Trekking in style
Matthew Perkins, Client.
To most people, myself included, trekking means slinging a bag on your back and heading for the hills in search of adventure. You'd probably carry all your gear yourself, and you'd be expecting modest meals. Well, as I was now part of Mum and Dad's Peru extravaganza, things were going to be a little different. We were going to trek in style.
Zac had marshalled our support team: two cooks, Chibai, the head chef, who sported a splendid white apron and hat whilst on the job, and Paulino, his ever helpful assistant who was always running; two porters: tiny Faustino whose pack was almost bigger than him, and Oscar, a chiselled Spartan figure affectionately known as the "rocket man" as we was responsible for our portable loo. We also had two rancheros and their four horses. And finally, Zac brought along Mario, a trainee-guide whose crazy hairdo, ear to ear grin, and enthusiasm kept us amused.
The upside of trekking with this entourage is that you get to sleep in big, sturdy tents with deluxe sleeping bags and ultra comfy Therm-A-Rests. You will be served three course dinners in a pukka dining tent complete with table and chairs. You will have hot water waiting for you in a little bowl at the end of each day to wash the sweat from your brow. And if you are tired, someone is always ready to carry your pack.
If this sounds extravagant (well, it is), then let me tell you that inducements are needed and creature comforts most welcome when trekking above 4000m. Our route took us through a remote tributary of the Lares Valley, up and over the 4200m Coltambillo pass. The altitude sapped my energy, gave me headaches, and initially made me nauseous. But as I huffed and puffed up the mountain, our team thundered past, practically running with huge loads balanced on their backs.
