The Inca trail was the main reason I chose to come to Peru in South America.
There had been many people, including friends, who had already done this incredible trek and had informed me of what an amazing experience it was.
Even Roy and Sue in their 60’s had completed this trail to the seventh wonder of the world, Machu Picchu. It was one for the bucket list and I was blissfully ignorant of how hard it was going to be.
First day – 13kms, mostly flat with the last 30 minutes vertical stairs at an altitude of about 3000 metres above sea level.
It was a 6am start at the hotel in Cuzco and all we could bring with us on this 4 day hiking experience was a 5kg bag for the porters to carry and a day pack that would be with us at all times.
British Gemma, who was a camping rookie like myself and quite the comedic pessimist – ‘I just don’t think I can do this. We’re going to be waking up at the crack of dawn, walking the whole day, then sleeping, then walking, then sleeping, then walking, and doing this for 4 days!’
T – It’ll be fine. But you know what my biggest fear is? Toilets. My biggest worry is not being able to go to a toilet when I need to.’
Gemma – ‘Well, I can’t even pee in the bush let alone do a number 2. I’m just NOT going to go for 4 days.’
T – ‘The imodium wont stop the farting.’
Gemma – ‘shit!’
T – ‘Exactly.’
We begin the trail around Km 82 along the Urubamba River, then start moving in a steady incline around the mountains. Nothing too dramatic, and we get to stop every 20 minutes to view Inca ruins with an explanation from the guide.
It’s not until the final 5th hour that we really get into the tougher stairs and steep paths with fewer stops.
Gemma to Cansu, (an Australian student studying in Chile), in between pants – ‘When we can breathe, we’re going to have a proper moan about all this.’
We make it to camp before dark, exhausted, with Gemma describing her first bush toilet experience as being ‘like a scene out of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’, and though we may have different reasoning behind it, I could totally relate to this description.
Tiara in Transit 