Journey with Christina

One of the highlights of our year-long journey was to hike the 4 day Inca Trail with my brother and Jon’s friend Kyle. This required a lot of planning as the trek had to be booked 5-6 months in advance due to its popularity and limit on number of people per day. I researched tons of Company’s and finally chose Alpaca Expeditions. I chose this Company due to the fact that they were Peruvian owned by a man who had actually been a porter himself, they supported the community but most importantly due to the fact they treated their porters well. The porters are the backbone of the trek. They carry all of your stuff, the food, cooking supplies, and even a toilet and have it magically set up by the time you arrive at camp. Our Guide Julio was also fantastic, he started out as a porter and went to school working his way up to a guide. His love and knowledge of his country and the Incan sites was infectious. We were lucky enough to have only us and one other women, who we named Rocket, in our group.

Our toilet for the trek and porters carrying their 50 pound packs.

The Inca Trail is a famous 26-mile trek along and old Inca route starting just outside Olllantaytambo and ending at the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu. On the first day we were picked up at the ungodly hour of 4:30 where we were still seeing people pour out of the bars from the night before. I was able to squeeze in one last shower before we left but the water stopped working on Jon mid-shower and he had to finish up using a bottle of water. After a three hour drive we arrived at the start of the hike where the porters set up our first breakfast. I have to say we were spoiled as far as food is concerned on this trip. Every breakfast, lunch, happy hour and dinner was full of fresh vegetables, a variety of choices and flavor.

The start of the trail.

The first day was relatively easy 5-6-hour hike starting at an elevation of 2600 meters gaining about 400 meters during the course of the day. The incline was slight or “tourist flat” and followed the Urubamba river and passed by the Inca ruins of Llaqtapata. We also passed by many small villages where we could buy last minute snacks and provisions.

Our group, ruins seen from the trail on the first day and our first night camp site.

The second day was by far the most difficult. It was a grueling 11-hour day with and ascent of 1100 meters over Dead Women’s Pass, the highest point of the trail. Only to find out we had to march right back down and then up again. At the final store (women selling items they carried up off of a table) we purchased a bottle of rum to share with the porters and our guide that evening. They made us a delicious drink of hot rum, black tea, lime, orange and sugar and we took turns introducing ourselves and giving a little background. The youngest porter was 21 and the oldest 53! When it was Jon’s turn he gave a little background and then said we was not married but in “lust” with his wonderful girlfriend, and pointed at me. Yes, you read that right, he said “lust” and not “love”. Rocket quickly covered for him by saying it’s a four letter word that begins with the letter L. I’m not sure where all this lust is but I can guarantee to that our tent was cold at night.

First view on the second day, Jon and my brother purchasing rum for the evening from the “store”, hike up to Dead Women’s pass, me and my brother with view over Dead Women’s Pass.

Our second night campsite.

Our group with our porters and our special rum drink.