TBT to 2015, one of my favorite day hikes in Peru to a little over 14,000 ft. in 9.3 miles. I love the entire ritual of a long day hike like this to a stunning secluded lake.
The ritual starts the night before, prepping my backpack, making sure I have filtered water and snacks ready with my various layers of clothing. The morning of the hike I wake up at 5:00, excited to boil my eggs, have some coca tea, and go to the town square to wait for the first local bus of the day
To arrive at the trailhead, we take the local bus “combi” for 30 minutes from Chiquian to Aquia, along with the locals who are commuting for work or to sell their goods.
The walk begins from the town square in Aquia. We walk through crooked streets and narrow alleys often laden with horse poop. At the end of town is a large stadium, historically used for bull fighting, but always empty. Then we continue through a tiny path covered in mud to finally get to the trailhead.
This trailhead is actually not a “trail”, but how the local mountain people walk to and from their small thatched homes into town. I have never seen another “hiker”, and typically pass 2-5 people the entire day. Once the journey up starts, there are many changes in landscape along the way. I always know when we are close, because there is a large waterfall right before the last push over huge boulders to arrive at the lake.
For me, the ritual beginning the night before the hike, until we arrive back to Chiquian by combi after the hike, is what I love. Each part of the process excites and motivates me, brings me peace and calmness, and fills my cup. I hope to share this hike with you one day!
#rituals #hiking #peru
TBT to 2015, one of my favorite day hikes in Peru to a little over 14,000 ft. in 9.3 miles. I love the entire ritual of a long day hike like this to a stunning secluded lake.
The ritual starts the night before, prepping my backpack, making sure I have filtered water and snacks ready with my various layers of clothing. The morning of the hike I wake up at 5:00, excited to boil my eggs, have some coca tea, and go to the town square to wait for the first local bus of the day
To arrive at the trailhead, we take the local bus “combi” for 30 minutes from Chiquian to Aquia, along with the locals who are commuting for work or to sell their goods.
The walk begins from the town square in Aquia. We walk through crooked streets and narrow alleys often laden with horse poop. At the end of town is a large stadium, historically used for bull fighting, but always empty. Then we continue through a tiny path covered in mud to finally get to the trailhead.
This trailhead is actually not a “trail”, but how the local mountain people walk to and from their small thatched homes into town. I have never seen another “hiker”, and typically pass 2-5 people the entire day. Once the journey up starts, there are many changes in landscape along the way. I always know when we are close, because there is a large waterfall right before the last push over huge boulders to arrive at the lake.
For me, the ritual beginning the night before the hike, until we arrive back to Chiquian by combi after the hike, is what I love. Each part of the process excites and motivates me, brings me peace and calmness, and fills my cup. I hope to share this hike with you one day!
#rituals #hiking #peru
The ritual of day hikes in Peru!
One of my favorite day hikes in Peru to a little over 14,000 ft. in 9.3 miles. I love the entire ritual of a long day hike like this to a stunning secluded lake.
The ritual starts the night before, prepping my backpack, making sure I have filtered water and snacks ready with my various layers of clothing. The morning of the hike I wake up at 5:00, excited to boil my eggs, have some coca tea, and go to the town square to wait for the first local bus of the day
To arrive at the trailhead, we take the local bus “combi” for 30 minutes from Chiquian to Aquia, along with the locals who are commuting for work or to sell their goods.
The walk begins from the town square in Aquia. We walk through crooked streets and narrow alleys often laden with horse poop. At the end of town is a large stadium, historically used for bull fighting, but always empty. Then we continue through a tiny path covered in mud to finally get to the trailhead.
This trailhead is actually not a “trail”, but how the local mountain people walk to and from their small thatched homes into town. I have never seen another “hiker”, and typically pass 2-5 people the entire day. Once the journey up starts, there are many changes in landscape along the way. I always know when we are close, because there is a large waterfall right before the last push over huge boulders to arrive at the lake.
For me, the ritual beginning the night before the hike, until we arrive back to Chiquian by combi after the hike, is what I love. Each part of the process excites and motivates me, brings me peace and calmness, and fills my cup. I hope to share this hike with you one day!
#rituals #hiking #peru
