DAY 1
Saturday 17th May 2008
London-Amsterdam-Lima

The journey has begun!! And once again the phrase "its not going to be easy" was put to the test! after arriving at the central bus station at Heathrow Gill and I were surprised to find the only way to get to terminal 4 was by taxi and at 3am this wasnt cheap! Luckily for us a kind gentleman offered to share with us and we finally met up with the group and proceed with the difficult task of automatic check-in!

We finally all made it through security and before we knew it we had boarded the plane and arrived in Amsterdam. We had just enough time to get to the next gate for our connecting flight. The flight to Lima was only 13 hours but felt more like 24! The flight was eventually over but unfortunately one of the people from our group didnt have their luggage arrive, hopefully it will arrive tomorrow!

After checking in at the hotel we had dinner and a wander around the plaza near the hotel. Next stop shower before the early morning wake up call tomorrow!


DAY 2
Sunday 18th May 2008
Lima-Cuzco

We have finally arrived at altitude at Cuzco. We were told to prepare for cold weather but were happy to arrive to bright sunlight and warm temperature. A few people are struggling with the altitude but so far I can say I feel ok, slightly out of breath but nothing serious- although that may have something to do with the 4 cups of cocoa tea which surprisingly doesnt taste too bad!!

This afternoon we have been on a gentle walking tour to see the sights of Cuzco. The views over the mountains are amazing and I am sure the photos will not do it justice!

We have been told to prepare for a cold night so we have the thermals and sleeping bags at the ready!


DAY 3
Monday 19th May 2008
Cuzco

It was fairly chilly last night but not too bad! Managed to have a lie in until almost 8 although I have been awake on and off since 4 (thats the trouble with going to bed at 8!!)

The lost luggage has finally arrived thankfully!!

A group of us have had a leisurely tour of Cuzco today. We have visited the Inca mueseum which houses ancient Inca artifacts and some Inca mummies. We also went to Cuzco Cathedral which was amazing inside! This may sound like a holiday but it was also the important part of the trip- time spent acclimatising to the altitude!!

The group all had dinner together back at the hotel and 2 of the group did a speech about their charity, The National Deaf Children Society. After them George (a fellow NAS fundraiser) spoke about The National Autistic Society and autism. I am not impressed with him as he made me stand in front of 40 people and talk too!! and you all know how much I hate public speaking!!


DAY 4
Tuesday 20th May 2008
Cuzco

Another early morning wake up call for a day tour of Cuzco! Our first stop was Saqsaywamen, an ancient Inca site. The view over Cuzco from here was amazing! we were at our highest point so far in the trip 3700m above sea level.

From there we went to another site called Pisac where we had a 2 1/2 hour hike along another part of the Inca trail. Once again the views were fantastic, the walk was tiring but gave us a taste of things to come.

On arrival back at the hotel it was time to pack our duffle bags for the trek, we are allowed 8kgs, luckily mine only weighed 5 which meant there was plenty of space to fill up with nutritional supplies for the trek (ok so the supplies we sweets and chocolate!!)


DAY 5
Wednesday 21st May 2008
Cuzco-Inca Trail

The day of the trek ahs finally arrived and after a 5am wake up call we were on our way. We stopped at a small town on our way and I purchased a "magic stick" and a water bottle holder that have become invaluable!

After a short stop we headed on to KM82 to all start the trail. The first uphill was a struggle but we soon got used to it.

Our guides gave talks along the way, once again the views were out of this world! As we walked along at a steady pace the porters rushed by carrying 20kgs of stuff each, the really must be super human!

We arrived at the lunch stop and the porters had erected the mess tent and cooked a wonderful spread of food. Unfortunately I came over all funny and didnt feel well enough to eat it. But I plodded on! I stayed at the back at a slow pace under doctors orders.

this afternoon was tough as there was lots of up and down hills and the sun was beating down on us.

We were relieved once the sun had gone behind the mountains and it got a bit cooler.

The last uphill to camp was torture and I have never been so pleased to see a tent in my life! By the time I got to camp I was feeling much better! Once again the mess tent was up with hot drinks and popcorn ready for us, you would have thought it was a meal from a 5 star restaurant for how pleased we all were! And then a few hours later the porters excelled themselves again with a wonderful dinner!

From our camp we have the most amazing view of a snow capped mountain! The views make all the hard work worthwhile!


