Saturday, September 19, 2009

Inka Jungle Trail Day 3: Tracks and Ladders

To preface our third day on the trail to Machu Picchu, we were given an "option" by Pablo to skip the first half of today's trek and bus from Santa Teresa to the hydroelectric plant. In turn, we'd get into Aguas Caliente early enough to have lunch and get a glimpse of Machu Picchu by climbing a nearby mountain. Eager to get out of the jungle (cicadas and biting flies who'd left welts all over our bodies) and closer to our goal, we agreed to pay the 10 soles each for the shortcut and we weren't too disappointed to lose some hiking time as the trail was pretty drab.

We had no problems waking up early on day 3. A swarm of huge turkeys ruffling feathers and picking a fight with our tent had us up scared at dawn. We had a quick warm shower worth mentioning only because Nicole was attacked again by a huge cicada while lathering - scary, gross. We were off!

Our trekking group jumped in a van to head to the hydroelectric plant. The van was not empty. It consisted of a family of four, who after 5 minutes of driving - get this - jumped out of the van, walked into the jungle and returned with loads of fallen trees and branches, loaded them onto the roof of the van, and then hauled them to the next town. Please note, while sitting on top of the van with the logs. Yep, we paid 10 soles each (60 in total) for this family to run errands. Quite cheeky, as the South Africans put it! At least the ride allowed us to get into Aguas Calientes earlier in the day, albeit after a couple of uneventful hours hiking on railroad tracks.

After a meal and checking into our hostel, we met the team in Plaza de Armas to begin our trek up Putucusi - a mountain that overlooks the ruins of the Machu Picchu citadel. In Quechua, Putacusi translates to steps and ladders. (OK, probably not, but it was a hard slog. And interestingly enough, Juan Pablo did not lead us on this outting...)

Basically, we scrambled up stone stairs and wooden ladders that were bolted to the mountain in order to gain 1000 meters, and reach the peak of the mountain. Nicole gasped with what air she had left when we reached the top because the view was incredible. Our first sighting of Machu Picchu. It was unforgettable.

And now, ee can't wait for tomorrow, when we finally reach out goal. (Bring on the 3:30 AM wake up!).


-- Posted from my iPhone

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