Machu Picchu Challenge

What a fantastic experience. We spent two days in the jungle, canoeing in the swamp, exploring the Lost Lagoon, feeding wild monkeys, spotting several exotic birds, including numerous Macaws and standing well clear of tarantulas and snakes.

We then flew back to Cuzco and spent two days acclimatising to the altitude at 3,310 meters above sea level, by visiting various Inca Ruins around the city and a Llama Farm before beginning our unforgettable trek along the Inca Trail to the Lost City of Machu Picchu.

We spent four days on the Trail, achieving heights of 4,200 meters above sea level at Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwanusca), visiting more Inca Ruins in the Andeans on our way. We passed fantastic scenery, walking through rain forest as well as mountains and spotting more exotic birds and flowers, including orchids and the occasional spitting Llama.

Having got up at 3.30 am on the last morning to get to the Sun Gate (Intipunka) by sunrise, we were disappointed to find a layer of mist surrounding the mountains obscuring our view. However, the final leg into the site of Machu Picchu gave us a view so beautiful if took our breath away, we all felt very privileged to have viewed and walked round one of the Forgotten Wonders of the World, built several thousands of years ago by the sophisticated tribe of Incas.

Charity Trip
I undertook this challenge to raise money and awareness for MENCAP, for which I have raised approximately £2,000 by bag packing, thrift shop, street collections, fetes, letters, web site and collection tins situated in Macdonalds Bros, Butchers shop in Pitlochry and The Courtyard in Kenmore.

The Mencap charity is the UK’s leading learning disability charity and supports people with learning disabilities and their families and carers. About 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability, which affects intellectual and social development. My brother is one of these statistics, being both severely physically and mentally handicapped. We have, as a family, received tremendous support from Mencap and I feel honoured that I have been able to give something back to the Charity.

An enormous ‘thank you’ to all who have supported me in this venture, particularly to my other fellow travellers who helped me when I was struck down with Altitude sickness on my way up to Dead Woman’s Pass. Because of their cajoling, nagging and help and that of our guide Wilian Gonzales, I made it eventually to the top (see picture above) and was able to continue on with the rest of the Ancient Trail.

Anyone wishing to donate to Mencap, please contact me at The Armoury Tollhouse, Kenmore Street, Aberfeldy or Rory at Macdonalds Butchers, Pitlochry.