You can’t go to Peru and not see Machu Picchu. That’s like going to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower. So once we entered this beautiful country we had a mission. Since I had my fair share of hiking already, I didn’t really feel the urge to walk the actual Inca trail (besides the fact that you have to book this 6 months in advance…). Instead, we signed up for an Inca Jungle trekking. Hiking, rafting, zip-lining, and mountain biking, it will all bring us closer to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.
Inca Jungle Trekking
Starting our adventure at 4200m with mountain biking the winding roads of the Andes was a good call. Properly geared up and ready to race down those mountains all the way down to 1500m. I might not be the ultimate Dutchie that loves cycling (quite the opposite to be fair), but honestly, this was pretty cool. The views were amazing, and so was the speed.
Extreme sports and good-looking outfits
It seems like it’s the trekking of looking ridiculous though. There’s something about extreme sports that don’t make you look very flattering. Looking like a Ninja during mountain biking, like a Power Ranger (and not the sexy yellow or pink one!) during zip lining, and just retarded during rafting. Oh well, you gotta own up to it, right? As an ultimate sucker for sports like these, you couldn’t make me happier though. Crazy rivers for one of the best rafting I’ve ever done, pretending to be Superman while zip-lining, and crossing canyons and rivers in very creative ways all add up to the adrenaline rush. And make me one happy camper.
Meet the locals
The Inca Jungle Trail is not all about mountains, rivers, extreme sports, and Machu Picchu as the cherry on the cake. It’s also about daily life and the local communities in this part of the Andes. We tried lots of locally grown fruits, the best chocolate ever, and some snake tequila. I do have to say that the meals were a bit strange. Dinners and lunches normally contain meat with rice, fries, mashed potatoes (from a package), and three green peas, if you’re lucky. I kid you not. Very nutritious. What makes them think that you need rice, fries, and mashed potatoes all at once?! I still haven’t figured this one out.
Machu Picchu sunrise sessions
Since Machu Picchu is of course the ultimate tourist attraction, you wanna make it up there before the rest of the crowd does. So there we went, hiking up those freaking steps at 4 in the morning. Only to arrive there together with a bunch of others who caught a bus at 5.30 am. It kind of feels like we’re doing something wrong here. Nonetheless, we actually get to say we followed the Inca footsteps all the way to the top.
The magic of Machu Picchu
As if the clouds knew we were coming, they slowly started to disappear the moment we set foot on the Inca premises leaving behind this gorgeous view of sky-high mountains and of course, Machu Picchu! Another place where words don’t seem to do it justice. A 360-degree view that can’t be beaten.
Back to civilization
Pretty much done with eating carbs 24/7 and hiking in humidity, it was time to make our way back to the beautiful city of Cusco. Longing for cold Corona’s, a very comfy bed, and good food we said goodbye to the mystical Andes and Machu Picchu. Another world wonder we can tick off our list. And Machu Picchu, you were absolutely magical.
Marthe
Photos by: M. Barends, J. Roeland ©
