After altitude sickness in Puno the last thing I wanted to do was go trekking. However, we had booked a tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu with Intrepid that included a 3D/2N trek called the Quarry Trail.

The first day of the tour we explored Cusco with a guide. The other (all much older than me) members of the tour must have thought I was pathetic since I could barely keep up and had to keep asking them to wait. We went chocolate tasting, admired the local market, saw temples and many churches.

The next day we entered into Ollantaytambo or the Sacred Valley. We visited a community farm, ate delicious local food, looked for birds and just enjoyed feeling a bit better. The following day we started our trek.

This trek was a highlight for me. I finally wasn’t feeling so sick and my body impressed me. Our group split into two so my mom and I had our own private guide and crew for the next 3 days. The summit was 14,600 ft. The surrounding mountain peaks were 19,000+ft. Unlike the Inca Trail, we didn’t see any other tourists on this trek. Just farmers, herders, and animals. The Andean condor flew over as we descended on the last day.

After the spectacular weather, scenery and emotional high of trekking the Quarry Trail, our arrival to Machu Picchu in the rain was a let down. We saw the ruins and got to wander around with hoards of other rain-soaked tourists. However, it didn’t have the same impact as it would have had on a clear day when you can absorb this ancient city perched on a mountain top. We’d seen lots of Inca sites leading up to Machu Picchu and they felt just as impressive.

I don’t want to end this section giving my readers a falsely negative impression. Au contraire, I loved the Sacred Valley, the lush forests, massive mountains, challenging hiking, attentive and knowledgeable guides, local crafts and fresh fruit and veggies! Peru is full of many different landforms and habitats, wild animals and birds. A month traveling there barely scratches the surface!