PHOTOGRAPHY
TREK TO MACHU PICCHU
Route: Cachora to Capuliyoc Pass down to Apurimac River Gorge, up other side to campground at Santa Rosa. We started out at our campground in Cachora 9,495,’ headed to the Capuliyoc lookout, descended steeply 4,000′ through a forest of differing vegetation to the Apurimac
Rising early we trekked along a rising zigzag trail to the hamlet of Marampata for a snack stop. From there onwards, we saw the ruins of Choquequirao ever more clearly, especially the cascading terraces.
Beautiful clouds swirling over the mountains when we woke up to celebrate Elizabeth Burn’s 81st Birthday. This was our day to really spend time in Choquequirao “Cradle of Gold” in the Quechua language.
Trek Day Four: Route: Choquequirao to Maizal This was the hardest day of the trek in terms of physical challenge.
We were up before dawn in order to get an early start for a twelve mile day which included breathtaking scenery when we arrived at San Juan Pass, 14,432.’ Before reaching the pass, there were many stretches of ancient Inca stone paths
We passed workers planting potatoes as we began to really climb up the winding trail to Totora Pass. It was very steep, grueling, slow going.
On our fifteen mile day we traversed a wide variety of scenery and vegetation following the Santa Teresa River. There were terraces of gigantic corn plants, numerous waterfalls and small streams
We began the day by bidding farewell to our invaluable arrieros and animals. Clark planned a wonderful ceremony for the tipping and gifts.