Against my better judgment, a travel agent succeeded in convincing me to take a three day trek through the Andes culminating on the last day with a tour of Machu Picchu. She advertised it as the easiest trek anyone could take in the area. I liked the pitch. Okay, I was game.
Being a conscientious tourist, I got to Cusco four days before the tour so I could acclimate to the altitude. Still, this precaution did little to alleviate the stress I caused my sedentary body when the trek started. I regularly trailed behind the trekking group by several yards at a time. Sad, I know.
Aside from the constant protest coming from my atrophied muscles against the sudden existence of exercise, I'm sure my ex-smoker lungs had a large part to play in my utter defeat during this trek. Here's a lesson for everyone, don't smoke and hike - especially if that hike takes place in the Andes.
In any case, here are some photos from the trek - one of the many beautiful alternatives to the famous Inca Trail.
Huchuy Qosqo Trek
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| Herding llama and sheep |
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| The trekking group |
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| Kids washing their dishes after finishing lunch |
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Getting the laundry done
My tour guide, Jackson |
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| Remains of an Incan road |
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| Terraces for potato farming |
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| View from Huchuy Qosqo - an Incan ceremonial site |
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| Me with one of the other trekkers, Jim |
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| Sitting at Sun Gate, the ancient entrance to Machu Picchu which overlooks the whole area |
A former rat racer who took a break from the daily maze to start traveling instead. These are the testaments to that experience.
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