DAY 6
Thursday 22nd May 2008
Inca Trail (day 2)

Today was tough! And that is an understatement After a 5.30 wake up call and breakfast we started the uphill climb to dead womans pass. Dead womans pass is the highest point along the Inca Trail at 4200m above sea level. To get there we had to climb the equivalent of Mount Snowdon only much steeper and at altitude with thinner air!

We started walking at around 7am and reached our lunch stop at 11.30 and it was uphill all the way. After lunch was the last 500m to climb which is the toughest part of the trek. I struggled along at the back which actually was the best place to be! Because of the steepness and lack of oxygen we felt very unfit! After plenty of breaks we made it to the top some 7 hours after we left camp!

After a group photo there was 600m descent to camp. This was still tough but at least breathing was easier!

We were all glad to reach camp once again! Not long until a well deserved dinner!

Looking at the dark night sky the starts are amazing I have never seen so many! You can actually see the milkyway. We evenually made out the plough as well which confused us as it is upside down here!


DAY 7
Friday 23rd May 2008
Inca Trail (day 3)

Today has been a long and tiring day! Another 5.30 wake up call and at 6.30 we were on our way.

What we all forgot was that although yesterday we hit our highest altitude today we had to climb back up to 4000m, only 200m less than yesterday. So after leaving camp it was uphill yet again! I have decided that the altitude starts to affect me at around 3800m above sea level, from there I get giddyness and shortness of breath. But the views at the top of Runkurakay were again worth it.

We carried n up and down hill and after our last meal in the mess tents we carried on uphill through the forests which were beautiful until we reached another peak which has the most amazing views of the trip so far, all around us were mountains and it felt like we were on top of the world!

From there we had to descend 1000m to our campsite, the descent was steep steps and uneven ground all the way, we all said how tough it was and that we never wanted to do that again!

The last 6 of us eventually arrived at camp at 5.30pm (11 hours after we started!) just as it got dark!

Camp seems to be a bit warmer tonight but it is still only 6.30 so how cold it will get remains to be seen! We have a bar in camp tonight which would be great if we didnt have to be up at 4am tomorrow!


DAY 8
Saturday 24th May 2008
Inca trail (day 4)

Another early morning wake up call, only this time it was still dark!! We set of with our torches for the hour and a half trek to the sun gate, the last climb up yest again was worth it! The view over Macchu Picchu as the sun rose was an amotional achievement of the last 4 days. There was plenty of time for photos before we made our way down to Macchu Picchu for a guided tour of the site.

We were relived to get rid of our bags for a few hours and explore. The site itself was fantastic and we were given a guided tour. I was dissappointed on leaving the site to find my "magic stick" had dissappeared. At least it survived the important part of the trip and it was £2 well spent!

After a scary 20 minute bus ride to Aguas Calientes we were back in the real world! (well not quite as we know it) the town felt really busy after being alone up in the mountains for the past 4 days.

We had lucnh in a local reataurant and then got the train back to the beginning of the trail. After another coach journey we arrived back in Cuzco. We all enjoyed a much needed shower before heading off for our celebratory meal. On the tables were leaflets on next years treks and we all said it was far too soon to be considering the next one already!!

The meal was lovely and we were entertained by a local band. We were the last to leave and the majority of us headed of to the local english bar to continue with our celebrations.


DAY 9
Sunday 25th May 2008
Cuzco-Lima-Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean

After our late night we were all pleased to have a lie in (only in Peru could 7.30am be a lie in!!) we were all glad of the comfy bed we had slept in overnight too!

After some last minute packing we said our farewells to the lucky people staying behind and headed off to the airport. A short flight took us to Lima and upon our arrival we were told there was not enough time to get the the city centre between our flights so we were going to the nearby San Miguel. We were all dissappointed to find this was a shopping mall, not really where we wanted to spend our last few hours in South America!

Before we knew it we were back at the airport and on the long haul flight back home! I managed to stay up to watch a film and eat dinner before sleeping most of the way home.


DAY 10
Monday 26th May 2008
Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean-Amsterdam-Home

Upon arriving at Amsterdam I was surprised to hear we had had a pretty rough flight! The flight from Amsterdam didnt go to plan as once we were on board we were told that due to bad weather we could not take off for 50 minutes. Eventually one hour late we arrived back in London and the adventure was over! All that was left was to say our goodbyes to all the fantastic people we had been with over the last 10 days.