Land of the Incas Aug 07

London to Lima

Thursday 2nd August 2007

Now in Lima airport. 

 Arrived yesterday evening after a very very long flight!  Tried the local drink - Pisco Sours - which went down well and ensured we got a good night's sleep.

Everyone is very excited about doing the trail.  It's a lovely group and everyone is getting on very well.

Messages from the trekkers:

We've arrived.  Elspeth

Hello everyone.  Feeling nervous, everyone's amazing, very excited.  Kate

Hi Lili.  Just about to take the flight to Cusco.  Miss you, lots of love.  Mum x

Hi.  Flight in over the Andes was gobsmacking.  Can't believe we're really doing this.  Miss you both loads, wish you were here.  Gaynor

I'm alive!  Stan

Hello Rick, Thomas and Ellen.  Love you loads.  I really am in Peru andd cannot believe it.  Will phone you soon.  Bye.  Big Mama

Hi Sen, Mum and Woody, Delilah and Daisy.  Just in Lima airport and getting excited now.  Miss you and lots of love.  X  Gill

I'm here! Can't believe it.  Very tired but excited.  Miss you.  Love Pip x

When in Lima!  Hitting the coco leaves!! Xx  Rowe

Hi everyone.  Here and well.  See you all soon.  Xxx   Lesley

Fab so far but mobile doesn't work.  Julie

All fine so far and I've found the stowaway.  Tobin

Cusco

Friday 3rd August 2007

The flight to Cusco was amazing!  Flew right over the mountains so had fantastic views.  Once we landed in Cusco we took a walking tour round and taking in the Inca history.  We will be spending one and a half days here to acclimatise to the altitude before setting off on the trek.  It is a great place with lots of lovely things to buy.  I think a lot of people will have trouble closing their suitcases on the way back!  Everyone is feeling the effects of the altitude in some way but everyone is in high spirits.

Cusco day 2

Saturday 4th August 2007

Another day in Cusco.  We did a small trek into the mountains and saw some amazing Inca ruins and had fantastic views.  The weather is lovely, brighton blue skies and sunshine!  Everyone is coping better with the alitutude and are raring to start the trek tomorrow. 

This evening we have our last meal in the hotel and our last night in a bed for a few days!

Messages from the trekkers:

Arrived in Cusco ok - been exploring today and did a walk.  Hard work and hot!  Starting the Inca Trail tomorrow - eek!  Love  Pip x

My god you should see these mountians they are huge.  We are all like little mountain goats thought ..... well maybe not but so far so good.  Love you.  We start the proper trek tomorrow.  Hopefully the camping will work out fine.  Sara

Our two days in Cusco have been very exciting and for me the high point was the visit to the 'Head of the Puma' temple complex - very spiritual.  Steve

Although boys are in the minority we are keeping spirits very high!  Stan

Exploring Cusco and surrounding area.  Wisited some Inca sites.  Fantastic views out over mountains and hillside.  Inca trail starting tomorrow!  Love  Mark xx

A wonderful day, aclimatising , walking, shopping - you are going to love your Llama bobhats!!  Roe

Hello everyone, just to let you know I'm alive and having loads of fun.  Start the trek tomorrow.  See you soon.  Lesley xx

Did a practise trek today and survived - was not ht elast one to finish!  Love to everyone  Elspeth

Hola everyone!! Can't quite believe that I'm here.  The daily sights are amazing - working witht eh altitude.  Its crazy its effects.  Taken loads of photos - uploaded on facebook!  Had a practice trek today - only 2 hours - hard work!  Missing everyone like crazy.  Wish you were here sharing this amazing experience.  Congratulations to Kirstie and Steve and Libby and Guing.  Love you  Katie x

Hi!  Hope you have been doing ok.  I am fine - no blisters yet but the big one starts tomorrow!! Loads of love  Gaynor (mum) x

Hi despite the altitude I am still laughing!  Lots of love  Maggie x

Hello everyone.  Seen lots of llamas, survived the altitude without too much problem - start the major trek tomorrow.  Hope you are all well.  Angela x

The trek begins!

Sunday 5th August

Today we started the trek!  We took the bus very early to the start via a small town called Ollantaytambo where everyone picked up some last minute provisions including lots of magic sticks!  Then we were off!  The sun was shinning and there were some absolutely stunning views of the mountains. 

Although the most gentle day of the trek there were still some steep ascents and many people were feeling the altitude which made it much much harder - the challenge has definately begun! 

 We reached our campsite before it got dark and ate dinner and had an early night as it is an early start tomorrow for Dead Woman´s Pass.  Most of the group didn't sleep all that well, maybe in part due to a phantom snorer!

Dead Woman's Pass

Monday 6th August

Up at 5:45 am!  Ready for a start at 7am.  Today was an extremely tough day with lots of steep climbs made doubly hard by the altitude, but It is a great group and we spurred each other on. 

Again the scenery was breathtaking, although you had to keep remembering to look around you and not focus on your feet!  We climbed to 4200m today up to Dead woman´s Pass ( the name says everything!), the highest point of the trek.  Everyone did fantastically well. 

A special congratulations to one member of our group, Elspeth who celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary today - what a way to spend it!

Message from Elspeth to Nick:

I just wanted to say the first words I said to you on our wedding day all those years ago - "your´re standing on my train!"

The group reaches 4000m altitude!

Tuesday 7th August

Left at 5 30am!  Straight into a very steep climb that seemed to go on forever! we climbed up to another pass today that was 4000m high.  Was a real struggle but we made it and there were some fantastic views of the surrounding moutains at the top. 

We then had a very long descent into camp - very tough on the knees.  Today was the longest day so far - 11 hours!  But everyone did really well.

Machu Picchu

Wednesday 8th August

Another early start - 4 30am!  A good nights sleep seems like a distant memory!  We walked through beautiful forest to begin with and then began our ascent to the sun gate.  The scenery was amazing and constantly changing. 
We finaly arrived at the sungate to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu - it was an absolutely incredible sight and there were lots of tears - a very emotional moment for everyone especially after such a tough few days.  Made it all worthwhile.  We then descended into Machu Picchu which absolutely blew everyone away.

Although a tough trek everyone enjoyed it and everyone did absolutely fantastic.  There are many aching limbs but everyone´s spirits are up. 

Rosemary would like to say her green shorts made it to the sun gate and Machu Picchu! Elspeth even summoned up the energy to run the last bit down into Machu Pichu!

It was an incredible experience for everyone.