Hike to Machu Picchu
By: Wilson Chen
Day 1: From Cuzco, Peru to Wayllabamba
Today I wake up at 3:20am with a happy smile. I pack my breakfast and eat in the bus. I like ham and cheese sandwich.
I meet up with my team mate at Cuzco. Our guide Hiram is already waiting there. Anthony, Elliot, Morgan and Eric soon join us. We start hiking for 12 km. Cuzco is in a mountain valley about 11,000 feet above sea level. Two rivers flowed into the valley to supply water. I feel wind blowing on my face.
We arrive Peru around midday. We eat lunch outside of a temple. We rested a little, then we head to Wayllabamba. I see farmers working in the field. We buy some vegetables from the farmers, and start to set up our tent. We are all tired from hiking throughout the day, so we sleep early.
Day 2: From Wayllabamba to Pacamayo
This morning we wake up before sunrise. Elliot brought bread for everyone. We also drink hot chocolate for breakfast. AFterwards we pack up the tent and start hiking. We walk 11km from Wayllabamba to Pacamayo. On the way, I see many different kinds of trees. I also enjoy many birds singing. In the afternoon, we set up the tent next to a river and start fishing. Anthony catches two fish, so we bake them for dinner. Soon We sleep under
full moon
›
Day 3 : From Pacamayo to Winay Wayna
Today is a hard day.I woke up at 5:30. We eat bread and milk. Hiram says that today we hike for 16 km in one day. We pass the ruins of Runkuracay, then Abra de Runkuracay. The buildings are old but still beautiful. The high stones and are hard to climb, we help each other. We used ropes to reach Sayacmarca ( which means ‘Inaccessible Town’). There we see superbly designed stone staircase. We then walk back and passes Conchamarca, a nice and relaxing resting place on our way to Machu Picchu.
By the time we reach Winay Wayna, our knees feel the strain from climbing all those stairs. We paid a lot of money to take hot baths, but it really helps my muscle to relax.
Before we sleep, we talk about tomorrow’s trip and shared notes taken from day 1 until now.
Day:4 From Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu
Today is final day,I’m so happy because we will go to Machu Picchu. Once the sun rise, our team left Winay Wayna. We walk for 1 and half hours to reach Machu Picchu. It is a lovely Inca city. According to the map, its area is about 13 square km. We walk pass many one-room houses, and government buildings. They are linked by many stairways.
After walking 4 days, my legs are sore. I sit down by the temple and rest. Hiram and other Anthony walk around the city, and take more notes. While Morgan, Eric and I wait for the helicopter to come and pick us up.
We meet up with the helicopter at a flat step-like terrace by the mountain sides. They take us back to an International Airport then we fly home in Singapore Airline A380, first class. This is a wonderful trip, that I will always remember!