I'm now back in Cusco after having spent three days walking the beautiful Lares Inca Trail. It was a wonderful walk, challenging, perfectly paced and truly stunning. We encountered many indigenous people along the way and were fortunate enough to be able to visit their houses and catch a glimpse of life in the high Andes. It looks pretty tough. Camping was fun, although with night temperatures of -4ºC at 4,200 m it was pretty nippy.
The hike took us to Aguas Calientes, where we spent the night and enjoyed a much needed hot shower before rising early to catch the 5.30 bus up to Machu Picchu. What a place! It's incredible, really fascinating. It was soon swamped with tourists though, and we headed back down in time for lunch.
I would like to write more about the past few days, but I got very sick on the journey back yesterday and am not feeling on top form. I think my stomach is ok now and I'll try and eat something, but I'm still feeling very weak, shakey, cold and tired. Strange, exactly the same thing happened the night before the trek and I really thought I wouldn't be able to do it. Everything turned out alright though, so I'm hoping that this episode is just as brief and I'll be right as rain again tomorrow for our trip to the jungle.
Can't wait to come home and see you all, d xxx