1st Oct - 5th Oct - Huaraz, Peru

We arrived in Huaraz which was surrounded by snow capped mountains called Cordillera Blanca and Alex was like a kid in a sweet shop - deciding what we were going to do while we were there. There were so many options of treks and climbs but we only had limited time there. We had spoken to Amy and Sym on Skype and they were going through the Panama Canal in 5 days time and needed line handlers. We ended up booking flights from Lima to Panama City! (very excited to be going back to the boat..I want to live on there!)

Back to Huaraz.. we finally decided we would do a 3 day mountain climb called Urus. I was really nervous after jelly legs last time.

When we were booking it a Dutch boy called Ronnie came in to book a trek and we convinced him to join us.

First day was a four hour walk to base camp which was pretty straight forward, then it was sleep for a couple of hours and get up at 2am to start the climb. It was really hard and Ronnie and I both struggled with altitude. Alex was like Mr Motivator as usual powering it up the mountain, jumping around taking photos!

As soon as we reached the snow I had a new lease of energy as I knew it must mean we were near to the summit, We reached the top around 9.00am and the weather was perfect, you could see for miles..it all seemed like the hard work was worth it..and then we had to walk back down!!

We were sleeping an extra night so I just got back to the tent and was exhausted while Alex was trying to convince the guide to do another summit with him...nuts.

Ronnie arrived down shortly after and collapsed in his tent with just his boots hanging out of the door which made me feel better!

It was my first mountain, and I loved being on the snow with crampons.

We were both reluctant to leave Huaraz but it was one overnight bus and then we were flying to Panama.

Room with a view!
Sunrise





Romol, our guide...

27th Sept - 30th Sept - Huacachina, Peru

Lee and Krista (from London, who had been on our rafting trip) were going sandboarding and dune buggying so we decided to follow them.

It was such a contrast form Cusco, it was like a holiday within the holiday. A lake surrounded by huge sand dunes that streched for miles and miles. Our hostel had a swimming pool so while the boys hired snowboards for the dunes me and Krista sunbathed.

The next day we went Dune Buggying which is like a go cart for about twelve people. It was like being on a rollercoaster. They dropped us of at the top of huge dunes so that we could sand board down and then pick us up at the bottom, it was amazing.

18th Sept - 21st Sept - White Water Rafting, Cusco

As soon as we got back from Machu Picchu booked ourselves on a white water rafting trip for three days.

The first day was spent with about 4 hours going down the river, practising what to do if you fall out on the rapids and just getting used to being on some little rapids. We camped out on the side of the river and then continued down the following day.

We had a really funny group of people doing it with us. And spent the next night camping out making fires and drinking beer.

The photos dont show us on the rapids but you get the idea..

Me looking quite special...


The after party

10th Sept - 14 Sept - Cusco and Inca Trail, Peru

A overnight airport stop meant we lost a cash card on the way to Cusco but we arrived there excited about the Inca Trail.

They had ridiculous mannequins all around Cusco..I wish they would take off in Wales!

We went to a meeting night before starting the trek and met the two Londoners who were doing the trek with us (we were a bit disappointed there wasn't more people in our group because the other Lost City trek was a good laugh).

Our guide was called Dominic and he had gold teeth (like most of the guides in Peru)

The trek was four days and three nights, we were really lucky with the weather and it was nice that it was a lot cooler than the Lost City Trek.

The fourth day, arriving through the sungate looking down on Machu Picchu was spectacular.

We spent the night in Aguas Calliente (the town at the bottom), did another climb the next day up some crazy ladders and then took a picturesque train ride back to Cusco.

Cusco by night

Local people get paid for plastic bottles, so they go around collecting them out of bins. This guy has been busy collecting... Traditional Peruvian Dress
The start of the Inca Trail

Porters carrying bags bigger than their body size run past while your struggling with your day pack. All this whilst wearing sandals made out of used car tyres

Our camping spot

Kirsty, Me, Dominic and Pat


'Alex, thats not a piece of chocolate cake'...


The Inca Ruins