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Deepest Darkest Peru
Deepest Darkest Peru
Why did I decide that I was going to trek the Inca Trail and visit the lost city of Machu Picchu? From an early age of watching films about the adventures of Tarzan and Indiana Jones I have always wanted to go in search of lost civilizations in far away places. This is my account of a life long ambition to walk the Inca Trail and sample the culture of Deepest Darkest Peru.
A to Z of Peru
From A to Z a list of the main points on our journey through Peru.
Tiny's Top Tips
1. Cover yourself in insect repellant when visiting Machu Picchu. I was bitten all over my arms.
2. Ensure you have enough charged batteries for your cameras.
3. Invest in a portable solar battery charger to carry on the trail.
4. At every opportunity buy bottled water on the Inca Trail.
5. Drink plenty of Coca Leaf tea to help with the Altitude.
18th Sept 2008 - Lake Titikaka
Our day started with a crazy tricycle race through the streets of Puno down to the harbour to pick up our boat to the Reed Islands. The nine tricycles set off through the heavy traffic sounding their horns weaving through the buses and cars. We boarded our boat and set off through the narrow channel od reeds to discover a community living on the floating island made entirely from the reeds found in the lake. On our arrival the group was given a talk on how the community created the islands from the reeds and how they live a sustainable life. Then we where shown around the individual houses followed by a trip across the enclosed harbour in a large reed catamaran boat.
Leaving the reed islands we had a three hour boat trip to the island of Amantani where we would be spending the night with the farming community found on the island. Their hospitality was amazing and after seeing the sun set over the lake they held a party for us in a courtyard with a local band playing tunes for us all to dance to through the night. It was great fun dancing with the girls in the traditional dresses and the guys in the ponchos and alpaca hats.
Charity Trek
I have now raised £210 for the charity Riders for Health whilst on the Machu Picchu trek via my Justgiving Account.
17th Sept 2008 - Altiplano
From Cuzco it was a ten hour bus ride across the Altiplano to the city of Puno on the shore of Lake Titikaka. The road passes through the high Andes Mountains with stunning views of the flat planes stretching out to the base of the mountains on the horizon. Here you could literally touch the clear blue sky above.
Email received from Astrid at Riders.
Dear Anthony,
Well done for raising £200.00 through your trek to Machu Pichu! Fundraising isn't easy, particularly in the current economic climate, so congratulations on reaching your goal, which really will make a difference to our programmes in Africa. I looked at your site which I have to say is really well set up and I loved the photos!
We do appreciate your support as it makes such an important contribution towards ensuring the delivery of vital health care to people living in isolated communities across rural Africa. In fact, it is because of the support we receive from caring people such as yourself that over 1,000 professional health workers across Africa have the means to reach all the people under their care. Working within Riders' system of managed transportation, they are now able to do the job that they were trained to do and can repeatedly reach all the people they are assigned to serve.
This is borne out by a recent independent evaluation of our work, carried out at no cost to ourselves, which shows that mobilised health workers are reaching four times the volume of people being reached on foot (the alternative means of access). They are diagnosing and treating 261% more cases of diarrhoea, 75% more cases of acute respiratory infection and 55% more cases of malaria. In the Gambia, which is Riders' youngest programme, the number of fully immunised infants has already reached 73%.
The result is that over 10.8 million women, men and children across Africa are now accessing the basic health care services taken for granted in the developed world. So all of us at Riders would like to thank you for helping us to achieve so much.
With very best wishes,
Astrid
Tiny Travel TV Channel
Deepest Darkest Peru TV
See our Adventure, which starts with our flight to Lima and our journey into the Rain Forest.
All Episodes now Available in one viewer
Trip Schedule
06 Sept 2008 - 19 Sept 2008
16 Sept 2008 - Inca Trail
Following my initial apprehension the four day trek turned out to be a once in a life time experience. The walking was difficult but also rewarding too. The first day lasted for 11km of a steady climb into the mountains to the first overnight camp. The second was the most difficult with a climb through the Dead Woman Pass at 4200m. I was at the point of giving up but was encouraged by the others in our group to make it through. The third day lead us to the our camp high above the Machu Picchu mountain ready for the last trek to the Sun gate and the lost city on the fourth.
15th Sept 2008 - Cuzco
Cuzco is an ancient Inca City in the heart of Peru at an altitude of 3300m. The city has lots of churches and plazas to explore and is a great place to rest and aclimitise to the altitude.
10 Sept 2008 - The Rain Forest
Just completed our three day trek into the Amazon Rain forest, had a great time walking, river boating and relaxing. Went on some long treks in the forest and saw some amazing trees and wildlife. Next stop is Cuzco to prepare for the Inca Trail trek.
The Book
Available Now
The written account of our adventure
"Deepest Darkest Peru"
04 Sept 2008 - Almost Time to Head Off
Just two days to go before we head off on our trip. Lots to think about and even more packing to sort out. Mo has been buying lots of bits and bobs so we should be one of the most prepared couples in the Andes. I reckon the sink will be packed soon. The plane leaves at 6:00am on Saturday to Amsterdam and then a thirteen hour flight to Lima so it is going to be a long first day. I must admit that I have some aprehension over the trekking part of the trip due to the high altitude and nature of the terrain we will be walking. Then again I feel excitment at the thought of going on the trip and experiencing the mystic of the Inca Civilization. I hope to update these pages during our trip if I can find any internet cafes in Peru.........
30 Aug 2008 - Money
Went to Manchester to pick up our travellers cheques from American Express this morning. Handed over a load of cash in exchance for $100 cheques. It takes ages to sign them all...............
19 Aug 2008 - Final Preparations
There are not many days left before Mo and I embark on a journey of a life time. We have been planning this trip for over twelve months now. Our travel arrangements came in the post the other day to confirm our flight details and transfers in Lima. We also recieved our day packs from the tour company which are for when we are on the Inca Trail. Each of us is only allowed to take 10 kg of baggage on that section of the trip. These regulations are strictly enforced and were created to reduce environmental damage to the Inca Trail.
08 Aug 2008 - Injections
I have now had all my injections for Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid and have been feeling a bit under the weather the past few days, but I was warned about this. Malaria is another concern and there has been some confusion to how many tablets are required for the trip. I have enough for seven weeks worth of treatment.
The next thing to organise is our travel money and it is recommended to take US Dollars because they are accepted all over Peru and give a good exchange rate compared to the British Pound.
Hard back version £20.00 plus p&p
Printed: 104 pages, 8.25" x 10.75", casewrap-hardcover binding, white interior paper (80# weight), full-colour interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-colour exterior ink
Paper back version £8.50 plus p&p
Printed: 100 pages, 5.83" x 8.26", perfect binding , white interior paper (60# weight), black and white interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-colour exterior ink
Comments
Comments
Mand Says: 02/09/2008 Tue PM 05:06:39 BST
This looks amazing …
Have a fab time both of you ….
Love
Mand, Steve, Lewis and Cory
xxxx
Linz Says: 13/10/2008 Mon PM 02:34:07 BST
Excellent shots and filming Tiny, it looks like both you and Mo had a once in a life time experience.
Linz & Mike x
Ron Says: 16/10/2008 Thu PM 23:50:34 BST
Well Son, It looks as though you had a fabulous time, im enjoying the video's and the music, but its good to have you home, Dad. :-) :-)
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