Day 1 - Friday 29^th August

Having arrived home in the early hours of the morning after visiting some friends my hopes of a nice long lie in were thwarted by the phone ringing just before 09:00.  I suppose 6 hours sleep wasn’t too bad!

Wearily I got up, went for a shower and set about the last few tasks that needed doing before departure.  Returning from the post office having dispatched all sorts of parcels to all sorts of friends I set about packing for the trip.

Experience gained from previous trips abroad ensured that packing was completed in less than one hour.  After a swift lunch and a few emails letting people know of the rough itinerary for the next few weeks it was time to make a move in the direction of Manchester airport.

Unusually for a trip beginning at Halewood train station it wasn’t raining, although the train was late.  The delays ensured that the connection on the way to Manchester led to undignified sprints between platforms.

Having arrived at Manchester airport I checked in to my BA flight bound for Heathrow.  Whilst in the departures lounge I made many phone calls to assure people that I will be fine on the trip, and even struck up an entertaining conversation with Sunderland FC chairman Niall Quinn.

The BA flight left on time and proved to be as luxurious as they always are.  We were even treated to amazing views of London and the Thames by street light = an incredible sight!

Landing at Terminal 5 I caught the Heathrow express train to Terminal 1 and waited for Paul and Sean to arrive on their flight from Belfast/

Sean and Paul arrived on time and before long we headed to Terminal 3.  Realising that nothing was open we moved on the train to Terminal 5 as we knew there would be plenty of space for us to spend the night.  Just on midnight we managed to buy some sandwiches for our breakfast and settled down for the long wait until our flight to Miami opened for check in.

Day 2 – Saturday 30^th August

Whilst Sean slept peacefully in his chair Paul and I chatted away the hours.  By 04:30 we started to organise our equipment ready for moving to Terminal 3.  Just after 05:00 we were sat waiting for the Heathrow express train and enjoying our breakfast whilst watching the impatient locals moan about having to wait 20 minutes for the next train.  London is certainly different from Skye!

Ambling around the departures lounge, after checking in, time passed quickly enough.  Paul bought himself a watch as his previous one broke just prior to the trip but apart from that the wait to board was pretty much uneventful.

Having boarded the flight bound for Miami we sat back and waited for the 9 hour journey to commence.  Fortunately with good company such flights never seem to last too long!

Although someone wearing perfume triggered my allergies the journey passed okay.  In fact I managed to enjoy three very entertaining films and before long the immigration cards were being completed in preparation for landing in the US.  Once on the ground we went through the rigmarole of entering the US through immigration just to collect our backpacks and check in our luggage bound for Lima in a few hours time.

With the luggage checked we then left the US and entered the departures lounge in search of food and a place to sit before our afternoon flight to Lima.  Despite the heat spirits were high as we looked forward to the final leg into Lima.  Sadly our flight was delayed due to a fuel spillage by our plane.  Once airborne Paul and I moved seats (we had been given separate seats for this flight) so we could sit together as Sean slept again.  Whilst flying across the Gulf of Mexico we could see the huge black cloud coverage of Hurricane Gustav.  What a sight that was!

With night falling our flight finally descended towards Lima.  Despite huge queues at immigration we finally arrived at our hostel at 12:30.  After quick showers it was off to bed in preparation for tomorrow.

Day 3 – Sunday 31^st August

Waking up at 06:00 by a very loud rooster we got up and slowly went about our business.  Having had our showers late last night we were very grateful given that there was no water available now!

Feeling human again after 5 hours sleep we checked out of our hostel and made the short journey to the airport.  With check in cleared quickly and our Sols and Dollars collected we were ready for Cusco.  In the departures lounge we tried some Salchipapa for breakfast and enjoyed a maize based fruit juice too.

