Inka Trail

The Inka Trail. This was the starting point of what would be a four day trek (more than just a hike) through various cloud forests; mountain passes; mud and rain; and glorious views.

The check-in point (and this is where you pay). This is how they determine who actually completes the trek, by comparing it against the list of people who check out 4 days later. I am pleased to announce that everyone in our group made it out (including me).

This was, in pictorial terms, what we hiked. It looked pretty simple when presented this way. I'm not saying that the trek was difficult, but speaking for myself, I was glad when each day's 'hike' came to an end and we arrived in our campsite.

The green valleys littered the mountainsides. Every direction was magnificent, from the mountains, to the forests, to the valleys.

These were the people in our group, stopping at one of the many scenic overlooks for a group picture. We had a local tour guide who informed us of our progess on the trail. The trail is pretty well marked, but there are various ruins and plant life that had to be explained to us.

These tents kept us pretty dry. January is the rainly season. In the morning, we were waken with hot tea outside our tents, and then we stumbled into the mess tent for a breakfast.

It the mountains of Peru you have Llamas, Alpacas, and Guanacos, which all look the same to me. I didn't get too close to them (I didn't want to get spit in the eye).

These were truly the steps from hell, if there is one. And it is ascending into the heavens. Each step was carefully and slowly placed, breathing in and out, having to stop at every 15-20 steps. It took a long time to climb these 2,674,390 steps (at least it felt like that many).

This was the highest point of the climb, at the top of the steps from hell. It wasn't exactly downhill from that point, and even downhill isn't easy when you have a pack on your back at an altitude of 10,000 feet plus. This pass is at 4,198 meters (13,769 feet).

These forests are growing at 10,000 feet. Up here they don't get covered by fog, they get covered by clouds. It seemed similar to a rain forest, without the warm tropical air of the jungles (jungles are at a much lower altitude, and usually have more snakes).

I will tell you this. All the meals were excellent. The porters who carried the tents, water and food doubled as our cooks and they did an incredible job. They would run ahead of us with all the supplies and set up camp and prepare the food before our arrival (they are the unsung heros). I remember best the bickies? (cookies) and hot chocolate served at the end of the day. We were served 3-course gormet dinners, better than any restaurant food in the cities.

It was 3 glorious nights of camping in the most scenic places, being woken up cows mooing (that was the first morning, or was it the second morning?). I will admit that we were never attacked by llamas.

This was the third day of hiking, a summit lower than the steps from hell, but still seemingly exhausting.

We arrive at our goal. The journey was scenic and beautiful, but so was this city. When we arrived in the morning, we didn't think we would see anything as the clouds obscured the city. But 15 minutes later, lo and behold, the sacred city appeared as if floating among the clouds, which it was. So in the language of Quenchua I say- 'Yusulipayki' (which means thank you).

The Beginning

The Inka Trail. This was the starting point of what would be a four day trek (more than just a hike) through various cloud forests; mountain passes; mud and rain; and glorious views.