Inca Jungle Trek…Mojado!!

March 5th, 2009 by Gabrielle Armstrong

On Saturday I left Cusco behind to embark on the epic Inca trail! Unfortunately the traditional Inca route is closed during February for maintenance. So I decided to try out the hardcore jungle version….
For 4 days, we biked and walked our way closer to the almighty wonder that is Machu Picchu! The first day we began on bikes, cycling down through the jungle region situated to the South of Machu. We began on the road firstly (Where I was informed a girl had been killed 2 weeks b4 when she was hit by a bus!! just to put me at ease!) But the majority was downhill through streams and dirt paths, so naturally I ended up absolutely soaked and with RSI in my hands because the Peruvians have never heard of shock absorbers! Although I whinge, it was actually really fun, the rain was pouring but I still had a smile on my face!
The next day, I woke up with the worst butt-ache from biking, saturated boots and the prospect of a 9 hour up hill hike! However, our tour guide came up with the best idea to put plastic bags in our boots, to stop our feet getting so wet!! The trek took us through jungle terrain and alongside Rio Urubamba, which we had to cross. Instead of taking a bridge as normal people would do, in pairs we sat in a box, suspended on a rope 30 ft above the river and where catapulted across to the other side! The next stop was the hot springs near Santa Theresa, after such a long day walking in my soggy boots, the geothermal baths were bliss! I also had some pure homemade Peruvian chocolate, served with honey it was SO good!
We still had to walk up a hill to Santa Theresa, in pitch black and arrived to find we would be staying in all I can basically describe as a shack! It had a corrugated roof, which leaked and some very questionable bedspreads. However, all those years camping as a child and possibly the cervezas that night didn’t deter me from having a decent kip!
Day 3 was an easier day that consisted mostly walking along a frequented railway and occasionally having to launch into the bushes like one of the Railway Children to avoid being hit by a train. Nevertheless, I had the most amazing Trout for lunch, served with scrummy homemade guacamole from avocados we picked along the way. The only horrific part about the day was that my brand new camera decided to die on me, which meant I would be going to Machu sin camera!!!
Once we reached Aguas Calientes, it was time to get some rest before the 4am hike up to Machu Picchu Mountain itself! I was so excited; I felt like a kid on xmas day and kept waking up every hour! The walk up there was itself horrendous and I cursed myself for not just getting the bus up there instead. It felt like climbing up a massive never ending staircase in the dark, but once I finally reached the top it was well worth it. Once the mist cleared the picturesque view of the Machu Picchu ruins and Wayna Picchu Mountain was unveiled. It doesn’t disappoint, and although I was cold, tired and wet it made my trip so far!
After a guided (Spanish) tour of the impeccably preserved ruins, it was time to climb up Wayna! The walk up was piece of cake after the horrendous walk up to Machu! And the atmosphere at the top was great, everyone sunbathing on rocks, looking down on Machu waiting to catch a glimpse once the clouds cleared! After walking back down, I was pretty exhausted and luckily 2 Canadian guys offered me and John their bus tickets back to Aguas….SWEET! After a long train and bus ride we finally got back to Cusco absolutely exhausted yet still buzzing after a really awesome, once in a lifetime trip!