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| Peru "From
The Arts To The Andes"
So there we were - 35 of us gathered at Heathrow Airport at 3am about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. We were doctors, teachers, students, housewives and househusbands, charity workers, ambulance staff, chemists, yoga teachers, policemen - a real mixture. Our mission to walk the Andes in Peru at an altitude of 15,000 feet, for eight days. We had each raised £2500 for the charity, and that done it was time to walk. And walk. And walk! We flew
into Cusco, a former Inca capital, and the base for any walk across the
Andes. We had guides but it was so hard to ask questions en route - you are just so occupied with breathing at altitude - you have to walk so slowly, with walking poles as support, and it's essential to stop for breaks. As we climbed higher and higher, over rocky terrain you would occasionally be overtaken by tiny Peruvian children, scuttling up the mountains with their flip flops on! They were the real athletes! We camped out in stunning valleys, which we reached each evening at around 5.30pm - just before it got dark. Then we'd sit around comparing bruises, insect bites and swapping aspirins and anecdotes! The temperature plunges at night time so it was a case of eating and retiring to our tents to sleep - no late night partying! There was also no washing, wet wipes were the order of the day and don't even ask about the toilet arrangements...
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Each day it was up bright and early at 4.45am, breakfast in the crisp morning sunshine and then off - to walk as far as possible before lunch. We often did 12 hours a day and inevitably the group spread out, but the route was not on the standard tourist trail so whereas one might normally bump into a steady stream of tourists we were on our own for virtually the whole trek. Us, our guides and, oh yes, the 30 Llamas which were carrying equipment for the camp. We climbed through undergrowth, rocky cliffs, walking through the clouds it seemed - and up over snowy mountainsides! It was cold at times and it even rained - but the sights were so wonderful, it didn't matter. We met locals who'd come out of their mountain homes to look at us and say hello - what lovely friendly people. And there was even time to buy the local brightly coloured weavings that they offered us.
Throughout
we were encouraged by our destination - the most famous Inca site of all
- perhaps one of the most famous sites in the world - the lost city of
Machu Picchu. Sitting on a mountain top, the city with its wonderfully
preserved ruins was breathtaking and deeply moving. We stayed for hours
just sitting under the trees and marvelling at our surroundings. Some of us were battered and bruised, all had lost weight, but everyone had found the trek exhilarating - it was certainly one of the most amazing things I have ever done. But most importantly thanks to the huge generosity of all of our friends and supporters who sponsored us - it was a great success for Sense International and their work with deafblind children in Latin America. The best
thing is, Sense International are doing the trek again - in August 2003
and are looking for volunteers! I can't recommend it highly enough and
of course you are trekking for a great cause. If you are interested call
Kate Moger on 020 7281 4373 or visit the website www.senseinternational.org.uk
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Visit
a Website... |
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Sense
International is the only UK charity working for deafblind people throughout
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| Recommended Lonely Planet Guide
From the floating island on Lake Titicaca to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu, Peru offers the traveler a wealth of spectacular attractions. Whether you're interested in exploring the Amazon rainforest, viewing the icy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca or experiencing the pulse of modern Lima, this nuts-and-bolts guide will tell you how to make the most of your time and money.
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| ©2003 Fabulous Holidays (reproduced with kind permission from Sense International and Nina Nannar) |
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