Account of My Trek to Peru, The Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Hello All

I have yet to write about my trek to Peru and there have been many requests to-date for me to share my experience. Funnily enough, up until now, I have not felt a sense of wanting to share – maybe a tired resignation that it is done and dusted, an experience of a lifetime My main objective of doing this was to find peace from the pain of loosing my younger sister to breast cancer over a year ago.

Then again, there were quite a few lessons I learned up there at 4,500m above sea level. There were quite a few experiences which, if I share, will allow someone somewhere to reflect on their lives and look back at situations or experiences that have occurred in their lives.

I feel now is the time to open up a little.

Trekking the Inca Trail was certainly an incredible challenge. I had trained quite diligently for this event. It was something I had to accomplish, the end reason being that I was doing this in honour of my late sister.

Trekking the Inca, putting myself through this incredible challenge was for me a way to help ease the pain of the lose of my sister. I wanted to push my body as hard as I could. I wanted my body to be forced outside of its comfort zone and I guess subconsciously I wanted to feel as much pain as possible, so that in some way I could understand the pain my sister experienced on her journey with breast cancer. Yet I realised that nothing in this world could let me experience the pain my sister experienced, even by the experience I was confronted with on the mountaintop and many times over.

The first two days in Peru were for the group to acclimatise and to do a bit of sight seeing. The third day we went for a gentle walk and tour, then after that the real challenge began. On approximately day 5 of the trek after climbing for what seemed like hours on end, progressively going up the mountain step by step, camping, then continuing the journey upwards on the next day we reached the pinnacle of one of the mountains and then began our descent. It was around 4pm on this particular afternoon when my right leg started to wobble and shake furiously. I managed to find a rock to sit on hoping that the shaking would subside. A few of my fellow walkers stood with me, laughing and chatting and a little worried at my state. As I stood up to walk again, my whole body started to shake and my legs gave out under me.

I was quite taken back because of the intensity of the shaking and also due to the loss of control in both my legs. A wonderful person who I met on the trip called Chris, then helped me up again after about 20 minutes of sitting down and with my stick in one hand, I tried to walk, but I couldn’t as my body once again started to tremble and as I lost control again over my mobility, the trek doctor and a couple other men had to grab hold of me and put me in a sitting position. The doctor initially said it was fatigue. Then he radioed for a porter from base camp to come up and get me. In other words, I had to be strapped to the back of a porter carried back to camp. It was a scary feeling to realise that I no longer had any control over my body.

As I finally reached back to camp on that day, the shaking continued and I had to breathe into a plastic bag – I needed oxygen. I panicked slightly and my breathing had become ragged and laboured and it took a while for the shaking to stop and for me to regain some composure – all the while breathing into a plastic bag.

I was carried back to my tent to rest and hopefully tomorrow everything would be fine. I remember wanting to go to the toilet later that evening and two women from the trek kindly offered to help me, supporting me on both sides my arms over their shoulders. Thinking after some rest, my legs would surely be back in working order, I managed to get half way to the portable toilet when my legs gave way again and the shaking started again. Someone dashed off to get three men from the trek group to carry me. I managed to get inside the portable cabin and then because my legs could not hold me up, I crashed onto the toilet sending the whole tent collapsing. At this time I began to feel frustrated and totally helpless and I am not usually one to feel defeat.

The next morning I woke up feeling much better. I now had to walk at the back of the group with the doctor and two other local guides and the trek instructor as they wanted to keep an eye on me. After about three hours walking, my right leg started to shake and my whole body went into spasms again. It was then decided that I be given an injection to stop the pain and which helped with the shaking. It was a slow and long process for me, as this shaking hindered my progress, but what was great was that Chris and a few others stood by me. On many occasions, Chris who I now called my Guardian Angel, held my hand during the course of the day guiding me, stabilising me, talking with me and cracking jokes and it was good to talk and laugh, taking my focus off my progress.

Many times the doctor asked if I wanted to be carried when he saw me struggling, but I had to say no. I hadn’t come so many thousands of miles from London to be carried when I had come with a particular purpose and mission in mind. So for the next few days until the end of the challenge, I was topped up with injections every four hours and with my stick and the support of others around me, painfully and slowly made my way up and down the Inca Trek. Another wonderful Welsh gentleman whom I called my Guardian Angel No 2 called Rhys, Chris’ friend carried my bags in between times, kept an eye out for me and between them both I felt like a Queen.

Yet for me some of the most important things on the trek was firstly making it to the top, secondly the scenery along the trail was absolutely stunning. I cannot find words to describe what it was like. This is an experience that individuals will have to experience on a personal level. Thirdly, I have raised over the £2,600 that was required for Breast Cancer Haven and in that alone, I know this money will go to help Breast Cancer Haven provide services so importantly needed in order to help ease someone else’s pain. I certainly know that my sister’s pain was helped profoundly by this organisation.

Lessons Learned:

My spirit had already told me what lessons I had to learn about my “healing on the mountain top” and my experiences of total and utter loss of control over my body. I also had a rather powerful conversation with many close and wonderful spiritual friends, one being a beautiful person called Magnus who also revealed the below to me:

1 I needed to really take the time to look after myself better
2 I needed to relinquish control of my life and be open to receiving help and support both in my personal and business life.

I had spent so many years holding up a lot of things on my own, that I had become a bit of a control freak. Trying to do everything myself and not letting anyone into my life or space. Before I went to Peru, I was tired, exhausted, weary and had become a little disillusioned with my dream. I had asked God to please give me a break, give me a hand, open up the doorway a little wider for me to just see the trees through the wood. Now, that I have let go and let God, people and situations have now come into my life to help me on this here journey and it is great.