Before long it was time to board to board our flight.  Whilst boarding the plane we spotted someone wearing a Liverpool FC top!  The Reds get everywhere!  During the flight I was again separated from Sean and Paul but for some reason I ended up in first class!  This was indeed a very nice way to travel to Cusco…

Having landed we collected our baggage and were picked up at the airport by Rosa, our hostel owner, and taken through the narrow streets of Cusco to our accommodation.

The hostel was lovely and we were treated to a room all to ourselves.  As soon as we arrived Lorenzo, our guide for the Inca trail, met us and discussed the logistics for the trip tomorrow.  With all the formalities completed and bills settled we went back to our room to pack.  This took a couple of hours but we took our time to ensure we gave ourselves every chance to acclimatise to the 11,000ft altitude in Cusco.

After packing we went out to enjoy the sights of Cusco (and enjoy the street side Lamas too!).  The heat and altitude ensured that we went slowly and didn’t even stop for lunch until 16:00!  The main square was stunning and plans for the trip were discussed in great length.  Over the next three hours we visited various travel agents, went back to the hostel to do internet research and return to town to make our reservations.  Our itinerary was coming together!

To celebrate afterwards we headed for a local restaurant to enjoy Alpaca and reflect on the plans made for the next three weeks.

With the Inca trail starting tomorrow, and still feeling the effects of the travel, we went to bed at 22:00 – thinking about the effect Hurricane Gustav was having in the US.

Day 4 – Monday 1^st September

After a stop-start night of sleep we were all awake before the alarm at 06:30.  We were all keen to start our Inca trail.

By 07:45 we had all our equipment ready and the remainder left in storage at the hostel.  Our guide Lorenzo collected us and ferried us from our hostel to the bus station.  We met up with the rest of our tour group (consisting of an Australian, German and two Americans).  Even on the bus the group clicked straight away, which suggested that we would all get on well together.

The bus journey to the start of the Inca trail took us to over 13,000ft passing the most incredible views along the way.  The road itself changed drastically between sharp hairpins making rapid ascents and deep sand which slowed progress down somewhat.

Just after midday we had arrived at the start of our mountain biking route.  The temperatures were soaring towards 40º and our bikes had dubious brakes and gears.

Setting off the first thing that struck us was the tremendous views along the Sacred Valley.  We pressed on at high speed although it soon became apparent that our American bikers were struggling with the heat and so we slowed down to ride as a group and look after them.  The ride seemed to improve with everyone staying together in one group.  I had collected my first ever mosquito bites but apart from that I was enjoying the ride.

Just as the heat started to fade Santa Maria came into view.  Our 5 hour ride had come to a conclusion but the views will never be forgotten.  It was good to rest my hands and bottom though!

After a very welcome shower we headed down to the hotel restaurant to enjoy a well earned beer and meal with the group.  The meal was superb with the most succulent beef I’ve ever had before.  The rest of the evening was spent chatting amongst the group before turning in to bed just before 22:00!

Day 5 – Tuesday 2^nd September

Having had a mixed sleep I felt fairly refreshed and ready for a long hike today.  After sorting out our gear we went for breakfast at 06:30.  Enjoying our pancakes and coca tea we had our briefing for the day from our guide Edgar.  Setting off at 07:00 we were treated to watching the sun rise in the Sacred Valley by the Uurbamba river.  The temperature soon started to soar into the mid 30s.  For some in our group this was going to be a very tough day.

Our guides made sure to point out all the interesting vegetation and even played the Peruvian pipes for us as we walked.  The path became very steep and it was 09:45n before we eventually stopped for a rest.  Paul was struggling with the heat and found the perfect solution – he filled his hat full of water and then putting it on his head!

We carried on upwards through the baking heat enjoying the incredible views.  The heat was making the trek very tough.  We were treated to participating in making an offering to the Inca gods.  This was a very moving ceremony and everyone was quiet for the next half an hour as we reached our lunch stop.

Due to the heat our lunch break lasted over 2 hours.  This was important as the temperature hit 37º.  After a huge lunch of spaghetti we set off again.  The views of the Urubamba river were unforgettable and the route levelled off ensuring that we enjoyed the hike more in the heat.

