UJ #9 - Adventure in Peru

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A MODERN PILGRIMAGE Above: The porters, mostly from the village of Huilloc, are enviably fit. They take the lead every day and are responsible for preparing the camp site and meals. Opposite page, left: Wiñay Wayna is 3.3 kilometres from Machu Picchu and is the last archaeological site on the route to the sanctuary. Opposite page, right: Intipunku or the Gate of the Sun, is the first place from which you can see the citadel. Opposite page, below: Temple of the Sacred Stone. Christian Declercq pass, at 3,800 m.a.s.l., after a visit to the ruins of the same name. And even if you leave first, the porters soon catch up. While you are pacing yourself, breathing in time with each step, the guides overtake you easily, and instead of trainers they wear rubber sandals called ojotas. Born and raised in the Andes around Cusco, they are perfectly adapted to the altitude and difficult trails of the zone. They carry the tents, rucksacks and food, the gas bottle and cooker, while you carry just your daysack. They are the heroes of the trail and companions with whom you develop a close relationship. The majority come from highland communities in Urubamba such as Huilloc, Soqma, Misminay or Pallta, where Andean traditions are still maintained. Their mother tongue is Quechua, the colours of their clothes distinguish them from the people of other places, and their main occupations are farming and weaving of elaborate fabrics. The men can work as porters on the Inca Trail and over the years have established certain rules: the minimum tariff is 40 soles a day plus tips, and the law says that they cannot carry more than 20 kilos. The porters cover the second stage quickly because they have to get to Wiñay Wayna before the walkers, to set up the camp site. On the way, the visitors have the opportunity to explore places such as Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca, which is probably the best-preserved site on the route and includes stretches of stone-paved road beautifully built into the mountain side and a tunnel through the living rock. And finally, after descending a stone stairway, you arrive at Wiñay Wayna. Wiñay Wayna, as we have said, is the last stop before Machu Picchu. The camps are set up on a large flat area adjacent to Inca terraced fields and the excitement of being close to one of the great marvels of the world is shared by everyone. The site is located at 2,650 m.a.s.l., the sun sets behind the mountains and Wiñay Wayna, an astonishing settlement that contains dozens of perfectly designed terraces, is enveloped in the darkness. The tents are lit by lanterns and the travellers enjoy a final meal. The stars shine in the night sky. It is 8 o’clock in the evening and time to get some sleep. Getting up on the small hours is hard, but the end of the trek is at hand. You dress, prepare your rucksack and have breakfast, and then the porters arrive one by one. It is an emotional moment. And then it is time to get started. Machu Picchu is not far away. The reason for the early start is to see the citadel at dawn, when it is still partially covered by mist and you can experience the mysticism of Andean culture. The trail descends and encourages the walkers to step out. And then, without realising it, you reach Intipunku (Gate of the Sun), the entrance to the citadel. Behind it, as if protected by the clouds, is the world’s best-known Inca citadel: Machu Picchu. THE PORTERS MOTHER TONGUE IS QUECHUA, THE COLOURS OF THEIR CLOTHES DISTINGUISH THEM FROM THE PEOPLE OF OTHER PLACES, AND THEIR MAIN OCCUPATIONS ARE FARMING AND WEAVING Christian Declercq
Christian Declercq Rodrigo Cabrera Christian Declercq /33
Page 1: PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT IN THE SANCTUAR
Page 5 and 6: INCA TRAIL Special 46 INDEX 52 70 6
Page 7 and 8: perupati Somos Lo mejor del Perú e
Page 9 and 10: Elias Mujica AWARD FOR THE BEST WOR
Page 11 and 12: SIERRA DEL DIVISOR In Mid November,
Page 13 and 14: THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU IS P
Page 15 and 16: Christian Declercq Previous page, a
Page 17 and 18: Christian Declercq Christian Decler
Page 19: The ruins of Phuyupatamarca stand a
Page 22 and 23: IN THE SANCTUARY Rodrigo Cabrera St
Page 24 and 25: A MODERN PILGRIMAGE A modern pilgri
Page 26 and 27: A MODERN PILGRIMAGE Christian Decle
Page 28 and 29: Christian Declercq A MODERN PILGRIM
Page 30 and 31: A MODERN PILGRIMAGE Above and below
Page 34 and 35: A MODERN PILGRIMAGE INCA TRAIL PROG
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Page 39 and 40: Trail on the hillside. Retaining wa
Page 41 and 42: Do academics find it so difficult t
Page 43 and 44: monumental nature of the road and t
Page 45 and 46: O x y g e n E n h a n c e d T o u r
Page 47 and 48: Christian Declercq Christian Decler
Page 49 and 50: IÑANPARI AIRPORT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SI
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Page 53 and 54: Zacarias de Ugarte A SELECTION OF T
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Page 57 and 58: Christian Declercq /57
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Page 61 and 62: CHOQUEQUIRAO PROGRAMME 4D/3N DAY 1
Page 63 and 64: Mario Ortiz de Zevallos Businessman
Page 65 and 66: Christian Declercq It was in the ea
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Page 71 and 72: Sacred mountain Touching heaven on
Page 73 and 74: pending on the year and season, the
Page 75 and 76: Ausangate provides water and food f
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Page 80 and 81: Diego del Rio PATHS OF ADVENTURE
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PATHS OF ADVENTURE Above: Lakes at
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PATHS OF ADVENTURE Right and Below:
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PATHS OF ADVENTURE BIKING HALF DAY:
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EXPAT Andreas Holland "MY LOVE OF T
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AGENDA AGENDA NATIONAL MARINERA DAN
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Caratula Lima Tours ING mtro.indd 2
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UJ #9 - Adventure in Peru

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