Create your Trip Journal [click here]The start of a journey we had postponed from last year. We had decided to hike the Cachicata trail as it is less traveled and more remote and it turned out to be the most fabulous hike we've been on.
Overnight was a blur as we arrived in Lima at 12:30 am. Slept some in the airport but mostly not. Our connecting flight arrived in Cusco at 6:45am and we were met by Willie, our driver and Edwin, our most amazing guide.
After a quick breakfast, no time to waste, it was off to see the sights of Cusco. The peruvians make in our opinion the best pizzas and as an accompaniment we were introduced to Pisco Sours, the national drink. Turned out to be a must for the next two weeks. Since our daughter has 2 pet Guinea pigs I promised not to eat them here even though this seems to be one of their national dishes.
We never realized that there were so many Inca ruins or that their empire was so large. It made us sad to realize how much of their culture and history is lost forever.
Saw Pucapucara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Moray and Saqsayhuaman, a dizzying day with lots to take in.
Up early. It was mothers day so Peggy got the royal treatment with a rose and confetti from Edwin. It was so exciting when we finally started to hike. We are in our glory.
Passed through Socma village. The day was warm and sunny and everyone was in such great spirits. Stopped for lunch at 12:30. We felt so spoiled as this was not the kind of of food we usually have camping. Augusta, our cook was a pro, he always served something different each meal. We stopped in Macurai village around 3:00 where we dropped off some school supplies and a soccer ball and volley ball at the local school. Stopped for the night at our first camp site at 4:20. We are now at 12,300 feet. So far we have had no trouble with the altitude.
Up at 5:45am and the guys brought us some nice hot tea and then on to breakfast. Another beautiful day. At around 7:00am Victor arrived out of nowhere and played and his harp and sang some traditional Peruvian folk songs.No sooner had he arrived than he was gone. At about 12:30 we reached our highest elevation at 14,511 feet. What a view! Reached the next camp site and settled in for a lazy afternoon.
Up at 6:00, more tea and another fabulous breakfast. The porters are unbelievable. We leave before they do and then later they would pass us on the trail and have everything set up again when we get to the next stop. We have 5 llamas and 5 horses to carry everything. At night they just let them graze and rest and then run around in the morning to round them up. They always seem to find them even when they are nowhere to be seen. Arrived at the last camp sight and had a last dinner before the end of the hike.
Up early and got picked up for our trip by train to Aguas Calientes and Mach Picchu. Checked in to the Mapi hotel. Wow! what a room. Off to the famous site where we spent the next 6 hours in awe at all that we saw. Can't imagine how all this was built. Words can't describe its beauty and size. You have to be there. Got our passport stamped as a souvenir and back to the hotel for a nice shower, then off to dinner where we consumed large quantities of the national drink, the famous and delicious Pisco Sour.
On the way back to Cusco we stopped at a weavers co-op where local women are preserving the art of producing hand woven fabric made from llama and alpaca. Its all spun by hand and dyed using all natural ingredients such as plants and dried beetles and crushed minerals. They are such fabulous artisans. Arrived late to the hotel but still had time for another wood fired Pizza and more Pisco Sours.
