It all started with a 2.30am wake up one Friday morning. We took a bus from the hotel (where GVI is based) for about 3hrs, until arriving in a small rural town called Chivay. After stopping for a brief Peruvian breakfast, half the group got off for an abbreviated, more luxurious Colca ´trek´, while the remaining six of us - Madeline (Norway), Janine (US), Jack (UK), Ollie (UK), Nina (Denmark) and myself - got back onto the bus for another few hours, heading towards the beginning of the Canyon.
On the way, stopped at condor look out + sited 3 large birds
Small touristy market overlooking the condor lookout
First day was 8km of downhill trekking. The view was absolutely gorgeous! The canyon was about 5000 feet upwards, so the thin atmosphere made it that much more difficult. By the time we reached the bottom our legs were shaking uncontrollably, which created problems for the 15min hike up a sharp incline towards our cabins.
In the middle of the hike with Oly
Oly and Jack
We arrived at about 1pm and had some lunch, before relaxing on the grass in the basin of the overwhelming canyon. Then we had a brief dinner, courtesy of our guide Victor, before heading to bed at about 8pm. (yes, we were exhuasted)
Eating lunch, day 1
Our first destination
Second day, we got up about 7ish for some yumm pancakes, before heading out for 7km across the canyon, involving various inclines up and down. This was probably the easiest day, but it was as hot as hell, so was far from your average stroll. At about 1pm we arrived at the lowes point of the Canyon, at a ´hotel´ called Paradise. It was bloody amazing. There was this great big swimming pool, nestled beside a bar that had walls overlooking the canyon. And there were so many other backpackers, in their 20s, all hiking the same trek as us so it was pretty cool to meet people and just relax. (which we didn´t really end up doing because we were still so exhuasted) After a huge lunch, followed shortly by an even bigger dinner - by candelight (there was no electricity) - we headed back to our rooms to relax and listen to Oly reading aloud ¨The Road¨. Which, for those who haven´t read it, is a fantastic book.
While stopping over at a gallery for a break, we met this GORGEOUS dog, shapup.
A woman sewing traditional clothing
The last day we awoke at 5am for our last and hardest hike - 6km up a very sharp incline, accompanied by loose falling stones, large stepping rocks and a very alarmingly thin path. I hiked up for about 3km, but my back caved in at about halfway, so i took a mule up the last few kms. This was probably one of the scariest things i´ve ever done! My fear of hights was confirmed by how close the mules walked to the edge, not to mention how unsteady they swayed with each step. The scenery was absolutely amazing though!
The mules that i road on the last few k´s up the mountain
Janine stretching at one of the points on the canyon. The path in the background shows part of the trek we hiked down on the first day.
Finally, though, we all reached the top and had bananas to celebrate, along with a group picture with Travis - an American guy travelling solo who we met along the way.
We then had bfast back in Chivay, before taking the 3hr bus ride home with many stops on the way. This of course included the hot springs, which i unfortunately didn´t go to because i was sick from brushing my teeth with some tap water in the Canyon. (I don´t recommend ANYONE trying that... honestly, not worth it)
Arrived home about 7pm, and fell asleep instantly, but not before having a long hot shower..
All in all, a good trek. I swear i can feel a few more muscles in my arms and legs...
No comments:
Post a Comment