Karen recently made a trip through Peru. Part of this was a trip through the Colca Canyon and the ‘trek of trekking’ to Machu Picchu.
The Colca Canyon
Once the high pass over on the way to sunny Chivay unsuspectingly starts our adventure in the Colca Canyon. One of the deepest canyons in the world, although the less visited neighbor-canyon Cotohuasi also throws high eyes.
The tourist chivay beyond quickly becomes the scenery more spectacular, the gorge deeper, the villages more authentic with dusty streets and the most adorable baby alpacas. We drive in our super-yellow taxi past the beautiful Colca Lodge, what a location, a picture!
Wings with a wingspan of over three meters, really fantastic!
We are going further into the gap; the deepest point on the south side of the gorge is known for the ideal thermals for the condor. I should have seen condors before on my walking tours in Patagonia but I have to say in this place you see them really beautifully, from above so you can admire the birds with wings with a wingspan of over three meters beautifully, really fantastic.
In Cabanaconde we then continue by foot; the idea is to go into the canyon here and walk along the other side and then dive back into the depths to a true oasis, Sangalle. I’m looking forward to it: the first day will be a breeze, I think, because especially walking down the slopes dotted with cacti, that’s going to work.
However deep in the gorge with the Colca River already in sight the heat is huge and there is no shade, it will be forgoable! But the cooling of the river is great and once in the Indian villages on the other side between the fruit trees it seems a completely different world.
The next day we reach the oasis complete with palm trees, ferns and orchids and cooling natural baths; what a lovely place with places like Cielo Azul,the blue sky and Paraiso,paradise. And then the steep gorge rises again on the sun side; at four o’clock in the morning we get up to run the race against the sun and cool with tired legs we come back out just in time for breakfast.
The authentic Inca trail
On to the next adventure, the ‘trek of trekkings’ in Latin America according to many: the Inca Trail. You can make many treks from Cuzco or the Sacred Valley into the high mountains of the Andes, mostly along ancient Inca paths and relics from the Inca era but the classic variant with the terminus Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at Machu Picchu remained on my bucket list. So finally put on the naughty walking shoes and requested the permits in time.
The first day is a piece of cake
We start in the Sacred Valley and we have just been pampered in the luxurious Aranwa resort, the best of the chain, lots of choice of room types, the hotel is built around a chapel with a lovely estate around it. Topper.
The start is light and optimistic, everyone is looking forward to it: our fellow hikers, a much younger Argentinian couple, our super guide Paco and the hard-to-admire porters from the neighbouring Indian settlements who carry our tents and a true kitchen with food. And indeed the first day is a piece of cake.
Machu Picchu in all its pomp and glory; you like to walk for four days
The next two days are super heavy but also incredibly beautiful. There are many providers of the Trail but I am pleasantly surprised by our organizer: nice quiet places to camp, great guide who revives the Incas and excellent cuisine with always surprises. I’ve really been touched by our carrier team, humble guys who are doing an incredible job of making us as comfortable as possible.
The discharge comes up at the Sun Gate in the early morning; Although cloudy, I stand there with tears in my eyes. After an hour the fog clears and all expectations are fulfilled Machu Picchu in all its pageantry and glory. It quickly gets busier with visitors but what a moment; you like to walk for four days…
