May 12, 2013
From: Chris Meder
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2013 7:09 PM
To: George Dunn
Subject: Happy Mothers Day from Machu Picchu team
Hi George,
We just arrived back in Cusco after another full day. The group elected to head back up to Machu Picchu this morning and hike the challenging Wayna Picchu peak. Steep trail and rocky stairs led to an incredible top-down view of Machu Picchu. And, while on top we had a Happy Mothers Day message to send home!
Happy Mother's Day
Chris
From: Chris Meder
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 2:31 PM
To: George Dunn
Subject: Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes
Hi George,
The team went four for four today with stellar weather for our completion of the Inca Trail and tour of Machu Picchu. Just a perfect day. We arrived at the Sun Gate as the sun was just casting its first rays on the site, enjoyed the view for a while, and then took a full tour of the ruins with our local guide Juan explaining all the details. Here’s a photo of the group.
We’re now in Aguas Calientes, showered and had a late lunch. The group is now checking out the town and doing a little shopping. Tomorrow it’s up early again for a return to Machu Picchu and a challenging hike up Wayna Picchu for another great view of the area.
Chris
May 9, 2013
Chris Meder called in from the Inca Trail. The team is continuing to do a terrific job on the trail, and the weather is great. They are camping at at Wiñay Wayna tonight, very close to Machu Picchu and will hike down through the gate early in the morning to catch the sunrise. Chris says it was a spectacular day of scenery today and the group couldn’t have done better. Tomorrow…. Machu Picchu!
George Dunn
May 7, 2013
The hiking begins
IMG guide Chris Meder called in this evening by sat phone. He says all is well and the group had a straight forward first hiking day today. The weather was good and the scenery excellent. All of the team is walking well and feeling good and they are having a great time.
George Dunn
May 6, 2013
The Market of Pisac (Tye Chapman)
IMG guide Chris Meder called to check in at 4:30 pm PDT on Monday May 6. The group arrived at their hotel in the Sacred Valley an hour ago. They are settling in and preparing for dinner shortly.
They had a full day sightseeing today, and are preparing for an early departure from the hotel tomorrow morning for the start of the trek. Tomorrow will be a full day of walking in which the team will cover about 8 miles.
George Dunn
May 5, 4:50pm PDT
Machu Picchu Team Photo (Chris Meder)
IMG guide Chris Meder checked in from Cusco on a private Machu Picchu trek. Here’s what he had to say:
“The group has all arrived in Cusco in great shape with all bags. We spent the afternoon touring some of the sites in town and had a nice lunch al fresco (photo). A big dinner is on tap next.”
Today the group will tour the Sacred Valley with visits of archaeological sites and the famous Pisak Market.
George Dunn
October 25, 2012
Since our wedding/honeymoon was fuel for the IMG blog I find it only fitting that I give everybody some closure to what was surely a white knuckled, edge of the seat read…
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What a night! We couldn’t have asked for a better evening. Good friends and family, great weather, open bar, and just a hell of a time. Everybody did their all to squeeze every last minute out of the night.
4 hours later…we woke up and grabbed some breakfast and quickly doubled checked the duffel before heading to the airport for the honeymoon in Peru. Machu Picchu should be on everybody’s bucket list, but naturally we thought since we’re in Peru, why don’t we go on an 8 day trek. Seems normal right? Just me, Erika, our friend/guide Maximo, our cook Hacinto and our mule driver Robert (not Roberto!) out trekking for a week between 12,000ft and 16,000ft, on our honeymoon. And who doesn’t take a Sat phone on their honeymoon! Normal, not normal, who cares, everything worked out perfectly – drivers with signs with our names on it at every airport, train station or bus terminal – pretty sweet.
First stop was Cuzco, an amazing little-big town and a nice place to acclimatize for the upcoming trek. After a couple days touring the countryside we made our way to Machu Picchu – amazing and absolutely unforgettable. The next day we climbed Huayna Picchu, which gave us breathtaking views of Machu Picchu, worth ever step. Up was no problem, though the steep stairs down and nearly vertical drop on the side (no handrail) was a little unnerving, nevertheless we made it down in one piece.
