The Inca trail to Machu Picchu

One foot in front of the other.. veeery slooowly.. Heart is pounding like crazy and the headache is getting heavier and heavier..  Are we there yet? It`s the second day of the Inca trail and a couple of hours later we reach the highest point of the trail, the Dead Woman`s pass, 4215 meters above sea level. Puh!! Trekking in high altitudes is indeed tougher than we imagined, it sure does something to your body.. but WOW... what a beautiful landscape!! It`s unbelievably green and flowers in yellow, pink and blue are are blinking to us along the trek. Amazing! :) Spiders, donkeys, llamas and deers are some of the creatures we meet (in addition to "a couple of" tourists.. ;)).

We are safely led by our guides Juvenal and Amadeo, who tell us about the history of the Incas and the Inca ruins we pass with great enthusiasm (and happily answer our questions). We understand by their knowledge that they are truly dedicated to their job.

When we reach the camp the porters greet us with a big smile and applause. However, it is they who deserve a big applause. The humble and service minded porters carry all the equipment, water, food and some of the group`s personal stuff. With 25 kg on their backs they basically run pass us as we trek in slow motion (fighting to survive:)) to have the camp site ready for us. Can`t say how impressed we are! :)

That also counts for the food. Pancakes, porrige, omelette and toast make out a good start on a long day of trekking. Short time after arrival to camp we receive a delicious three course dinner/lunch. They get the most out of the ingredients and not even once did we get the same dish. They even baked a cake as a gift for us on the last night!

After 4 days of trekking (and 45 km!) we are at the final destination of our trek - the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu!! It reveals itself slowly as the heavy fog disappears - the sight is stunning! :))

Happy and proud to have completed the Inca trail trek we gather with our group for lunch and pisco sour (grape brandy with lemon and sugar - yummie) in Aguas Calientes before we head back to Cusco.

The trek is an absolute "must do" if you ever visit Peru. It´s just amazing! Unfortunately it turned out to be an enourmous survival test for some of us due to altitude sickness. Try trekking at high altitudes 8-10 hours for 2 days with nausea, headache and ..you know what.. without any food in your stomach. Proud of you, Tonje!!! :))

To get back in business and to organise the next few days we are taking a "resting day" in Cusco. A good opportunity to meet up with our fellow trekkers and consume more of the pisco sour ;).

Next destination: Lake Titicaca! :)