Travels In Peru (Part 3) - Southern Exposure Tours

Our first steps over the bridge and onto the famous Inca Trail followed the river for a while and led us along a rocky path flanked by huge Aloe Vera plants. Local farmers were a constant source of delight, offering chicha, chocolates and drinks for sale. They live in simple stone or adobe huts and the kids welcomed us with smiles and walking sticks for sale. We obviously looked like we might need them!

After a few hours walking in the valley, we turned to head away from the river and came upon our lunch spot, overlooking an Inca site. What a surprise to find a long table with a colourful cloth set just for us. The food prepared by the porters was delicious, varied and a great mix of Peruvian and Western cuisine. We always started with soup, followed by pasta or meat and veg dishes.

It was a relief to find out that we didn’t have a long hike ahead to our campsite, having started our hike a little further back on the trail. The village we camped in was bustling with kids, farmers, chickens and donkeys. The latter of which gave me a friendly morning wake up by sticking its head in the door of my tent searching for bread! How wonderful to start the day amidst a rural Peruvian village with everyone going about their chores and getting their breakfasts (including the donkey!).















The benefit of camping on the lower slopes was short lived. Day two was to be the longest day on the trail and the toughest climb, up and over Dead Woman’s pass. The track zig zagged steeply up and out of the village, eventually heading into cloud forest and alpine grasslands full hummingbirds and orchids. The high altitude began affecting our breathing and walking pace slowed to a plod. After a good 4 hours we reached the summit of the pass, elated at the prospect of the first downhill section of the day.

Over the next couple of days we hiked the ancient stone path, over more passes, stopping at spectacular Inca sites and meandering though patches of forest and grasslands with jaw dropping views. Culminating with a 4.30am wake up for our last 4km walk to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu.  As the sun rose, we watched the mist rise above the ruins and gradually revealed what we had trekked all this way to see. Machu Picchu really came alive as our guide explained the sites and we explored the ancient Inca buildings high on this ridgetop.













To experience the wonders of Peru, call Silvana at Southern Exposure Tours 0800 804 737. The next Peru & Galapagos tour leaves in May 23rd 2012 and only has about 6 spots still available.

We also have a number of previous clients who are only too happy to talk to you about their trip experiences and our article on GrownUps “South America – For Kiwis By Kiwis".

Read Part One here.

Read Part Two here.

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