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| Peru Trek 2008 Updated 14th December 2008 |
We finished the trek on October 14th with fundraising finishing in November. It was an awesum experience. A real life experience filled with great times, bad times and a real sense of achievement from doing the trek and raising all the money. The trek itself was exceptionally tough. We were nowhere near the normal tourist trail, which is 3 days in touristville. Our trek took us completely off the beaten track for 6 days, walking through totally secluded wilderness and away from civilisation, where the only way to get is by foot or helicopter. Across The Divide are the only company allowed to do it as they employ professional doctors to accompany the trek. We stayed in places that were boiling hot, freezing cold, extremely wet, higher than any mountain in Europe, and in area's that really are the danger zone when it comes to altitude sickness. The highlight of the trek was our climb to big mountain at Machu Picchu. Dont get this confused with the actual ruins that all the tourists go to. The trek up to big mountain is something hardly anybody does when they go there, and they're missing the experience of a lifetime. We trekked and literally climbed up the mountain that overlooks the ruins for 3 hours. It was one of the scariest and toughest things most of us had done, and photo's just done do it justice. Climbing up brocken rocks on a sheer cliff side on an original Inca Trail (not like the ruins that have been rebuilt because of tourists), this was definitely the achievement to mark the fact that we earn't all the sponsorship. |
Thank you so much to everybody that helped. The trek was an amazing experience, knowing all the time the one reason i was there is to raise money for Parkinson's. It's a cruel disease and exceptionally tough for all those involved. In total our group raised over £120,000 (the original target was £75,000), and the money raised goes a huge way to helping all sufferersand do everything possible to find a cure. Please take some time to find out about Parkinson's and considering doing your bit to help. Go to www.parkinsons.org.uk. Thanks so much. James Walters and Laura Walters. James & Laura on Trek Peru
CLICK HERE FOR THE TREK GALLERY Click HERE to see the diary with video of our progress each day |
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DAY 1 SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER
UK - PERU
We board our international flight for Peru. On arrival in Lima we are met by the Expedition Leader and transferred by coach to our hotel where we will have an orientation briefing.
Transfer: 45min
We fly from London Heathrow to Lima via Amsterdam, departing London early morning and arriving Lima late the same day, their time.
DAY 2 SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER
LIMA - CUZCO - SACRED VALLEY - CACHICATA
We leave Lima for our short flight to Cuzco (situated at a height of 3,400m). On arrival we take a short transfer coach to the Cross Keys bar in Cuzco for a cup of coca tea and then head on to the Sacred Valley. A short walk will bring us into camp at Cachicata (2,910m) where the Expedition Leader will give a full trek briefing.
Flight: 55min
Altitude: 2,910m
Camping
DAY 3 MONDAY 6 OCTOBER
CACHICATA - SOCQMA
After a short walk to the bus, we will travel to Ollantaytambo, one of the most typically Incan towns in existence. After a two hour tour of the ruins we return to the busd and head to Rapcca (2,965m) for a lunch. After lunch we walk up to our overnight camp at Soqma (3,205m).
Altitude: 3,205m
Camping
Film after 3rd days trek
DAY 4 TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER
Taking a look at the facilities we've got for the next week.
Up at 6am on the 4th day. Climbing high and up in the clouds in the morning
SOQMA - CORIMARCA
The morning walk is a reletively steep ascent. We climb through dramatic scenery and past a stunning waterfall to the Perol Nyoc ruins at 3,520m, which were rediscovered and cleared by the local ATD support team. After lunch there is another steep climb to our camp on the Inca Terraces at Corimarca (3,740m). We are lucky to be the only people to camp at this beautiful and hidden site.
Altitude: 3,740m
Camping
Looking out our tent at the end of the 4th day. My cold is really kicking in
DAY 5 WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER
Getting ready for the hardest day, up over 14,000 feet. Cold's terrible,
terrible sleep and Laura's feeling the altitude sickness.
Stopping for some lunch in the middle of nowhere!
Film at one of the highest points on the 5th days trek
Film at the highest point of the trek, 14,400 feet! during 5th days trek
Film during 5th days trek. In the danger zone for altitude sickness.
Been trekking for 3 days and the only way out is helicopter.
