Inca Jungle Trek | Part III

Friday, February 27, 2015

Day 3 of the Inca Jungle Trek.

After breakfast, most of our group went zip lining, which we chose to skip since we did something similar in Costa Rica, and we didn't want to pay extra for it. Instead, we took a post-breakfast nap until we were kicked out of bed by the housekeepers at 8:45am. Talk about an early checkout time. We got coffee and read on the patio of a cafe until our group was back.

We spent the day walking from from 10am to 4pm, Hydroelectrica to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu  I say walking instead of hiking because it was a flat trail, mostly along the train tracks. There was a 2 hour lunch break (way too long) somewhere in the middle during which our guide went missing. We spent a lot of time complaining about the guide, being in a group, and how busy the entire trail was. We just aren't made for group tours. I kept reminding myself it'd be worth it once we made it to Machu Picchu.

The scenery changed dramatically in one day. It was cloudy, drizzling rain, very jungly, and lush, as opposed to sunny, hot, and dusty the day before. The foliage was incredibly beautiful. I went overboard photographing the tropical flowers and crazy hanging ferns.

By the end of the third day, I had developed 3 big blisters despite wearing hiking boots that were well worn. Nothing could dampen the excitement to see Machu Picchu though.

Aguas Calientes is a pretty big city, compared to the ramshackle towns where we had overnighted the first two nights. It was buzzing with excitement—half the people in town preparing to see Machu Picchu the following morning, the other half having just come down from seeing Machu Picchu. It was fun to guess who was in which group.

- Julia


17 comments :

  1. Beautiful photos, would love the visit here someday :)

    http://www.mintnotion.com

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  2. tropical flowers and crazy hanging ferns?? they're gorgeous <3

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  3. Your photos are always gorgeous and breathtaking. I love how you guys are so adventurous and enjoy in every steps that you guys went.

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  4. These photos are just stunning! I'm feeling some serious wanderlust creeping in...

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  5. Love! The vegetation is so lush and your contrast of colour is simply gorgeous! Question: do you end up printing the photos you take? How do you decide which ones to print (cause they are all so beautiful!)?

    Andrea | http://nomoneywilltravel.com

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  6. Luckily it was Machu Picchu you were walking towards. Had it been a far less interesting place, you would have left that tour guide minding his own business, I suppose. Julia, I've said this for the nth time by now, but your photos are just so beautiful -- too beautiful that made me envy, in a good way. :)

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  7. Beautiful photos.

    xx Cheyenne
    www.bohemianjourneys.blogspot.com

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  8. Those hammocks look dreamy :) so excited to the see Machu Pichu from your eyes...hurry, hurry!

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  9. Wonderful pictures, so full of life, nature and colours!

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  10. Amazing... Beautiful pictures and what a trip! Can't wait for whatever you post next.

    Your life!! my god!

    Valentina
    Valentina Duracinsky Blog

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  11. Beautiful Images, I love how you guys are so adventurous and enjoy in every steps that you guys went.

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  12. We are bloggers from http://newsfromnomads.com/ and for us photography and movies are important, that's why we really like your blog! Great job and keep continuing!

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  13. I'm a blogger from the North Country and it's so refreshing to read your stories. I just want to go to the South right now :) http://northernexposureproject.com

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  14. Such an awesome photos taken in the jungle.Really love your trekking journey!!

    Cheers,
    Mark

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  15. Thanks a lot for the blog post.Really thank you!
    diwali wishes

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