"Hike/Endurance test to Machu Picchu"

The group looking fresh faced and eager!!
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You´ll all be glad to hear that I am writing this blog whilst waiting for the train to take us back to Cusco after having completed the Inca Trail - hurrah!

I must admit that we have only just about survived to tell the tale though - after a bout of food poisoning on day 1 (Marissa), squealchy feet from leaky boots and terrential rain (both) and some of the hardest uphill stretches imaginable (both) - all beginning early in the morning (we started at 4 am this morning!) Nick has clearly been at his best before midday as usual!

Day 2 was also 12km but we were supposed to be pumas with a straight uphill climb from 2900m to 4200m - a right killer! We both had tears in our eyes

The porters each carrying 25kilos of Marissa`s shoes also looking fresh faced and eager!
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In all seriousness, it has been a fantastic experience although there were moments when we didn´t think that we would finish. We have trekked 42km in total not counting the 5 hours that we walked around Machu Picchu itself today. We did 12km on day 1 and were serpents snaking up and down as our guide said. The sun was out but having not been able to hold anything down I hadn´t eaten and so was in a bit of a mess by the end of the day. The guide fortunately sorted me out at the end of the Day with antibiotics and Day 2 I was on the mend. The views were truly amazing though of the Inca constructions, the snow-capped mountains and deep valleys. Nick was truly facing into his vertigo at times as we teetered on the edge of the mountain paths. Day 2 was also 12km but we were supposed to be pumas with a straight uphill climb from 2900m to 4200m - a right killer! We both had tears in our eyes and pain in our calves when we got to the top I think as we did it in about 2 hours! On Day 3 we did 16km and were condors admiring the views and taking it more leisurely (alot of evil downhill steps!) but the rain was relentless and so we didn´t see much of the views- just got drenched and chivvied each other and the group along to get our first hot shower at the Winaywayna lodge where we stayed. The group have been really great and even though people have ben ill and there have been tears before bedtime most days all have been really supportive - and a good laugh!

Marissa`s shot (finally) or a hummingbird!
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This morning we were up at 4am to hopefully see the sunset but the sun never arrived and we trekked the final hour to see.....a load of fog (at first) and then finally Machu Picchu as the clouds and rain lifted around 7am. it was quite amazing.

Must dash now as the train will soon be here but will upload some photos and tell you more about the scenery as so as we can....

Hope the flu is getting better Mum. Love M.xx.

Nick´s bit -  Well does Machu Pichu live up to the billing as one of the new 7 wonders I hear you ask? It is pretty amazing and (when we upload the photo´s) you will see that the pictures you have probably all seen are easily copied by mere amateurs. It was much bigger than I expected and at 2.5km´s up it was very hard to imagine how the Inca´s did it in only 60 years (lots of Coca leaves I think). The rain lifted for us long enough to have a great morning looking round and chilling out in the site before we took our weary limbs off to Aquas Calientes, the local town,  and their hot springs.

A pensive moment...
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Back in Cusco and the trek seems like a dream apart from our very tired limbs and the weight we both seem to have shed.

Next time though I know we will take the train!!