2006: A Wrohan Odyssey

Trekking to Machupicchu

Well, our trek to Machupicchu was a success!! After spending a few nights in Cusco to adjust to the altitude (3,400 mts) we began our four day long expedition through the Peruvian Andes. What an amazing adventure it proved to be!

We were led by our guide Jose through the Sacred Valley of the Inca and further along "Paccha Mama" or "Mother Earth" until we successfully conquered the Ipsay Qasa Pass which rose up to an astounding 15,000ft!! A height that I certainly had never seen before by foot. The trek was difficult but incredibly rewarding. As we passed through snow capped mountains, littered with llamas and alpacas it humbled both Chris and I with a new respect for those who lived there.

What a view!

Wrohan power shot.

A much deserved beer after a LONG day of trekking

Fortunately for us we were able to meet numerous locals dressed in their famous cultural dress, all woven by hand with exquisite colors and Andean iconography. One family even invited us into their home made of stone with thatched grass for the roof. There, we sat on llama skin and watched dozens of guinea pigs run around our feet. Yes, that's right...here guinea pig is considered a delicacy and families will raise them in their houses until they are old enough to eat...Chris and I have yet to try one since we both are flooded with memories of our precious childhood pets but rest assured, we will try one soon.

Chris giving a local girl some food and school supplies

After a few days of trekking we decended down to the town of Aguas Calientes where we spent the night and awaited our 4:30am wake up call to prepare for Machupicchu. The ancient city itself came to life over the few hours we were there. We arrived at 6am and saw the morning sun kiss the ruins of the "lost" city of the Incas. The view was simply breathtaking and the lush grass and intricate stone architecture certainly felt as though a power greater than we could imagine had constructed such beauty. I like to think that being there was as close to the gods as one could reach.

At long last we made it to Machupicchu!

So here we are now, sitting in a small internet cafe in Aguas Calientes baffled by the experience of the last four days. Leaving with only our memories I am undoubtedly sure that this trek has been the highlight of our journey so far. The fellow trekkers that we shared it with, the hiking and camping, the sights, smells and sounds have all contributed to memories that we won't soon forget.

Posted by bex at September 26, 2008 8:29 AM