Sore from the previous day but raring to go, we headed off after an excellent breakfast to ascend the mountain to our next campsite near Choquequirao itself. The climb, quadrupled in intensity because of the altitude, was difficult for the first two thirds, but became an ordeal for me, and thus it was that some 15 minutes from the top and on the verge of collapse, I succumbed to the temptation to get a mule-back lift to the summit (others were doing the entire trip on horseback I hasten to add – and we had not done any training other than climbing down from Machu Picchu).
Laura gets a new hairstyle from a Quechan girl
A chastened Doogs is led into camp by horseman
This made all the difference, and by the afternoon I was back on form; we were hoping the sun would hold out for our visit in the afternoon. There was still 2 hours of trekking through jungle to get to the site which was high above the valley, and the changes in landscape, trees and plants were rapid. I arrived at Choquequirao on horseback, then we toured the ruins with our guide telling us about the historical events and personalities behind it, as well as pointing out what various buildings had been used for. It was interesting, but not a complete mind-melt like Machu Picchu had been.
On the trail to Choquequirao
Ceremonial mummy-storage centre in Choquequirao
Laur ponders the ancient mysteries of Choquequirao
Back to camp and another great Peruvian comida, then we went to bed early, sore again from walking (and in my case probably a little saddle-sore).
View from our tent in Marampata campsite near Choque
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