Thursday, October 3, 2013

Peru ~ Inca Trail

Fours days of trekking through the Peruvian Andes through sun, rain, ice, and wind. This was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but most definitely the best! Just being in the mountains for days without any connection to the rest of the world, learning the history of the Incas and experiencing the culture of the locals was truly spectacular. Here are a few of our favourite moments...










Day three we were lucky enough to be taken a different route to the rest of the tourists which was refreshing to be on our own (just a group of 13 of us). We went the route that Hiram Bingham actually went when he discovered Machu Picchu in 1911. This meant a not so clear path, fighting our way through thick vegetation, some cactus scratches, and a few slips here and there but it was all well worth it. We were able to leisurely explore an Inca site hidden in the jungle that tourists never get to see. See how excited I am?


Just climbing down an Inca ladder...






Views of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate on our final morning.





We made it!











All Photos by Glenn Chiofalo for Looking Glass

Looking weary and overwhelmed but oh so happy!

Trekking the Inca trail was high up on our bucket list. The experience was everything we hoped for plus more. I can't even explain the spiritual feeling that takes a hold of you when you're there. There were mixed emotions of course, from the sheer exhaustion, the sense of accomplishment, and the the awe of being somewhere so remote and so unbelievably beautiful. The mountains have a life and energy that's indescribable and I definitely fell under their spell. It was the trip of a lifetime.

I love to adopt little special traditions whenever I explore a new place. I now have a new Quechua tradition of always sharing a little drop of my alcoholic beverage with Pachamama (Mother Earth) before drinking.

Have you got a bucket list? Crossed anything off it yet? I'd love to here of any traditions you've taken with you from far away places.

Next up will be photos from the Nazca Desert.

Clare x

Photos from The Sacred Valley of the Incas
See more of my South American travels on instagram

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Thanks for sharing on Soulful Mama ~ Clare x