Adventure and a proposal in Peru’s magical Andean mountains
Visiting Peru's ancient capital of the Inca Empire is a truly unique experience - and for some more unforgettable than others.
THERE really is only one way to feel like you are on top of the world – by climbing above the clouds and peering down on them from above.
I wanted to mark my 30th birthday by visiting a bucket-list destination and pushing myself like never before.
That’s how I found myself signing up to trek 15,000ft into the Andean mountains in Peru to Machu Picchu with my boyfriend.
I should confess early on, I am definitely not a gym bunny.
But minutes after landing and joining the immigration queue at Cusco, I was, dizzy with excitement as I stood with my group of 21 like-minded travellers.
The city was once the capital of the Inca Empire and stands 11,000ft above sea level.
Visitors are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness but should get back to normal within 24 hours.
I was travelling with Charity Challenge, which has been organising trips for charity since 1999 and won a 2017 World Tourism Award 2017 after raising more than £50million.
After paying a registration fee, travellers can either arrange charity sponsorship for their dream trip — such as this Machu Picchu adventure — or pay for it outright themselves.
The five-day trek would see me hike for around six to eight hours a day and encounter some of the most remote communities in the world, hundreds of cuddly alpacas and experience the most awe-inspiring views thousands of feet high in the Andean mountains.
We were travelling in a group which meant we always had support when we needed it and were accompanied by individuals who all had a story to tell.
From divorce, to illness, to loss of a family member, they all had an life-impacting reason for signing up.
Our first destination was Sacred Valley. On the way, a pit-stop to a market in Lares was a welcome break.
It was our first opportunity to encounter the local people who speak Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire before it was destroyed by the Spanish in the 16th Century.
It’s not just the scenery that will have you reaching for your camera. The first glimpse of the local market-goers set the tone for the whole trip.
The traditional dress, which includes bright, multi-coloured skirts, ponchos and floral hats, was a feast for the eyes.
Under a starry sky, we tucked into a hearty meal of trout and pumpkin soup, made by the chefs in our crew.
We woke to snow on the mountains and as we pushed ever upwards, the scenery continued to become more majestic.
Mountains dominated the landscape and greenery stretched as far as the eye could see.
With little or no phone signal, we were forced to switch off and detach completely from everyday life.
The only sounds came from the chatter of the group, a waterfall, the odd dragonfly zipping by and the call of eagles circling above.
With no other tourists in sight, hundreds of llamas grazed in peace.
It was hugs and celebrations all around when we finally reached the highest point of our climb, an impressive 14,700ft.
For the final day, we took an early morning train to route KM 104 and were joined by other tourists on the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
It is the time to visit the Unesco World Heritage site, as restrictions on visitor numbers are increasingly being put in place.
The sun was out in full force as we started the long climb of 3,000 steps.
For those who felt they might not be energetic enough to last the day, there were trekkers of all shapes, sizes and ages, including a sprightly woman well into her eighties who whizzed past us during our lunch stop.
Again, the views make it all worthwhile and every drop of sweat was rewarded with sights of the untouched scenery that dwarfed us on every side.
Suddenly, we felt like extras in Jurassic Park.
After stopping near a waterfall in the middle of a forest, it was another three-hour trek towards the Sun Gate, including steps so steep we had to get on all fours to climb them like monkeys.
When we finally reached it we were definitely sweatier, with every muscle throbbing in unison.
But to say that was all forgotten as soon as we walked through the Sun Gate is no cliche.
It is the best way to see Machu Picchu as you enter from above and look down on the Incan site.
Only then do you truly appreciate the sheer scale and size of the citadel, believed to have been abandoned in 1532.
It was one of those rare occasions when it looked even better than the glossy tourist pictures.
We all needed a moment to stop and reflect.
And as we gazed at the site I was given the best souvenir — an engagement ring!
It was impromptu proposal so I had to make do with a Haribo ring until we got home. How sweet.
The next day we were back for a guided tour before making our way to Cusco.
I returned with countless happy memories, friends for life, a fiance and one very big smile.
GO: Machu Picchu
GETTING/STAYING THERE: A ten-day, all-inclusive Trek to Machu Picchu costs from £395 per person plus a commitment to raise at least £3,975 per person for your chosen charity or £2,345 per person without donations.
Package includes flights, accommodation, transfers, camping gear, a guided tour of Machu Picchu, leaders, medic, guides, drivers and cooks.
See or call 020 8346 0500. Enter promo code THESUN to get £150 off the deposit. Valid until 07/02/2018.
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