Saturday, November 12, 2005
South America Trip - Day 22 - Inca Trail Day 1
Ok, so if you want to lose weight fast here´s how to do it:
1. Choose the Inca trail for your first trek ever - four days of steep up and down hill hiking at altitude, 42 km in total)
2. Get a stomach bug on the first day - causing stomach pains, the runs and not being able to eat anything
Despite these complications I had an amazing time. Turning back was not an option and I had wonderful Joseph to stay back and walk at my sloth like pace and support me.
Today we drove to the 82km mark and went through the checkpoint. Our local guide Antonio was with us from the start and two of our 12 porters (including the chef and his assistant) met us after the check point. You have to study for 5 years before you can become a guide. On the trek we carried our own day packs but we where also allowed an extra 7 kgs of stuff (including our sleeping bags) that the porters carried. Apart from this the porters also carried the tents, food and cooking equipment, camp equipment etc. Amazing. These guys race ahead with at least 20 kgs on their backs! We were in awe of them.
We walked over undulating but steadily rising terrain up the valley. As we walked we were passed by locals in traditional dress on their way to their villages. We also saw some school children. In the villages they sell drinks, ponchos, snacks etc. It rained on and off through out the day. After around 5 hours walking we arrived at the first campsite to applause from the porters who had set up the campsite and had afternoon tea ready for us. A wonderful dinner was ready an hour and a half later. This was five star treatment.
After chatting about the day we settled into our two man tents and tried to sleep (not an easy task at altitude, in the cold and on air bed rolls).
1. Choose the Inca trail for your first trek ever - four days of steep up and down hill hiking at altitude, 42 km in total)
2. Get a stomach bug on the first day - causing stomach pains, the runs and not being able to eat anything
Despite these complications I had an amazing time. Turning back was not an option and I had wonderful Joseph to stay back and walk at my sloth like pace and support me.
Today we drove to the 82km mark and went through the checkpoint. Our local guide Antonio was with us from the start and two of our 12 porters (including the chef and his assistant) met us after the check point. You have to study for 5 years before you can become a guide. On the trek we carried our own day packs but we where also allowed an extra 7 kgs of stuff (including our sleeping bags) that the porters carried. Apart from this the porters also carried the tents, food and cooking equipment, camp equipment etc. Amazing. These guys race ahead with at least 20 kgs on their backs! We were in awe of them.
We walked over undulating but steadily rising terrain up the valley. As we walked we were passed by locals in traditional dress on their way to their villages. We also saw some school children. In the villages they sell drinks, ponchos, snacks etc. It rained on and off through out the day. After around 5 hours walking we arrived at the first campsite to applause from the porters who had set up the campsite and had afternoon tea ready for us. A wonderful dinner was ready an hour and a half later. This was five star treatment.
After chatting about the day we settled into our two man tents and tried to sleep (not an easy task at altitude, in the cold and on air bed rolls).
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