Inca Trail Blazer Page Update
Kristiane Kronsbein, Project Manager at the RSPCA and customer of Inca successfully walked the Inca Trail to the 'Lost City of the Incas' on Machu Picchu, Peru this summer to raise money for the animal welfare charity.
Some extracts from Kristiane’s diary entries
24/07 - Although only a gentle 11km hike from km 82 to the first camp site a tough one for the group. The hygiene standards of last night's restaurant haven't lived up to the expectations of our tender gringo stomachs and one member of the group has fallen seriously ill. Luckily the guides knew exactly what to do and advised him and his partner to return to Ollantaytambo. A sad good bye at lunch time and the group continued in glorious sunshine passing locals and their animals who live at the bottom part of the Inca Trail.
25/07 - The big day to cross the Dead Woman's pass at 4200m. The British mountains had prepared me well for the task and I progressed well enthused by the wonderful views a long the way and the fascinating stories about Inca history told by our local tour guide ... and, of course, the obligatory coca leaves against altitude sickness (imagine chewing a tea bag!). Walking across the top of the pass with the view opening wide in front of me was definitely one of the most impressive moments of my life. After dropping down a few hundred metres we arrived at our campsite already prepared by the wonderful porters. To add to the wonders of the day, the cook had made us a cake with icing and everything ... without an oven. No idea how but it was delicious and, we all agreed, well deserved.
26/07 - much longer than the second day and with 2 serious climbs the third day would have been the toughest if we hadn't been so high on oxygen. Quite astonishing how much it's taken for granted in Britain. The climate had changed completely and we could view orchids on the way as well as number of interesting Inca ruins.
27/07 - we got up at 3.30 ... yes, there is a 3.30 in the morning ... it took me by surprise, too. We made it to the check point at around 4.30 and spent the next hour on the floor playing cards in torch light. The check point opened at 5.30 and we were on our way to the Sun Gate, which greeted us with English weather. Well, you can't always be lucky and so far the weather had been fantastic. Despite the lack of view we had a rest and second breakfast (at 6.30) at this important historic site before continuing to Machu Picchu. Once the cloud lifted the view was amazing and we enjoyed spending some time in the city of the Incas and learning a lot about their way of life before returning to our base in Cuzco.
Congratulations, Kristiane; what an achievement!
Some extracts from Kristiane’s diary entries
24/07 - Although only a gentle 11km hike from km 82 to the first camp site a tough one for the group. The hygiene standards of last night's restaurant haven't lived up to the expectations of our tender gringo stomachs and one member of the group has fallen seriously ill. Luckily the guides knew exactly what to do and advised him and his partner to return to Ollantaytambo. A sad good bye at lunch time and the group continued in glorious sunshine passing locals and their animals who live at the bottom part of the Inca Trail.
25/07 - The big day to cross the Dead Woman's pass at 4200m. The British mountains had prepared me well for the task and I progressed well enthused by the wonderful views a long the way and the fascinating stories about Inca history told by our local tour guide ... and, of course, the obligatory coca leaves against altitude sickness (imagine chewing a tea bag!). Walking across the top of the pass with the view opening wide in front of me was definitely one of the most impressive moments of my life. After dropping down a few hundred metres we arrived at our campsite already prepared by the wonderful porters. To add to the wonders of the day, the cook had made us a cake with icing and everything ... without an oven. No idea how but it was delicious and, we all agreed, well deserved.
26/07 - much longer than the second day and with 2 serious climbs the third day would have been the toughest if we hadn't been so high on oxygen. Quite astonishing how much it's taken for granted in Britain. The climate had changed completely and we could view orchids on the way as well as number of interesting Inca ruins.
27/07 - we got up at 3.30 ... yes, there is a 3.30 in the morning ... it took me by surprise, too. We made it to the check point at around 4.30 and spent the next hour on the floor playing cards in torch light. The check point opened at 5.30 and we were on our way to the Sun Gate, which greeted us with English weather. Well, you can't always be lucky and so far the weather had been fantastic. Despite the lack of view we had a rest and second breakfast (at 6.30) at this important historic site before continuing to Machu Picchu. Once the cloud lifted the view was amazing and we enjoyed spending some time in the city of the Incas and learning a lot about their way of life before returning to our base in Cuzco.
Congratulations, Kristiane; what an achievement!