So the healing which took place was when God literally took me down onto my knees, humbling my carcass where I had to accept help from people around me to the extent of having someone hold my hand down a mountainside for hours on end as I wobbled my way to camp literally every night, tired, exhausted at the extra 2 hours I had to do in order to make it there – but you know what I did it. Yet what was also wonderful was the support and enoucouragement and caring from all those around me on the trek. it was wonderful how we all supported each other in some way, from the crazy room mates that I shared my room with.

I now know that God is refining and strengthening me every step of the way for the bigger role he has for me to play. For every barrier and obstacle there is a lesson in how we deal with them. For me it was a matter of keeping going and when the going got tough and the tough got going – ultimately it is in how one deals with this that defines who we truly are. I realise that with all this testing in my life it is for a reason. I realise that the role I have to play is enormous and I will be challenged often. Yet what God has told me time and time again especially over the past few months is “Stand firm in your own strength and ground yourself in me” and you know what I am not ready to be and take on whatever I have to do in this life, because I know what my divine purpose is and who I need to be.

On that note, I am already thinking of doing the Sahara Trek in 2010.

Quotes by Esther Austin

"Unconditional love nurtures and feeds the soul"

"Time is more than a healer, it is a place where one can re-discover the true essence of oneself again without hurry nor limitations of time itself."

"Reflection in the mirror of life means looking at those who live in your life"

"When everything is stripped away from you and all that is left is the whisperings of your soul, tis then you will realise that the only real thing of value in your life are family and true friends"


"Fear can only become our first name, if we succumb to its seductive arms."

Trek the Inca Itinerary - May 17th - 26th May 2008

Day 1 – Saturday 17th May
Travelled from London to Lime via Amsterdam. In total this was approximately a 16 hour flight.

Day 2 – Sunday 18th May
Lima – Cusco
We had to get up around 6am to catch a domestic flight over the Andes to the history city of Cusco (3400 above sea level). We were then transferred to our overnight hotel where we spent the next 3 nights. We were able to explore this afternoon and then had dinner at the hotel and a briefing.

Day 3 – Monday 18th May
We had another free day in Cusco. Quite a few people were now suffering from altitude sickness, such as severe headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea. I had a very giddy head and felt a little tired.

Day 4 – Tuesday 20th May
This was an optional day tour and included a visit to the Sacred Valley, the Inca site and a visit to the market town of Pisac. We had a gently hike over part of the Inca Trail which took me outside of my comfort zone.

Day 5 – Wednesday 21st May 4-5 hours
We left Cusco to visit Ollantaytambo and Huayllabamba.
Another early rise (around 5.30am) by coach to the market town of Ollantaytambo. This was our last visit before we reached the Inca Trail. From there is was another hour by coach before we started trekking at an altitude of 2500m.

We trekked two hours until lunch time. During the break there was a cultural talk as we overlooked the first of the Inca Ruins. From there we trekked another 2-3 hours to our overnight camp at Huayllamamba (3000m),

Day 6 – Thursday 22nd May 7-8 hours
Huayllabamba – Warmiwanuska (Dead Woman’s Pass) – River Paqaymayo
From Huayllabamba the trail climbed steeply along the banks of the River Llullucha. After about 2 hours, we took a break beside the river. We then continued for a further 2 hours through beautiful cloud forest until we stopped for lunch at Lullchampampa at 3850m. After lunch we set of slowly for the last 2 hours which took us over Dead Woman’s Pass – Warmiwanuska at 4200m. This was the highest point of the trek and the altitude made it a slow ascent with the air becoming increasingly thinner. From the top there is a steep and tiring descent to our camp in picturesque surrounds near the River Paqaymayo (3600m).

Day 7 – Friday 23rd May – 8-10 hours
River Paqaymayo – Runkuracay – Phuyu Pata Marca – Winay Wayna
Another early start. A 45 minute steep ascent to Runkuracay – 3800m, a small archaeological site. Along the way we trekked by a lack. From the Pass it is 45 minutes – 1 hour descent, which started with a short tunnel and then down stpes frollwed by a gradual downhill stretch to the well preserved Inca ruins at Sayaqmarca (3600m). After lunch we ascend then more gradual up-hills with some level terrain. We continue into lush forest valley for lunch. After lunch a steep ascent, into a short tunnel. At Phuyu Pata Marca (Town above the clouds) we stopped to enjoy the views and another cultural explanation. Afterwards it was an 1 12 downhill section through beautiful cloud forest Today was a very long and difficult day. Camped out.

Day 8 – Saturday 24th May 3-4 hours
Winay Wayna – Intipunku – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Another early start 4.00am in order to reach Intipunku (Gates of the Sun) for sunrise. The trail is undulating with a series of very steep steps. From here it is possible to glimpse the awe inspiring Lost City of the Incase, Machu Picchu.

Day 9 – Sunday 25th MayLate morning flight from Cusco to Lima. Transfer to the City Centre for lunch and last minute shopping before catching flight to London.

Day 10 – Monday 26th May
Arrive back in London.

Quotes by Esther Austin

QUOTES BY ESTHER AUSTIN

The love of a man is but a tear drop in the ocean. Yet if you aim higher than the moon and the stars, you will attract the love of your soulmate which will unfold in your heart like the flourishing of a dream.


This special love will surf on the wings of the wind, timeless, endless, a journey of togetherness and unity and you will both become one, a body of two blessed souls, unique within that cocoon of divine love.


Learn to love yourself first and foremost. You will find that this is the most noble and honest gift you can render to the world.


Learning to love yourself first and foremost is the best gift you can give yourself. Not acknowledging nor appreciating this gift you will surely sacrifice a harmonious, loving and fruitful relationship with those you love. Therefore, why hinder their chances of enjoying a fulfilling and beautiful life by your selfish actions of not loving yourself first?

All rightsreservedEstherAustinMay2008