After a mixed nights sleep, being woken at 2am by the rain, we were awoken at 6am by the porters bringing hot drinks to our tents. Talk about service. Shelley is on the coca tea whilst I think I have adjusted to the altitude now and no longer require coca power. Breakfast followed shortly which consisted of Pancakes each with our name spelt out in chocolate, how sweet.
A rough map of the Inca Trail showing its profile
Setting off early at 7am we aimed to to gain some height before the Sun got going. Within a couple of hours we had climbed to the highest peak on the trail at 4,200m (from 3,000m) with Shelley racing to the summit fuelled by all the coca leaves she and Frank had been munching on all morning. On reaching the summit the temperature dropped rapidly and the drizzle started, not before a friendly stray dog appeared which after checking out everyones snacks made a quick exit down the 2 hour descent.
Shelley looking very warm at 4,200m fuelled by coca leaves
We managed to make it to lunch about 30 seconds before a down pour started and had to rely on poncho power to make it to the next summit, at this altitude we are above the clouds which constantly changes the views along with the weather.
Shelley and Frank make it to camp just before the downpour
In the afternoon the rugged landscape gave way to dense mist covered forest. As we descended through the clouds a magnificent Inca Fortress came into view at the top of a tree covered valley surrounded by snow capped mountains. The view and atmosphere was stunning, humming birds zooming around us whilst we took view of clouds rising from the forest.
On arriving at camp were are two warm bowls of water with soap outside of each tent, with a porter standing by with a kitchen roll so you can dry your hands. I decided to wash my feet this evening as after 9 hours of walking my socks were starting to smell a little. Sitting down on the gravel floor I soon realised that I had no where to place my wet feet to dry them, until a porter swiftly found a rock for me to stand on. Upon standing up my backside was covered in wet gravel, as I tried to clamber into the tent a porter before I could stop him, wasted no time in starting to dust me down much to Shelleys amusement.
As we settled down for the evening our guide Nancy asked if any of us had strange dreams the night before. Apparently the camp site we stayed in was on top of an old Inca graveyard. People have previously been know to have some very strange dreams staying there, nothing to do with the altitude or all the coca im sure. Apparently the only thing we needed to worry about this evening were the Pumas and the occasional Mountain bear. As Shelley had eaten nearly all the chocolate I slept easy.
Highlights: More amazing scenery and some very good service.
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