OK, here's where things got crazy! So, after a lot of deliberation, we opted for a trek that was slightly less "adventurous" and more "cultural", which also eventually led us to Machu Picchu. "Less adventurous??!" Yeah, right! Anyway, it was certainly more cultural, as we had the wonderful experience of meeting a lot of of native Quechuan people along the way, which was great!
So the adventure started about 6am the first morning (Derek's birthday!) where we (us and 2 other girls) caught the "bus" (taxi) to a small town about 2 hours away from Cusco. Here we met up with our incredibly knowledgeable and cool guide (Simon-cha) and super-cook (Erasmo). We caught a crowded local bus up the mountain and ended up at Lares where we continued on foot. And so began the journey of "Team Condor" Yeah!! Before we started though, we were treated to a couple of hours at the local hot springs, and a yummy lunch. Roberto and his horses, Wesbo, Napoleon and Allesan joined us from here. They helped to carry our tents and "kitchen". We hiked for about 5 hours this day, and being a slightly "slow" Team Condor, we arrived a bit late and had to set up everything in the dark. Brrrrrr....freeeeezing cold too! After another great meal, and some nice shots of rum to warm us up, we all crashed out. Unfortunately though, sleep was not forthcoming, due to the freezing cold! In the morning, we could take a good look at the area, and discovered that we were surrounded by lakes, mountains and....llamas! Yay! So cute! Another early start, and we got in a good 7 hours worth of solid hiking. Still slow though, we couldn't make it over the 2nd mountain peak of the trek and had to camp in a small valley below which was still 3800 metres above sea level! Torture! Vanessa suffered horribly from altitude sickness and kept herself and the rest of the campers awake, unfortunately. Big thanks to Simon-cha and Erasmo for doing their best to provide all they could to make it go away!! No improvement by morning though, and while the rest of the crew started their ascent on foot, Vanessa was bundled onto a wee horse (Allesan), and led up the 4350 metre mountain. Everyone met up on top, and we were treated to gorgeous views of all the surrounding mountains and glaciers. We even saw a couple of avalanches! Scary!! From here on was all downhill...hours and hours of downhill trekking through valleys, rainforests, villages and Quechuan fiestas. Fun times. Lower altitude brought relief to the altitude sickness too. Yippeee! The trek was ended with a scrumptious lunch, and tearful good-byes. These pictures can never do the scenery justice, but we hope you enjoy them anyway. Better still...go yourself!!
Lares natural hot springs...scalding!!!!!!
Simon-cha and the butterfly effect.
Roberto, Erasmo, Vanessa, Natalie, Sara, and Derek in the dining tent.
Llamas galore!
Frosty morning in the Andes.
Happy Birthday Derek!! A birthday cake made by super-cook Erasmo using nothing but 2 wee burners......how??!!
After our first night camping
Almost there.....!
We made it!!
Baikin man makes friends with the locals
Simon-cha and Wesbo
Cute Quechuan kids who sang us a song!
Glaciers and llamas
A poorly Vanechan riding the horse up the mountain.
And then down again....
The highest point!
Mountain climbing llama
Goats on the run.
A chicha house.
Erasmo, Vanessa, Derek, Roberto, Simoncha, and Roberto say goodbye with a Quechuan song.
