In General
Visiting Peru was an amazing and enlightening experience. We saw some extreme poverty right alongside some extremely beautiful and incredible sites. It was my first time abroad, other than visiting Mexico--where I mostly stayed inside the all-inclusive resorts, so I don't really count that. This trip definitely challenged me to try new things (physically, digestively, and mentally). Here are a few things I observed:
- The people down in South America moved at a much slower pace than we do in the U.S. It took forever to order in restaurants and half the time you wouldn't get your drink until you were almost finished eating.
- On the other hand, the food was great. The portions were well sized and everything was flavorful. However, even though the menus would list various flavors or options for different dishes, they really only had one choice and you would get it despite what you ask for.
- They have some serious plumbing issues. If you can actually find toilet paper, (most of the time you have to carry your own) you cannot flush it. Therefore, there is always a trashcan full of nasty used toilet paper in the stall.
- The streets are narrow and people drive like lunatics. My sister in-law actually got hit by a car. . . well, she fell into a car, but that's only because the sidewalks are nearly non-existent.
Ok, ok, I know this is getting too long to actually read. I will just give a brief breakdown of the Inca Trail and that is it. . . go look at the photos.
Inca Trail Summary
The Inca Trail (Camino Inka) is about 31 miles long. You start at an elevation of 8,959 ft and end at 8,072 ft, however, at the summit of the highest pass is 13,780 feet. You must do the hike with a licensed tour operator and only 400 hikers are allowed on the trail each day. We were very lucky and selected a small company (All Trek). Since they were not as well known, we ended up with a small trekking group: only 6 people and 1 guide. Our group of 4 (me, Josh, Nicole (Josh's sister), and Erick (Nicole's boyfriend)) was joined by a very nice Canadian couple of similar age and ability. They were great!! We were so lucky!! Plus, our tour guide Herbert was awesome. He was very funny, knowledgeable, and encouraging. I also liked him because he referred to the bathroom as the internet (ie. "If you need to go use the internet it is just around the corner and down the hill"). I find myself still using the term today.
Day 1
We hiked about 7.5 miles on a dirt trail through terrain that mostly seemed like desert. This part of the trail isn't original and there are people who still live and work right alongside it. This is a little bothersome because it also means there are a lot more animals along the trail and therefore, a lot more poop on the trail. I felt like I was covered in poo dust. At the end of the day we camped nearby the only inhabited village on the trail. During the night I could hear pigs and roosters creeping around our tent. Did I mention I hadn't slept in a tent since elementary school. . .in my backyard?
Day 2
We hiked about 7.5 miles again, but we gained 3,940 ft in elevation. This was surely the most challenging day on the trail. Did I mention I was carrying 32 pounds on my back?? Even though the climb was very difficult, the scenery improved greatly. The views were beautiful and the hike was very rewarding.
Day 3
This was the longest day of hiking. I think we went about 10 miles, but it was well worth it. The views were spectacular. I felt like I was in an Indiana Jones movie, minus the Nazis. The hardest part of the hike was actually going downhill. We went down stairs the entire second half of the day. Our tour guide called the stairs the "Gringo Killer." Even though it was strenuous, I didn't mind the stairs. Day 2 was much harder for me. After trekking through the jungle past several amazing ruins, we arrived at our final campsite. We actually didn't have a pass to stay at the Wiñaywayna campsite, but our guide sweet talked a few people and we were able to share a spot with another small group. That evening was very strange. After hiking for 3 days we were still in the middle of nowhere, but the campsite still had its own bar. We couldn't resist and indulged in a few cold ones--well, mostly cold.
Day 4
On the last day we woke up at 3:30 am to eat breakfast and prepare for our final hike. Despite my sleepiness, I could actually feel the energy and excitement of the people around me. Everyone was anxious to get to Machu Picchu. You have to pass a final checkpoint before you can start back onto the trail on the last day. Since everyone is excited, a queue forms and you wait for your group's turn to begin your hike. PS-it is still dark outside. Because everyone is excited to see the sun rise at the Sun Gate (about an mile into the 2.5 mile hike), people are speed walking on the trail. There are no breaks and you can hear rushed footsteps behind you the entire way. I tried not to look back and hustled as much as I could. . . until I turned a corner and saw the "Spiderman Wall." This is not actually a wall, it is a set of about 50 steps, but they are nearly straight up. Nicole and I literally stopped in our tracks. We were exhausted and the steps were intimidating and there was a line of people behind us feverishly waiting to get to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). We stepped aside and let some people pass, but then, out of nowhere, our guide Herbert came up from behind the crowd and provided us with exactly what we needed to get motivated and climb the wall: he pulled out his cell phone and blasted Eye of the Tiger!! Dun-dun-dun-da--- it was awesome. The entire crowd behind us started cheering and singing along. Nicole and I made it up the wall without a problem and we found ourselves just minutes away from Inti Punku. At this point I was a little miffed because Josh had been so far ahead of me all morning and never let me catch up. It turns out, he was just trying to keep up with Erick, who was running on a whole different kind of adrenaline. At the top of Inti Punku, while posing for a photo, Erick got down on one knee and proposed. I, of course, started crying. Once I cleared my eyes, I got my first really good look at Machu Picchu. It was surreal. I felt very emotional all day. Once we passed the Inti Punku, we leisurely hiked down to Machu Picchu and began our tour of the city. It was amazing. 
