My Camping Mistakes
Ever pictured a dream vacation, and then realized it was not exactly like your dream?
When planning my trip to Machu Pichu, I was over the moon excited. It was not like I had not been to dozens of amazing countries already, but traveling is like candy to me. The more the better. Plus it was my very first time backpacking.
My friend Samantha and I flew to Cuzco, spent one night at a cute boutique hotel, and the next morning started our 5 day trek to Machu Pichu, a total of 72 kilometers, mostly in high altitude. But I was not worried the least. I was in good shape and I had been running 7 miles daily for the two months prior to our "expedition." Note: if you can stay two days in Cuzco, do it. It is good to take longer to acclimate yourself to the altitude and Cuzco is adorable. Have the quinoa soup. Amazing!
Expedition Map
Now about the camping part, I had always been dying to camp since I was a kid. But sadly it had never been my parent's vacation MO. However, I had mountain climbed in Tunisia, hiked a glacier in Iceland, gone skydiving in Vegas, so a few nights in a tent did not scare me.
Next morning, my eyes were swollen and red, I could barely feel my feet because I was so cold, but I still reached the 4600 meters Salkantey peak without giving up. I didn't even take the horse I was offered. I guess I looked pretty exhausted. But it was all worth it.
Even if we didn't understand anything our "English" speaking guide was explaining. Perhaps you will say I should have learned Spanish while living in Miami for 5 years, but it wouldn't have helped. Our guide didn't even speak Spanish, only Quechuan, a native South American language. As for me trying to learn Spanish, I have tried. I took classes, I bought Rosetta Stone, and as a last resort, I dated a gorgeous Spanish speaking guy. It did not work.
Would I do it all over again? Yes, just a little differently. I learned the hard way that 5 days with margarine instead of butter is T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E and that paying extra for a good tent and a high quality sleeping bag is a must when camping.
Cuzco City
Cutest Peruvian little girl
Best Peruvian "Kiss"
Outskirts of Cuzco
So yes there were a few hiccups along the way, but given we paid only $300 for 5 days, I can't complain much. However I do recommend spending a little more money and booking your tour here: LLAMA PATH, which will be about $550 for the 5 days , including your entry ticket to Machu Pichu and a real English speaking guide.
And also make sure you get a Thermolite sleeping bag liner. It really helps making the sleeping bag warmer, it is more sanitary and you can use it as a blanket anytime you need it, which can happen often when trekking. I got mine at the REI Store. Best Investment ever!
Until next time ... Live, Love, Laugh & Travel
When planning my trip to Machu Pichu, I was over the moon excited. It was not like I had not been to dozens of amazing countries already, but traveling is like candy to me. The more the better. Plus it was my very first time backpacking.
Expedition Map
Now about the camping part, I had always been dying to camp since I was a kid. But sadly it had never been my parent's vacation MO. However, I had mountain climbed in Tunisia, hiked a glacier in Iceland, gone skydiving in Vegas, so a few nights in a tent did not scare me.
But then our tent couldn't be found.
Being tough girls, we didn't cry then ...
We acted like NO BIG DEAL ...
But then our replacement tent broke and our sleeping bags wouldn't zip. Oh did I mention that we were camping at the bottom of Mount Salkantay, a glacier capped summit. I wanted to die. It literally took everything in me to not break down and start sobbing. But how could I? It was all my idea. So I cried in silence, tears streaming down my eyes, no sound, I didn't want to wake up Samantha.
Next morning, my eyes were swollen and red, I could barely feel my feet because I was so cold, but I still reached the 4600 meters Salkantey peak without giving up. I didn't even take the horse I was offered. I guess I looked pretty exhausted. But it was all worth it.
Machu Pichu was pretty amazing too -:)
Even if we didn't understand anything our "English" speaking guide was explaining. Perhaps you will say I should have learned Spanish while living in Miami for 5 years, but it wouldn't have helped. Our guide didn't even speak Spanish, only Quechuan, a native South American language. As for me trying to learn Spanish, I have tried. I took classes, I bought Rosetta Stone, and as a last resort, I dated a gorgeous Spanish speaking guy. It did not work.
Would I do it all over again? Yes, just a little differently. I learned the hard way that 5 days with margarine instead of butter is T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E and that paying extra for a good tent and a high quality sleeping bag is a must when camping.
Cuzco City Cutest Peruvian little girl Best Peruvian "Kiss" Outskirts of CuzcoSo yes there were a few hiccups along the way, but given we paid only $300 for 5 days, I can't complain much. However I do recommend spending a little more money and booking your tour here: LLAMA PATH, which will be about $550 for the 5 days , including your entry ticket to Machu Pichu and a real English speaking guide.
And also make sure you get a Thermolite sleeping bag liner. It really helps making the sleeping bag warmer, it is more sanitary and you can use it as a blanket anytime you need it, which can happen often when trekking. I got mine at the REI Store. Best Investment ever!
Until next time ... Live, Love, Laugh & Travel
Comments
Post a Comment