Machu Picchu – Trek Day 5

June 20, 2013UncategorizedCoffee, Llactapata Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Orchids, Peru, photographyAndrew Seal Leave a comment

…Another glorious day hiking from the Colpa Lodge to the Lucma Lodge at Lucmabamba situated at a very manageable 7000 feet. Before leaving Pepe took us on a tour of Colpa Lodge’s orchid garden, which was a great start to the day. The trek took us down the Santa Teresa River Valley with the sound of the river heard flowing below us. We passed through coffee plantations and banana and avocado orchards. The vegetation was lush and quite different from the vegetation we have been seeing for the past few days high in the mountains. After a picnic break we were met by a small van that took us to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail, which is the original Inca Trail. It was then only a short thirty minute hike to Lucma Lodge. Once again we were greeted by the wonderful Mountain Lodges of Peru staff with cool cloths and cold fresh passion fruit drinks. I can still taste how refreshing it was as I write this. After a wonderful lunch it was Hilde’s highlight, the coffee plantation where the coffee beans were roasted, ground and filtered in front of us; can you smell that delicious aroma? No we didn’t ask for an Americano misto or a decaf latte, but we did buy two bags of beans to bring home to remind us of the day. In the evening we had our final dinner as a group as Carlos leaves us tomorrow. Words of thanks were expressed by all. We have become quite a family. Tomorrow will be our first sighting of Machu Picchu. Hard to believe that after months of anticipation and five days of at times exhausting hiking we’re almost there. I’m sure you’re as excited as we are…

Machu Picchu – Trek Day 4

June 19, 2013UncategorizedMachu Picchu, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Pachamanca BBQ, Peru, photographyAndrew Seal Leave a comment

…still no Internet but the blogging continues undaunted. Today could not have been more perfect; clear blue skies, warm sunshine, no rain, wind or hail! After battling the elements yesterday today was more than we could have hoped for. We left Wayra Lodge after breakfast and trekked downhill above the Salkantay River to arrive at the Colpa Lodge at Colpapampa in the afternoon, having descended from 12,812 feet to 9,414 feet. A picnic break mid-morning was interesting surrounded by the cast of animal farm! Throughout the hike our trail was lined by numerous exotic flowers as you can see. At Colpa Lodge we were welcomed and greeted with a Pachamanca lunch, which is a special Peruvian barbecue of lamb, chicken, beef, guinea pig, potatoes and beans. Once again the genuine warmth and grace of the staff has made us all feel very privileged to be in this beautiful country. Siesta time in the afternoon followed by a therapeutic jacuzzi under the stars, Pepe’s history of the Incas, dinner and bed. The highlight tomorrow for Hilde will be a visit to a coffee plantation where we will roast, grind, filter and drink fresh coffee – can’t wait. Hope you’ll join us…

Machu Picchu -2 Trek Day 3

June 19, 2013UncategorizedMachu Picchu, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Peru, photography, Salkantay PassAndrew Seal Leave a comment

…well, we made it as you can see. How to describe our nine hour hike through rain, hail, snow and wind (sounds like a painting by Turner): unforgettable, challenging, painful (at times), breathtaking (literally), and undoubtedly the hardest physical experience of our lives. But we wouldn’t have missed it for world. When we reached the Salkantay Pass at 15,213 feet and formed a circle I think we all felt a real sense of personal achievement, I know I did. However I have to thank Carlos who stayed with me at the back of the pack and gave me some of his home made medicine to inhale to help my breathing; I couldn’t have done it without him. After our great group photo it was downhill all the way, and will be until Machu Picchu; hooray! The lunch tent appeared in the mist like a wonderful mirage and after lunch a further one and a half hours brought us to The Wayra Lodge, jacuzzi, dinner and bed. Not before we had celebrated Dennis’s 50th birthday, a day that he will never forget. I know you won’t be reading this for a day or two as we have no WiFi once again, but I’ll keep on posting although the countdown title will have to end as I clearly got the number of days wrong way back when I started. Now it will be the Trek Day number until we reach our destination. Thanks for all your positive thoughts and good wishes…

Machu Picchu -3 Trek Day 2

June 19, 2013UncategorizedHumantay Lake, Machu Picchu, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Peru, photography, Pisco SourAndrew Seal Leave a comment

…After an early breakfast we set out in the rain on a two and a half hour hike to Humantay Lake situated at 14000 feet below Mount Humantay. In spite of the conditions, as the pictures show, it was worth the struggle, which it certainly was at times. We picnicked by the turquoise water of the lake before returning to the Lodge for lunch; I’ll vote for downhill any day! The afternoon was highlighted with jacuzzi time outside in the rain accompanied with a round of Pisco Sours, which we then had instruction on how to make before dinner. Just remember 3 1 1; three parts Pisco to one part each of fresh lime juice and cocktail syrup, plus half an egg white all blended together with ice…cheers! The staff here at the lodge have been wonderful and we shall miss them when we leave at 7am tomorrow morning for the most challenging day of the trek, hiking to the Salkantay Pass at 15,213 feet and descending to the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay. More tomorrow – I hope!…

