Inca Trail

     You might find information gleaned from various brochures interesting.  Machu Pichu which means "old mountain",  is located in the District of Machupicchu, Province of  Urubamba, 72.5 miles northwest of Cusco by rail.  It is part of the Vilcabamba Batolite formation, a mass of igneous rock 250 million years old consisting most commonly of a grayish-white granite.   Chronologically, it belongs to the period of the Inka State (c.1430 A.D.).

     From the city of Cusco there are two roads or royal highways which are two thousand miles long.  One goes along the plains while the other along the mountain tops.  The Inca Trail is a system of roads setting out from different points which lead to the Inca city of Machu Pichu.  The length of this trail is 35,450m.

    This trek would be the most challenging thing I have done.  I had prepared hard for this and I was ready!  The first day was the longest in terms of distance (15 km), rolling in terms of ascent and 2570m above sea level.  Most of us experienced headache and shortness of breath.  To minimize effect of high altitude, we drank coca tea and ate coca candies.

     Our group included guides and porters who carried our baggage, tents, food and even our commode.  These men are amazing in their ability to carry their substantial loads and run along the trails undaunted by the at times sheer drop along the sides of the trail.  Most wore only sandals, running shoes or flip flops.  A common occurence was the call of "porter" requiring us to move aside allowing the porters to pass.

 At the end of each day the porters set up our tents and had basins of hot water ready for us to clean up for "afternoon tea".

  It was amazing to have a chef with us on the trail, such wonderful desserts like banana flambe.  We quickly learned the term "yappa" which means more and "sumak" which means delicious.

 The nights proved cold, but I can honestly say I slept well even though tenting is NOT my thing.

Tomorrow, Dead Woman's Pass!