Walk the Inca trail – South America

“Things turned ugly as the rain went from a light drizzle to an angry downpour and both Sarah and Togi had to stop every few steps to be sick. While I am so sorry they had to go through that, I know that selfishly it helped me get through this, the most challenging part of the Inca Trail. Kate and I wordlessly took on the role of group cheerleaders, calling out chants through the rain and providing water and coca-leaf candy to our patients.”

“Our favorite day was day 2, also the most challenging. Day 2 started with a straight-up steep 3 ½ hour climb to the highest summit of 4200 meters (from 3000 meters at our camp). It was a beautiful hike in the jungles early in the morning. The air was fresh and sweet, the huge trees and flowers decorated the trail, with waterfalls adding the perfect background music. As we climbed up, jungles gave in to shrubs, flowers were replaced by moss clinging to rocks, and the air was getting thinner and thinner.”

“Day 2 – frigging hard – up one mountain and down and then up and down another smaller mountain – again camp around 4 or 5. We started at 6am. I had to start 4.45am as I was slow. Day 3 – the easier day apparently – less harder than days 1 and 2 but still hard – later start and earlier finish. Day 4 – get up at 3am and pack everything away as porters have to take it all back. We then go and wait at the entrance to the park which opens at like 5.30. The walk to the Sun Gate – then walk to MP. Do the tour of MP and then leave back to Aguilas Caliente – arriving around 11.30am.”