At 17:00 after making several river crossings we arrived at the hot springs near to Santa Teresa.  After 10 hours of hiking we were delighted to get changed and enjoy the hot springs.  What a fantastic way to relax after such a draining hike earlier in the day.

We stayed in the hot springs until 18:30 when we went for showers and tended to our mosquito bites.  Feeling less jaded after enjoying the springs we all grouped up together to discuss the day and what was waiting for us tomorrow.  Paul and I set up our tent for the night and went for tea at 20:00.  As yesterday we enjoyed each other’s company until time for bed, which was early again!

Day 6 – Wednesday 3^rd September

Waking up at 06:00 Paul and I clambered out of our sleeping bags and off our inflatable mattresses (a deflated mattress in Paul’s case!).  Enjoying a swim in the hot springs our aches and pains from yesterday had faded away.

After a quick shower we packed away our gear and headed for a truck which would take us to Santa Teresa.  The road was typically Peruvian meaning we bounced all over the place inside the van.  The views were fantastic and so was the breakfast in Santa Teresa.

After breakfast we got back in our baking hot truck and headed towards the start of our trek for the day.  We stopped off to see a huge waterfall.  Standing 50ft above the bottom we could still feel the spray.  The rest of the journey followed similar lines leaving everyone amazed.

Starting the trek we followed disused train tracks through the Sacred Valley.  The heat rose to 34º but we were enjoying the hike too much to care anymore.  The Urubamba river and the views of Machu Picchu high above us kept spirits very high as we went stepping over rickety old rail bridges and sleepers.

Just as midday approached Aguas Calientes came into view.  The temperature was still soaring and we were delighted to check into our hostel and head for lunch.  The lunch was beautiful with incredibly fresh vegetables.  Our guides announced that we would make another climb straight after lunch up Putucusi that had good views of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu.

The trek was tough with the heat and very steep wooden ladders (with missing rungs!) ensuring everyone pulled together on the acsent.  I reached the top at 15>20 and Sean and Paul arrived about 20 minutes later at the 11,480ft summit.  The views were truly breathtaking and left us all looking forward to tomorrow!

After an hour at the summit we descended very quickly and were back at the hostel for showers at 18:00.  An hour later we had tea, which led to bedtime in preparation for the early start tomorrow.

Day 7 – Thursday 4^th September

The alarm went off at 04:00 and I wearily got up.  This was going to be a tough and very rewarding day.  My backpack was full and very heavy with all the water that would be required for the day.  We had decided last night that Sean, Paul and I would only use one bag, which was of course mine.

The plan was for me to do the Machu Picchu trek and meet Sean and Paul at the end of the path after they had caught the bus up.  Just as we were about to depart Paul announced that he wanted to climb with me, and Sean agreed to join us.  This was good news!

The trek got underway in the silence with only head torches for light.  The group was progressing well up the trek and was enjoying the cool weather from the rain that was falling.  Near the top of the climb Luke, the Australian group member, realised he had left his knife at the hostel (which contained his money and Machu Picchu entrance ticket).  He set off rapidly downhill!

The remainder of the group arrived in at the entrance gates to Machu Picchu at 06:30.  Despite the rain our guided tour proved to be one of the highlights of any trip I have ever done.  The citadel is incredible and left everyone awe inspired.  The two hour guided tour flew by.  How do you describe such a place to someone that has never been before?

After our tour Paul and I started our trek up Wayna Picchu - Sean decided not to go as he was feeling a little unwell.  The trek was steep but easy due to the rainfall and subsequent lack of heat.  After a few minutes of climbing Luke caught up with us.  After arriving back at the hostel he had found all his belongings in his bathroom.  Happy to see Luke again we pressed on and reached the summit after 52 minutes.  The rain ensured that Machu Picchu did get covered in cloud although occasionally we were rewarded with the views we had hoped for.

                                                                                                                                          Next>>