliff face.Very impressed with Machu Pichu we start the walk down to Agua Calientes in more rain. 45 mins down but then an unexpected 30 mins walk up a track to the down.Huge river crashing alongside the track. Get the train with 10mins to spare. Very pleasant. Bus from Ollytambo with views of big snowy mountains. Steep steep road down into Cusco. A hot bath and a glass of wine at Fawlty towers hotel.

Album - More in Cusco

Next day meet Detlev and Urte in the square. We last saw Detlev the tall man in a hat in Sucre. Since then he has met his wife in Beunas Aires travelled Patagonia then had a one week horror trip by bus from Lima to Cusco.Great to see him again.Next day do the ruins nearby including sexywoman an inca city with walls made of the biggest stone blocks ever. Local lunch of soup and trout. Sounds good but the mere thought of this makes Dave feel sick. He is in decline.Good tour of Cusco next day from Millhouse hostel. Visiting the market is an experience with lots of strange heads for sale.

Having pizza for lunch and see our first guinea pig which is sharing the pizza oven.Final dinner in Jacks cafe with Detlev and Urte in Daves attempt to avoid local food. Flight to Lima next for an easy life