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- Apr 27, 2024, 6:23 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 10,459 ft
- PeruCuscoLaresRío Trapiche13°6’13” S 72°2’40” W
Lares Trek
April 27 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Getting up early, early for my 2 day trek to Ollantaytambo on the Lares route. Typically you carry on to Machupicchu but as I already went to Machupicchu last year my Guide Francisco arranged for me to stop in Ollantaytambo instead.
We join up with the rest of the group, 5 from USA, one from France, and a couple from Spain. Our pitstop is at a market to grab some supplies before heading to the start of the trek. There are hot springs there but as it's at the start of the trek this isn't advised as its too relaxing, not sure why they offer it as part of the trek to be honest.
We start our ascent passing a river, which is a reasonable uphill. I was starting to struggle somewhat but nobody rushes you and everyone goes at their own pace.
We walk for several hours until we reach our lunch spot by a lovely river. It's a warm sunny day so sunscreen is essential and plenty of water of which I have ran out. Francisco gives me his supply as there is no water given till the next day as they have to boil and cool water down. I'm not feeling great, most likely altitude sickness. We sit down to eat a wonderful spread of chicken, pasta, vegetables I think plantain, and bread. I try to eat something as you burn more calories in high altitude.
We set off after lunch to our camp spot where we will be sleeping for the night. We pass some villages along the way, meeting some children that our Guide has sweets for, this seems to be a treat they look forward to receiving. We see
lots of Alpachas roaming amongst the hills. Unfortunately I am sick 😫, Francisco gives me a special ointment which you inhale and spread around your face, which helps with sickness and headaches caused by altitude, I don't know what's in it but I welcome it. I'm hoping a good night's sleep will make me feel better as day two is harder.
We settle in camp, I get my own tent thankfully and try and get a power nap although not very long as dinner is served. The food is plentiful but I don't have much of an appetite, I try eat anyway for strength.
Everyone is in great spirits with stories about their own countries, but to be honest I'm not in a sociable mood!
We finish up with dinner and check out the most amazing night sky, it's full of stars, and milkyway, Francisco gets his app open to see which named stars are in the sky that night, it's pretty cool 😎. If I was feeling good I would have stayed up later just to watch the stars and a chance to see shooting stars. But I'm hopeful I'll be better on day two. 🤞.Read more