Wow its been 2 years since I put pen to paper so to speak metaphorically (more like hand to keyboard) anyways needed to recount some amazing memories from Peru, my new favorite place of all time. Spent 2 weeks in the Latin part of the world and each day was brilliant, except for one day in the jungle when the mosquitoes, heat and humidity got to us but that's all fine print.
Anyways will try to recount some lasting memories and impressions. First couple of days was spent getting acclimatized to life in Cusco, visiting marketplaces trying to get in the food and meet up with school friends after like forever. Did a couple of activities too, SaschayWaman, where we got jibbed for the passes (fricking 60 soles) but the ruins are nice. The second day was spent in the Maras and Moray ruins, where we went mountain biking, quite exhilarating at times, maybe too much so for some people. The ruins were beautiful perfectly circular and a lot of terraces, we thought it was an amphitheater although it turned out to be an agricultural thing by the Incas. Apparently it was built so they could explore the soil levels at different levels and grow different crops at these levels, highly sceptical whether this would have worked, the little knowledge that I know naysays the Incas. Whatever worked for them I guess.

The biking was steep and the vistas were beautiful, the moutains are tropical similar to the Sahyadris. The greenery was quite becoming. We made it back safe and sound without any injuries mostly other than Shyam's ankle sprain, which ironically came off the bike. All set now for the Great Incan trail, got ready with the clothes etc, that we needed for this trail. Got going early the next morning and spent 4 great days upto the climax of the lost Incan City, Macchu Picchu.

To summarize the hike, Day 1 warmup, started from the train station and the highlights were the Lacta Pacta ruins and another ruins which was debatable if it was Incan or not. Second day was the hardest it was a straight up climb from 3100 to 4200 masl (10,000 to 13,500 ft). It was brutal and energy sapping, not for no reason is it called Dead Puma's (Woman's) pass, depending on whom you ask. After that headed down to the campsite where as usual the porters had our tents ready and were preparing food. More to follow where I comment on the luxuries you are afforded for such a hike. Day 3 had the prettiest vistas of them all, where you first climbed some more and then there were the Peruvian flats, which is basically trails that go up and down randomly. It was fine and dandy but a long day nevertheless. We also saw the Macchu Picchu mountain and though we were at a higher elevation saw nothing of the Lost City. Truly remarkable that this city remained hidden amid the plundering of the Conquistadors. I did probably my favorite off the trail screwing around of all time, when we stopped for a break and I went and climbed up some other peak, it was absolutely awesome, felt like I was bushwhacking because the trail was overrun with heavy shrubs and trees but I finally got up to the peak that I had seen from far away. Coming back was worse because I could not see the trail fell down about 5 ft twisted my ankle in the process but it was more than worth it. The feeling of uniqueness and exhilaration was mind blowing.

Finally the big day, day 4 when we would get to see the city shrouded in mystique and glory, nominated as one of the wonders of the world. We got up at 4am said good bye to some of the hardest working people on the planet, our porters, the stuff they carry up that unforgiving trail is awe inspiring, from meal tables, chairs, tents, to all the food for the 4 days. The hiking we do with our backpacks seems all too run of the mill. Got to sun gate before sunrise, and finally got a glimpse of Macchu Picchu in the dark, not quite as breathtaking as I imagined, but it grew on me gradually. The sun came out and lit the city and finally we got to see it in all its splendor, we walked down to the ruins and explored it along with our guides who was yakking away as he had done the past 4 days. It was informative in parts but I used to space out way too often, which is probably a hearkening to my engineering days. After a quick steep hike up to HuaynaPicchu, where the views from above are vertigo inducing and truly 360 degrees, we made our way down to Aguas Calientes. We took the train, bus back to Cusco that night and thus ended our sojourn down the Great Incan Trail. All in all a hike more than worth doing with all the desired characteristics, its hard, has brilliant and breathtaking views and also encompasses so many different things to see and do that it leaves you with lasting memories.