Trek to Macchu Picchu

There are about 1,000 ways to go from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Options range from a one day trip using all trains and buses, up to 5 to 7 day hikes. We opted for the 4 day trip with one day of mountain biking (turned out to be more like downhill road biking) and 3 days of hiking. After a 2 to 3 hour drive from Cusco to the top of a mountain surrounded by snow capped peaks, we bombed all downhill on bikes for a few hours. There are rivers crossing the roads at some points, making it challenge to stay dry. We went from freezing cold temperatures into humid juble in about 3 hours. The views from the roads were exciting, as was dodging buses and cars coming up the road.

The following day we began our hike in the rain, and merged onto a portion of the Inca Trail. Hanging to the side of a cliff, this might have been one of the more amazing trails I've ever hiked on. The views of the river continued to change as we wound up the valley. We stopped at some houses along the way where locals make a living off of hikers buying food and water. One family had a pet monkey named Martin that Zack practiced his motherly instincts by feeding it milk from a bottle. We got rained on multiple times everyday, apparently the Rainy Season has proven to be quite true to its name. I got destroyed by the bugs, while Zack stayed relatively untouched. He claims the bugs are attracted to feta and hummus, while I hold the opposite argument that they are repulsed by smelly Russians who wreak of potato and vodka. The jury is still out on that one. The trek wore on into the town of Aguas Calientes, where we stayed the night and prepared for an early wake up to Machu Picchu.

We had heard that Waynapicchu, the tall peak often seen behind the ruins of Machu Picchu was well worth hiking, but was limited to 400 people a day and was first come first served. Our guide told us that if we wanted to make it there ahead of the crowds, we would have to get up at 3 am and begin the hike by 330, hike for 90 mins or so, before the park opens at 6. We hiked in the dark and the rain at 330 am sharp, got to the top at 450 am, to realize we were the first ones there. We waited for an hour in the cold, were the first ones to get our stamps for Waynapicchu, which of course required me to run back along the line of 300 people holding up the number one sign. Obnoxious American, maybe... but hey, we were #1, right??

Despite being exhausted, we continued to explore the ruins for about another 8 hours. We were exhausted and soaked, but decided to wait for the clouds to clear for the epic postcard shot. I think we may have gotten a few. It was an epic day, starting at 3 am and ending back in Cuzco at 10 after a hectic bus ride home. It was worth the sore legs, bug bites, early wake ups, and utter exhaustion but we did it the right way. No buses to or from the top, and it made it all that much more rewarding. I kept thinking of the times over a year ago, while still deciding if we were going to make this trip when Zack would send pictures of Machu Picchu and a question mark. Well, we did it and its done... now onto the next.

We need to be in La Paz in 2 weeks for a flight, and are considering going south into Chile briefly then west into the Salar de Uyini, some crazy salt flats in the desert seen by Jeep tour. We then have to go back up to La Paz via bus, which will undoubtedly suck, but its all part of the game. Its almost March, the trip is starting to fly by. Also some sad news, I came into the room this morning and saw what looked like a hairless child rummaging through some luggage. Apparently, Zack caved in and shaved his beard. Mine has gone from itchy to bushy, and I have decided I'm in it for the long haul.

We are really looking forward to seeing those of you who have committed to joining us in the next few weeks. In the short term we are not exctly sure where we'll be next, but as Mike Tyson said... "I'm gonna knock him into Bolivian".