Machu Picchu -4 Trek Day 1

June 19, 2013UncategorizedMachu Picchu, Mountain Lodges of Peru, Peru, photographyAndrew Seal Leave a comment

…and so after a seven o’clock start day one of our trek begins; Cusco to Soraypampa. We have a great group as you can see from the photo taken at our first stop at Quillarumiyuq, meaning moon stone, en route to the beginning of the trail at Marcoccasa. “We happy few” (a little Bard on the the Peak for Christopher) set off on a four hour hike excited, a little anxious but knowing we are in for the experience of a lifetime. Our senior guide is Pepe and his assistant Carlos. How lucky we are to have them lead us. The first hour was very challenging climbing it seemed at an angle of 70 degrees. Fortunately the remainder was very do-able with the trail lined by alpine flowers all the way. It was a welcome site arriving at the Salkantay Lodge situated at 12,690 feet with a feeling of relief and achievement. Refreshments awaited, and then a wonderful dinner of fresh trout, stargazing with Pepe; and so to bed. Wi Fi is very hit and miss so I don’t expect this will be posted for a day or two. Hopefully you will have faith and still be there…

Machu Picchu -5 Cusco

June 10, 2013Travels, UncategorizedCusco, Peru, photographyAndrew Seal View all 4 comments

…This morning we toured Cuzco and its surrounding archeological sites with our guide Juan who has been with us these past four days. We began at the spring shrine of Tambo Machay at nearly 3800 meters, but with all of our training there was no cause for allama 🙂 A party of kindergarten children was also visiting and looked so smart in their uniforms. Next we visited the magnificent ceremonial centre of Sacsayhuaman thought to be a sanctuary and temple to the sun. I hope the photos do justice to this amazing site. We ended our morning tour in Cuzco with visits to the cathedral and finally Qoricancha at Santa Domingo, The Temple of the Sun. Tonight we meet the other members of our group who we will be hiking with. The hike is organize by Mountain Lodges of Peru and if you visit their website you will see a description of our next six days together with a map of the trail: http://www.mountainlodgesofperu.com. I’m not sure how successful the blogging will be, but at least you will be able to follow our journey day by day. Hope to post again soon. Thanks for joining us…

Machu Picchu -6 The Sacred Valley

June 9, 2013UncategorizedPeru, photography, Pisac, The Sacred ValleyAndrew Seal Leave a comment

…Today was our final day in the Sacred Valley, which we spent in Pisac. All our training paid off as we hiked from the Inca ruins high above the town to end up at the colorful Sunday market and lunch at Donna Clorinda’s lovely local restaurant. The avocado salad was simply the best! We left the valley bathed in the late afternoon sun and some unforgettable “sacred” memories…

Machu Picchu -7 The Sacred Valley

June 8, 2013UncategorizedMaras, Moray, Peru, photography, salineras, The Sacred ValleyAndrew Seal View all 3 comments

…Another day full of remarkable sights and images. The terraced Inca crop circles at Moray date back to the 13th century, each level with its own microclimate. Then on to the pre-Incan salineras or salt pans at Maras, which create a stunning abstract landscape. Something for the studio when we´re home. We then hiked down to the valley, pausing to enjoy the beauty of the Urubamba river before lunch and a quite afternoon to help acclimatize to the altitude. On to Pisac and Cusco tomorrow before meeting our hiking group on Monday evening. It´s getting closer!…

Machu Picchu -8 The Sacred Valley

June 8, 2013UncategorizedChinchero, Ollantaytambo, Peru, photography, The Sacred ValleyAndrew Seal View all 2 comments

…We are now in the Sacred Valley. What a day with unforgettable visits to Chinchero, mythical birthplace of the rainbow, and Ollantaytambo. I’ll let the pictures to the talking. Enjoy…

Machu Picchu -9 Lima

June 6, 2013UncategorizedInca market, Larco Museum, Lima, photographyAndrew Seal View all 3 comments

…After a good night’s sleep and a king’s breakfast we’re off to explore this historic city founded in 1535 and formally known as the City of Kings. We are looking forward to visiting the Inca market, Government Palace, Cathedral, Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. The XVII century church and cloister of San Francisco with its catacombs will be a highlight, particularly having visited the Basilica di San Francesco in Assissi a few years ago. We also hope to visit the Larco Museum to see its incredible collection of Peruvian and Pre-columbian art. Apparently the collection is famed for its erotic pottery, which on a G-rated blog I won’t be posting. You’ll just have to use your imagination! Finally we will visit the ruins at Huaca Pucllana where we plan to have dinner. Better hurry, lots to see…