August 28, 2009
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Flora along Inca Trail
{Scroll straight down for pictures}
So when we went on the Inca trail we hiked for 4 days. Day 1 was the 'easy' day where we hiked 7.5 miles with relatively little elevation gain.Cusco via Chinchero, Ollantaytambo to km 82 bus ridekm
82(2600M) hike 5km(3.1mi/2hrs) to Llactapata7
km(4.34mi/2.5 hrs) to Wayllabamba (3000M/9843feet)Day 2 was supposed to be the worst day with the most elevation gain (hiking past a few mountain peaks)
(1)Wayllabamba 6km(4 hrs) to Llulluchapampa (3680M/12073ft)
(2) 3km (1.5-2 hrs) to the first pass WarmiWanusca (4200M/13780ft)
(3) 3-km (1.5-2 hrs) to Pacamayo (3600M/11811ft)
Sneak peak of the path we would be taking on Day 3 viewed while descending to the valley for camp on Day 2. The picture doesn't really give justice to how high the climb looked. But it was quite daunting.
Day 3 wasn't supposed to be as bad as Day 2, but I don't know about that--it was pretty damn tiring! It was longer (9.3 miles as opposed to 7.5 miles) and we had to go down over 2000 steps! Meh!
(1)
Pacamayo(3600M) 1 hr
to Runkruacay ruins(3800M)(2)
1hr to 2nd pass Abra de Runkuracay(3950M/12955ft)(3)
1 hr staircase to
Sayacmarca (3600M)(4)
1.75 hrs through
Concha Marca & Inka tunnel to 3rd pass (3650M)(5)
Phuyupagamarka( ruins
with 6 Inka baths)(6)
7 km (4.34mi/3 hrs)
Staircas + Inka tunnel to WinayWayna(2700M)I paid to take a shower that night (hot shower too! In the middle of the woods, too) that way I wouldn't look as grungy for Day 4 (thought we would take a lot of pictures since we were going to be at Machu Picchu; but since my face was splotchy from crying and I was feeling ill, there are few pictures of me. Oops!).
Day 4 was only 6 km to Machu Picchu but we left early in the AM to beat the 'lazy tourists' & to try to catch the sunrise.
Most of my flower pictures are from Day 3 since that day we entered a more tropical environment.
Day 2 Flowers
Day 3 Flowers (not in order of appearance)
Eh! More for another day (sensory and finger overload!). & many thanks to my cousin who accompanied me in my slooooow pace. Heh. (You know, a mixture of being out of shape and admiring the views!).
We all used pictures as an excuse to take breaks. Looks like I took a lot of breaks, eh?
Comments (4)
Do you know I envy you ? A trail on the Inca land in Peru !
The shots of flowers are gorgeous .
You made me dream .Thank you for this
In friendship
Michel
@fauquet -
Ah! I am glad that the photos gave you pleasure
.
& many thanks to you also--I love reading your Xanga because you always seem so positive and you highlight many of the beautiful things in life that we miss or take for granted & hence forget.
Wow great shots! and the flora is very unique... What kind of camera did you use?
Seemed like a very tiring 4 days of hiking!
@a_drunken_cellist -
Thank you! I actually used a super basic camera, a Canon SD1100. The trick is to use the right modes
--> macro for flowers and then switching the lighting for the time of day/if it is cloudy!
It was fairly exhausting, but then taking a shower at the end was AMAZING. One of the best showers ever! Haha.