Onto Huaraz where we met up with Maximo. He showed us around and then we hit the road… Trekking season was winding down which was great – we didn’t see any other groups on the trail. The weather wasn’t perfect, but it stayed dry when we were walking, saving the occasional downpour for the evenings. We may have missed a few views of the mountains, but we wouldn’t change a thing – except maybe losing two donkeys along the way. We’re still not entirely sure if they ran off or were stolen (it happens) but we left word in the local village and pushed on having to load up the horse (aka our escape vehicle should we have had any medical issues). The trek continued without another problem and we couldn’t be happier.
I’m back at my desk now cranking out emails, blog posts and answering boot questions, oh how I missed the boot questions.
Thanks for all the well wishes and kind words now let’s all get back to work!
Tye Chapman
August 23, 2012
Well, I am now back home to our HOT summer in the US and already missing Peru’s temperate winter weather. I just wrapped up leading two of IMG’s fantastic Classic Machu Picchu Treks on the Inca Trail for my second year of guiding in Peru. Before leaving, a friend asked whether I would be bored going back again this year. The answer was then and still is, a resounding NO.
Even having made the trek before, the different sites I’ve seen during my journeys make each one unique. For example, one of the most finely fitted stones that I have a framed picture of in my home wasn’t to be seen this last trip. Where did it go? I’ll search it out next year! Beyond that, the Inca Trail itself is so impressive, the views are awe inspiring and the ancient sites along the way make this trip one that I hope to do again and again into the future. I would be amiss to not mention how blessed we were to work with the incredibly knowledgeable and skilled local guide Walter Cantunta. Walter was a continuous source of information and assistance to our team.
The feeling of looking down at Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate before any tourists arrive is breathtaking. Another unique element of this program is that we are able to return the following day for one more chance to absorb Machu Picchu. Most aren’t as lucky as me to be able to return trip after trip, and really want to maximize their time at Machu Picchu. Our second day on site allows us to explore features that are a little more off the beaten path. For others it allows for some extra rest and relaxation in the vibrant town of Aguas Calientes. With this extra day, we offer an optional early morning ascent of Huayna Picchu, the quintessential peak just to the side of Machu Picchu. While no trails or Inca sites are recognizable from afar, it is a great hike over steep Inca steps, terraces, and even through a cave! While there is no doubt it is a hard 1+ hour ascent, especially after four days of trekking, the unique view looking directly down on Machu Picchu is unforgettable, not to mention the views of the snowcapped Andes on the horizon. In addition to climbing Huayna Picchu, our first group was able to visit the Temple of the Moon, a rarely seen, but incredibly sacred cave site of Machu Picchu. On the second trip we opted for one last stroll through Machu Picchu and a visit to a hanging bridge and trail system clinging to a huge cliff. Both days were incredible and left us plenty of time to catch our train back toward Cusco.
After three separate trips under my belt, and watching other operations/tours on the trail, there is no doubt in my mind that WE do it right! I cannot imagine a better way to experience Peru and Machu Picchu. Hope you will join me next year for another mystical adventure and exploration of Machu Picchu.
Peter Anderson
More photos on facebook.
August 15, 2012
Machu Picchu
Peter Anderson just checked in from the Lima Airport. That’s a wrap!
Last night the team had a wonderful celebration dinner and a couple extra celebration Pisco Sours to bring their Machu Picchu Trek to a close. The team is now at the airport making sure their bags get checked all the way home. Once through security they’ll officially start the post-vacation depression, er…uh, I mean decompression.
As we all know, the trick now is to get home in one piece and to get the laundry started right away, only then is the vacation over!
Tye Chapman
August 14, 2012
Machu Picchu (Peter Anderson)
IMG Guide Peter Anderson called in at 7:30 a.m. PDT today from the summit of Huayna Picchu Peak. All but two members of the team joined him in the steep hike up this peak overlooking Machu Picchu.
Peter says he was unable to reach us on the satellite phone yesterday, but they hiked in to Machu Picchu in the morning and had an excellent tour of the area. Peter reports some drizzle and fog at Machu Picchu which made for a “mystical” day. They’ll do one final tour of the area after descending Huayna Picchu before heading back to town.
Other news from Peter:
Congratulations team!
George Dunn