I recently completed the 4 day trek on the Inca Trail in Peru. Here are my photographsPeru

Thanks Janet - these are wonderful. All the pictures on the trail are great, but my favourites are the flowers & the weaver - you've really captured them well!

Congratualations!

P.S. Did you have any problems with altitude sickness?

Yes I did suffer From altitude sickness. The second day we hike to 14,000 feet. On the way up the mountain I developed a headache and nausea. With every step I took I thought I was going to become ill. The younger and fit participants at the top were cheering me on. Plus I had people walking with me for support. When we finally made it to camp I found it odd that I would suddenly fall down. At one point when I was trying to go to my tent I was weaving and unable to get there without assistants. I knew the symptoms of altitude sickness but I was unaware, because of the sickness, of what was happening. I kept laughing every time I fell down. I thought it was because the ground wasn’t flat. I only became concerned when the guides became concerned at my symptoms. Then I realized I was in trouble. They said my eyes were clear and that I should be okay. I also lost my appetite and I had to force myself to eat. I pretty much trekked that afternoon with only a small bowl of soup for lunch. I went to bed that night wondering if I would make it to morning. But I did and I was ready to go for day three.

Hi Janet,
I have't been on here for a few weeks and was delighted to see your topic. My dh and I (both seniors) are planning a 5-6 day visit to MP and Sacred Valley in November (not the best time, I know - but we'll be there after a cruise so can't pick the time)

Would you please give the places/hotels that you stayed before & after the trail? We travel on a budget and some of the hotels are $500 -$700 a night! Way impossible for us.

Any other hints would be appreciated too.

I'm sorry that you suffered with the altitude sickeness. Did you start out with the coca tea? Or leaves? Did you have medicine with you? What a story! You are very brave and determined.

I'd love to hear more of your story.

Carol

And I loved your pics. Was there a festival in Cusco where there is a group of men all dressed up in their fancy regalia? I particularly loved the pics of the children. And the market. Oh, I am ready to go!

Janet, great photos! I really enjoyed the around town photos of the people and also the hiking photos on the way up. Great photo at the top with the clouds.

I've wanted to do MP for a couple of years now, but can't quite lock in the dates with friends.

I'm also curious if you tried the coca leaves and whether it was coca tea that they were serving you? Did you take anything for your Altitude Sickness? I'm glad that you were okay by the third day.

What a great accomplishment for you! Thanks for sharing your pictures.

quote:

Would you please give the places/hotels that you stayed before & after the trail?

I travel with a group called zephyradventures.com.The hotel we stayed at in Cusco is called the Casa Andina Cusco PLaza Hotel Casa Andina[/URL]
It was a wonderful location near the main square. The rooms were sparse but the lobby and breakfast room was nice. I believe our room was around $120.00. I would stay there again if I went to Cusco.
The hotel we stayed at right before we hit the trail I do not remember the name. The web site has one hotel that we were originally going to stay at but when more people booked the tour we switched hotels. This is the one the tour had booked. Pakaritampu Hotel
The hotel we stayed at is the same owners. It was a beautiful place. I loved it. Just don't remember the name.What

I did not take any cocoa leaves. It was my understanding that one would need to consume a large quantity to be effective. I also did not take any altitude sickness medication. Some of the people in our group did before the trek and they became ill from the medication. If I were to do it again (and I don't think I will...this cured my mid-life crises) I would take the medication.
The dancers in Cusco are Competing. I can’t remember what our guide said the outcome would be for the winner. But he told me that the audience would call on their cell phones to chose their favorite. The dancing went on for a few hours. Each group had their own band. It was very exciting to see this contest. The Peruvians have a great pride in their country and its heritage. The students and children are delightful! In fact we were enveloped in the warmth of the people in Peru. They do not share the wealth that we enjoy in this country but they make up for it in warmth and kindness. If you go to Peru be ready for hugs and smiles.
If you go it would be very helpful to hire a guide. There is so much wonderful history and the guides telling of the stories is enchanting.

Casa Andina Cusco Plaza Hotel

Here is the URL from the hotel in Cusco. It didn't make it in the previous post. Also, zephyr adventures has a blog if you are interested in more details of the trip. You do need to sign up for it. But you will not get any spam or a bunch of emails from zephyr if you do sign up.You can get to it from their web site.

Janet, thanks for the additional info. The warmth of the people really shows in your photos (wonderful smiles). Peru & MP is definitely on my short (but getting longer) list for reasons you mentioned.

Brahmama, enjoy your trip in November! I'm really envious.