My cold is terrible. Completely blocked up, cant hear anybody, head throbbing
CORIMARCA - ANGASCOCHA
Today is the longest and hardest day of the challenge. After an early start, we climb upwards over a long, steep, zigzagging route to Charca Huaylla Pass (4,395m). The climb then flattens out slightly (although the route continues upwards) to the highest point of the trek at Chanca Chuco Pass (4,445m). From the top of the pass the views of the snow covered peaks and the Sacred Valley below are asolutely spectacular. After celebrating our success at reaching the top we make a short descent to some much needed tea and lunch. The afternoon is long, as we walk on a rising and falling trail to a cliff path that descend steeply to a stream crossing. A further gentle climb takes us into our overnight camp at Angascocha School, where ATD has helped the local community by building small bridges. The high altitude and relatively remoteness of the camp means we are in for another chilly night.
Altitude: 3,958m
Camping
Completely blocked up, head throbbing, haven't slept properly for 4 days.
Had enough, want to go home. Tonight it's going to freeze the tents
DAY 6 THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER
Had some sleeping tablets, my cold has returned to just feeling like a normal cold.
Feeling good about going down the mountain and away from the altitude.
Another complete change in scenery.
Going more like rainforest, but that means spiders, mosquitos and bugs.
ANGASCOCHA - CAMICANCHA
The day begins with a long, easy descent through a canyon into the orchid and humming bird habitat of Elfin Forest, following the line of the river as it descends towards the Sacred Valley. After lunch we continue with an easy descent into the Sacred Valley and our overnight camp at Camincancha (2,960m). We can expect warmer temperatures from now on.
Altitude: 2,960m
Camping
Really tough day, decending for 5 hours solid on really uneven rocky paths.
Some food, Peruvian stylee. Ray Mears eat your heart out!
DAY 7 FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER
CAMICANCHA - KM82
Today we are able to have a later start and our walk follows the contours of the Sacred Valley. After a relatively short monring's walk we reach a eucalyptus forest close to Chillca Bridge (2,888m) where we have a long relaxing lunch. The afternoon's walk will be reletively easy over undulating terrain. Our trail passes through Arid Montane habitat including Cactus forest and takes us to our lovely campsite at Piscaycucho 'aka' Kilometre 82 (2,736m).
Altitude: 2,800m
Camping
Down in altitude, although still at 3,000 metres. Getting closer to touristville
DAY 8 SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER
This has been the day of a lifetime. Stood at the top of Big Mountain after
literally climbing up. Hardly any tourists ever go here, but it's definitely
something that everybody should be lucky enough to experience.
Unbelieveably tough and a massive sense of achievement.
KM82 - AGUAS CALIENTES
After a short walk to the station we board our train for the journey from Kilometre 82 to Aguas Calientes. We will then travel by bus up the switchbacks of the road carved out of the mountain side to the Machu Picchu entrance and begin our final climb up Machu Picchu Mountain. After admiring the spectacular view from the top we descend to the sun gate and into the ruins for a brief walk. A bus takes us down to the town of Aguas Calientes and our hotel where we can shower and celebrate our achievments.
Train: 40 minutes
Hotel
We're in a hotel, but still there's no hot water. Well not for me,
as I had my first shower as soon as we arrived, but for everybody else the
power went off and the water only ran ice cold. Nice.
DAY 9 SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER
AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO
Today gives us a second chance to experience the wonder of Machu Picchu. A dawn wake up call to catch the bus allows us to catch the sun as it rises above this most enigmatic of Incan sites. On arrival we are given a guided tour of the ruins, after which we are free to explore at our leisure. We take the bus back down to the hotel for lunch before loading up our private train wagon for our return to Cuzco. In the evening, we have a free night in Cuzco.
Hotel
DAY 10 MONDAY 13 OCTOBER
CUZCO - LIMA - UK
A morning flight to Lima leaves us with some free time before our flight back to the UK. We are able to leave our bags with the local agent before having lunch and the option of a visit to the Indian Market or the city centre. We catch the bus to the airport for our flight home.
Transfer flight: 55min
We fly from Lima to London Heathrow via Amsterdam, departing Lima early evening and arriving back in Lond early afternoon the following day.
DAY 11 TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER
ARRIVE BACK IN THE UK