Peru Part 3 (Lares Trek and Machu Picchu)

Now for one of the best moment in my trip...
We arrive in Cusco. Our hotel is situated only 5 mins walk from plaza de armas. The old center of Cusco is really beautiful! I use a couple of hours to have a wander as I also need to do some shopping for the trek I am going fo the next morning.

When most people choose to go for the traditional Inca Trail, we all decide to go for the Lares Trail. It is less touristy (less crowd and litter) and we have the chance to spend some time with locals.

We are leaving on the first day and drive first to Calca where we wander around the local market. We are advised to buy cheap toys or bread that we will be able to give to the kids when taking a picture of them.
Then we drive to Lares where we enjoy hot springs and our first meal cooked by the crew.

After a nice time in Lares, it is time to actually start walking. It only takes us 1.5 hour to get to our first camp in Quishuarani. Our tents are set up in the garden of one of the crew member. We are welcome by his kids and a lady bring some local products to sell. It gives the opportunity to play my highest volley-ball game and buy a couple of hats...

An early start on the second day which will be the toughest one by far! We leave at 6.30am for a 7 hours walk reaching 4700m with some really steep hill. The scenery is outstanding to say the least... This time, we are camping in a school yard in Cancha Cancha. The view is very impressive. In the evening, the crew prepares a sheep that we bought in the afternoon. It means: killing it, emptying it and cooking in a handmade oven built with stones. Let's be honest, the meat was tough and we strongly believed that the crew kept the best parts. However, it was a great experience...

On the third day, a much more relaxing 6 hours walk downhill along the valley to reach Huaran which is the end of the trek. It is on that day that we meet most of the kids living in the area. Some of them have never seen a car before. Eating bred is a real treat for them!

Here are more pictures coming from Tony!!

After lunch, we are driving to Ollantaytambo to catch the train with the rest of the group to Agua Calientes where we spend the night in an hotel this time!

After a quick bite, it is time to go to bed as alarm is set for 4.30am the next day. It is the price to pay to get the first bus (5.30) to Machu Picchu and being the first to enter the site at 6am. Although the sky was very cloudy when we arrived, it started clearing up just when the sun got over the mountain! It is a really inspiring place like I've seen only a few in my life. Things only got better when we climbed Huayna Picchu (the big mount at the back on every Machu Picchu pictures). 30mins of steps leading more stone construction and a breath taking view of Machu Picchu and the mountain/valley around.

After a last drink with the guides, it is time to catch the train back to Cusco. This is when things went slightly wrong as our train left an hour early and then we spent 2 hours in the bus to Cusco. I arrived very tired and was in bed by 10.30pm.

Now in Puno on the coast of Lake Titicaca, our last stop in Peru before crossing the border to Bolivia. But that'll be for next time...