High Expectations part 1

I just got back to Cusco.

The entire Machu Picchu experience was awesome.

Day 1: Cusco to Santa Maria

I guess I'll start at the beginning of the journey. Our group left Cusco Wednesday morning at 8 and rode for 4 hours by bus to a spot somewhere between Cusco and the small village of Santa Maria.  This bus ride was supposed to last about 2.5 hours but there was a landslide that blocked the road for a while.  This was pretty scary- sitting on a narrow, winding rode looking over the cliff at the 1000 meter drop- waiting for 3 or 4 Peruvian road workers to clear off the pile of landslide rock so we could pass. 

Here is a shot of everybody trying to get through the landslide:

 

Part of me wanted to turn around and go back.  

We made it through safely, and when we reached our stopping point we got on our bikes.  It was a 24 mile ride- uphill and downhill- to reach Santa Maria.  The ride was awesome,  but extremely muddy.  As we went further along the muddy road, our surroundings got more and more 'jungle looking'.  Santa Maria is a VERY small town in the jungle of Peru and we lodged at a small hostel that didn't offer much more than a camping tent would have.  We still managed to sleep pretty sound.  The best part about this Hostal was the owner's dog, Rambo:

Day 2: Santa Maria to Santa Teresa

Thursday was a 10 hour, 16 mile hike from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa.  I won't lie- this was pretty rough.  At one point the trail was literally 2 feet wide with a wall of mountain rock on our right and an immediate 650 meter drop to the left.  My fear of heights didn't help much.  Luckily this was only for about an hour of the hike.  The rest of the hike was filled with everything from steep, rocky climbs to downhill dirt trails through the jungle.  The struggles and anxieties were easily tolerated only due to the incredible scenery that surrounded us all day.  Rivers and waterfalls, tropical jungles, field after field of coca leaves and the most beautiful mountains I've ever seen in person.  The highlight of the day was a stop at a small house in the jungle to get some snacks where the owners have a few pets for the hikers to play with.  In particular, Martin the monkey and Patee the Capise.  I had never heard of, or seen, a Capise. The best way to describe him...

He has the paws of a monkey, the face of an aardvark, the body of a large rat/ferret, the tail of a raccoon, the climbing ability of a koala bear and the disposition of your favorite, lazy pet dog. 

Here is a pic of Patee:

Out of fairness, here is Martin:

Our soar muscles and insect bitten arms and legs were relieved to find a natural hot springs at the end of the hike. We got there right at sunset and spent about 2 hours soaking in the hot natural waters.  Awesome.  

Immediately afterwards we checked in to our hostal in Santa Teresa which made the previous night's hostal look like the Ritz Carlton!

Day 3: Santa Teresa to Aguas Caliente

Friday morning we took a bus from Santa Teresa to a small hydroelectric plant just 12 miles outside of Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu!  From the plant, we hiked the remaining 12 miles, which was pretty flat, making Day 3 the easiest  hike of all.  Still a very hot and sweaty day as we followed a set of train tracks for the entire hike.  Highlight of the 12 mile trek was definitely the 'Stand By Me' bridge.  I swear it was straight out of the movie.  It was a little eerie walking over the old boards that wabbled and shook under your feet with every step.

We arrived in Aguas Caliente around 2pm and had lunch before checking into a really nice hostal- finally!  They actually had hot water, although I'd have been pretty ticked if they hadn't, considering that the town's name is Spanish for 'Hot Water'.  Aguas Caliente is also known for being the most expensive town in Peru- since the only people there are tourists on the way to, or from, Machu Picchu.  It is a nice town, but I wouldn't recommend staying there for very long unless you have a lot of money to blow.

To be continued....

I'll try to post Part 2 tomorrow along with Machu Picchu pics. I'm exhausted.

I have added a ton of pics over in the photo section. 

Updated pic galleries  for:

Arequipa and Colca Canyon (it was messed up before- fixed now)

Cusco- Sacred Valley

Inca Trail Days 1-3

Check em out when you can.