Peru, from Pachamama to Papitos

by Priya Amaranath (Australia)

I didn't expect to find Peru

I've wanted to document what still tops the list as trip of a lifetime. I imagine myself 80 years old reading about the adventures of a young girl thinking – this girl lived a cool life. We had one full day in Lima. Following a traditional Peruvian breakfast, with one map we set off on foot to discover Lima and it was beautiful. The best part of our day was crashing a traditional Peruvian wedding. We walked into a church during a wedding ceremony. What was warming to see was that everyone was welcoming and inviting, including us in the hugging and congratulating! The beginning of me falling in love with the country and its people. Our group met on Saturday night, a mix from across the world. Sunday, we took a flight to Cusco – arriving 3000m above sea level. After settling into our hotel, then tasting coca tea, we took a walking tour of Cusco - what an atmosphere, bursting with culture and life. Lunch was at a local restaurant where I tasted alpaca. After all it is Peruvian tradition – couldn't say no. We continued to explore through the afternoon, finishing with dinner at Chicha. We then moved up the valley, stopping along the way. The Jesus Statue gifted by Palestine, Sacred Valley, Pisac Ruins and beautiful winding roads making an exciting drive, settling in Ollayantaytambo for the night. This was the night we bonded as a group – over a game of cards and a bottle of pisco. We trekked the Lares, which reaches a higher altitude. As our walk started it got colder. And gloomier. Just our luck when we set off, the gods decided to shower us, not even lightly. Oh no, they showered us with mighty amounts of rain, so much that my waterproofs were no longer waterproof. I was soaked all the way through my layers. That first night was the hardest, most testing night of my life. -5 Celsius doesn't sound bad, but imagine whilst still soaking wet and no way to dry off, plus a broken sleeping bag. We struggled that night but woke up to a magnificent sight in the mountains, the nausea momentarily disappeared while we embraced the view. Day 2 began early, to make it to the 4800m summit. The steepest part of the walk, initially unaffected by the altitude but suddenly it hit me, an incline of 1000m in 6 hours. It was difficult, the point where I felt at my lowest. With everyone’s encouragement, a reminder I was there in memory of my late uncle, amazing guides, good conversation and a horse ride later… We made it. Everyone walked at their own pace, yet WE made it. No one would have reached that point without each other, and for that I’m grateful. It was easy to sit at the top in silence, not take many photos only to be in the moment and take it all in. Obviously we took the obligatory group photo! Soon we started the descent, walked an hour until we lunch in the middle of a field. The descent was tricky because of footing and not being able to see. We were behind schedule and the last half hour was spent navigating through dark surroundings, using headlamps. Yet we made it, that final campsite was so much fun with celebrations all around. The final day of walking we faced hot sunny weather - four seasons! We walked our way to lunch with our porters, interacting with cute local kids who we played with. Machu Picchu, the long-awaited day. We left early to get a a historic tour of the beautiful lost city. As a group we climbed to Intipunku – Sun Gate. The final push, it was difficult only because of the blistering heat and lack of water. However, it was easily worth every bit. The most inspiring thing I saw was an elderly man – over 80 with a walking stick, partial eyesight on pilgrimage up to the sun gate. We kept thinking if he can still do it, we have no excuse – I hope I’m as active as him when I’m his age. Peru left a mark on me, I can’t wait to be reunited one day.