Before we write about our trek to Machu Picchu we have some news:
Whilst overlooking Machu Picchu from Wynu Picchu, I asked Aimi if she would marry me. She cried and then said yes. Phew!!
It wasn´t the easiest proposal, as Aimi became quite angry that the Incas could just be given a bride without the brides consent. "If some guy wanted to marry me I would say NO!" Great I thought. I had been planning to ask her here for about a year, and it could have blown up in my face. Luckly I managed to steer the conversation back, swallowed hard and asked the question. It was perfect.
Won´t be getting married for another 18 months, as need to get home, get a home, and a job.
But for now, we wanted to share it with all. We´re off to celebrate again!! and will update shortly. .......................................
There are two ways to witness the spectacle of Machu PIcchu, by train taking no more than 4 hours or by foot taking no more than 4 days! We opted for the latter and would recommend to anyone who wishes to visit Machu Picchu to do the same if given the opportunity. Totaling 32km the ancient trek winds its way up and down and around the mountains giving rise to some spectacular scenery and ancient ruins before finally arriving at Machu Picchu. At times it certainly tests your ability as you reach altitudes of 4200m and each step becomes painstakingly hard. The notorious dead woman’s pass a steep assent to the highest point has to be the worst part of the trail, but thankfully we climbed half the way on the first day and the other half on the second day. Throughout the entire trek though your stamina is put in perspective as you witness porters laden down with 25kg of equipment strapped to their backs, often bigger than their entire self’s, racing past you without breaking into a sweat. The majority of these porters are farmers, know as campesinos from the highlands who come to Cusco for work in low season, aging from 16 years old to 60, of both sexes. It is truly incredible to witness such strength, and heart breaking knowing they are getting paid next to nothing for their hardship in return for what you pay to the companies running the tours. Even then only a small proportion actually goes back in to the conservation of Machu Picchu.
Cutting to the chase and rant over, the pinnacle of the trek has to be reaching Machu Picchu and seeing the site for the first time. It all begins at some ungodly hour at 4am in the morning, following a trail by torch light with hundreds of eager tourists racing towards the sun gate. We took a more leisurely approach, lead by our guide Eloy who looked upon it as a pilgrimage rather than a race, which certainly made it more enjoyable for us. Normally on reaching the sungate you can take time to watch the sun rise and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu but as it was cloudy and the sunrise was not for another hour we made our way past the hoards of tourists and arrived at Machu PIcchu whilst it was still relatively deserted. Seeing it in its entirety is truly amazing and a truly unforgettable experience, an entire city set amongst the mountains, constructed with such precision, and abandoned before it was even properly finished. Looking around the sight takes a good few hours to give you an idea of scale and gives you a real insight in to how the Incas would have lived for the short time they occupied it before the Spanish came over and destroyed this civilisation.
To top this experience Paul and I both decided that Machu Picchu would not be complete without climbing up Huayna Picchu and having a birds-eye view...though now I realise he had another reason for climbing it! It takes a further hour to summit this peak which is steep but well worth the effort; giving panoramic views of Machu Picchu and the valley. It is from here that Paul proposed to me, putting me literally on cloud 9 and without getting too mushy for you all made it an unforgettable experience!
