The Peru 2002 Trekking Expedition came about from the interest generated in our regular activity focusing on Pre-Colombian Societies. In this activity the students learned about ancient societies like the Incas and Aztecs.
The expedition members started their journey by flying from London to Madrid and then onto Lima and their well earned overnight stay in a very beautiful hotel. After breakfast it was back to the airport and their Lima to Cusco internal flight which gave them their first glimpse of the Andes.
Cusco is situated at an altitude of 3200m. Walking from the terminal building to our awaiting bus came as a bit of a shock to those people who had never been at such an altitude before. Living at this height for the next week would be perfect acclimatisation for our trek along the Inca Trail.
The first few days were spent visiting local ancient settlements and ruins. Cusco itself is full of Inca built temples including the famous Sun Temple, which was later destroyed by the invading Spanish. A full day excursion along the Sacred Valley, North of Cusco, gave the students a better understanding of the extent of Inca society and an insight into why they worshipped mother earth (Pacha Mama) - this was truly breathtaking scenery.
With so much to see and do during our two week stay, we even managed to squeeze a few extra activities into our so-called free-days. One activity was a white water rafting trip down the Uribamba River. Another took us high above Cusco on horseback to the ancient temple called Sachsewyman where later in the week we would all return and celebrate the Festival Of the Sun (Inta Ryami) with approximately 30,000 other people.
Soon preparations for our 4-day Inca Trail trek were upon us. With everybody restricted to only 10kg in their main rucksack, all luxury items would have to be left behind in our hotel. We need not have worried, as our porters and cooks during our trek looked after us and fed us as if we were Inca kings and queens. They were fantastic.
The trek itself is breathtaking, literally. The early morning starts got earlier and the walking days longer. Day 2 especially is a long day with 18km to walk and two mountain passes of 4000m to crossover. Our campsite that particular night was such a welcome sight. Day 4 involved getting up at 4am and breaking camp by 4.45am. For the next hour the group walked by torchlight until the sun eventually rose as they were resting at the ancient Inca Sun Gate. Here they got their first view of Machu Pichu, the ancient and famous Inca settlement. The Spanish invaders never reached this far into the mountains so the settlement is still intact and free-standing. Our guide mesmerised us with explanations of how the Inca people would have made certain buildings the way they did. The architecture and engineering involved is staggering.
The train and bus journey back to Cusco passed quickly, as everyone fell asleep as soon as they sat down. Our journey back to the UK was equally sleep-filled with everyone looking very radiant in either their Peruvian souvenir pullovers or by simply looking incredibly healthy and sun tanned.
Peru will be a destination St. Clare's will visit again. The interest generated by initially, a classroom-based activity, combined with a truly rewarding field trip, is a combination we hope to repeat many times as the benefits and rewards are measureless.
A big 'well done' to all those who took part!
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