Choquequirao.
April 2011.
The site of Machu Picchu being saturated and very expensive, we prefer to visit the lost city of Choquequirao.
But we can access only by foot, after a trek of two days.
The day before departure, we take a room in a hospedaje to organize our things.
In the early morning, bags and supplies are loaded on six animals by our two guides.
And off we go for an unforgettable walk.
We cross bridges, we go along ravines ...
At kilometer 10, is a well-deserved lunch break.
And we begin 1500 meters of descent, Choquequirao being at the top of a mountain, but on the other side of the stream.
At the eighteenth kilometer, we are exhausted but happy to finally arrive at our camp.
The feet are tired and our guides wonder why we walk with boots!
But it rains all night long, and our tent purchased in Cusco is not waterproof at all.
In the morning, the morale is still good in spite of the continuous rain!
Another group of tourists decides to turn back, but we do not give up so easily despite our wet sleeping bags,
and we rely on our good fortune.
But at kilometer 27, it is still raining ...
This time our guide wonders why he is walking with sandals.
Shortly after our arrival at the second camp site, the rain stops and we try to dry our things.
As the ground is very wet, we prepare a good mattress with plants to isolate ourselves from the ground as much as we can.
And we spend a good night.
At dawn, the weather is superb.
After all these efforts, we are eager to discover the city of Choquequirao.
But we still have to walk two hours before arriving at the site entrance.
We are alone and the place is exceptional!
What a contrast with Machu Picchu!
We take a small break with Inca Cola and grilled corn.
This bright yellow beverage with a taste of chewing-gum is No. 1 in Peru. Kids love it.
We visit this magnificent site, lost in the jungle.
To see the famous "llamas terraces" we must go 300 meters down on the other side of the mountain.
But beware of the trees on the trail ...
We admire these splendid terraces.
The city, at the border of the Inca empire, dominates several valleys and the view is breathtaking.
By late afternoon, it is time to return to the camp.
The clouds lift a bit, allowing us to glimpse the snowy peaks surrounding us.
To celebrate this great challenge, Matthieu takes out a bottle of Argentinian Champagne,
and invites our guides to share it.
One calls his teammate "Ven aqui Jose, hay Wisky" ...
We leave the next day at dawn and we cross again the river after descending 1500 meters.
As we have decided to walk back the 30 km in one day, children get on the horses for the big climb.
We have to say that our Engus courageously walked all the way back.
We reach the village at night, exhausted but very proud to have achieved this great challenge,
despite the long distance, mosquitoes and rain ...
70 km walk, it is not nothing!