IT was cold, windy and wet as I stood at the summit of Huacawasi Pass, almost 4800m above sea level. It had been a long, challenging hike to this point. However, when I looked across the picturesque, painted canvas of the Andean mountains, it was one of the most exhilarating and rewarding moments of my life.
My lifelong dream was to hike in Peru, but I am no hiker and had never hiked a multi-day trek before. Yet I was determined not to let that deter me. There are several trails to take in Peru and most people choose the famous Inca Trail. Instead I opted for the Lares Trail, a shorter, higher, more challenging route which led me through Peru’s scenic, quiet, local Quechuan farming communities.
The trek started…
