My Journey to Machu Picchu

List of Articles

Welcome to my Macchu Picchu Journey!

The articles below appear in reverse order, with the exception of the very first one.  If you want to read them in chronological order, you can navigate from the List of Articles over on the left.  

It was certainly a transformational journey with lots of ups and downs - but it literally changed my life! 

Can a fat, old bird with high blood pressure, a heart condition and a fear of heights hike The Inca Trail?

Written by Tina Sibley in January 2019

I don't know but I'm about to find out!   The first thing to address though is WHY

Bolivia & The Journey Home

Written by Tina Sibley in September 2019

The last part of my journey takes me very briefly into Bolivia.

This is a country that I would definitely like to come back and visit more fully!

Peru Part 2 - Lake Titicaca

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The big hikes are done and it's time to enjoy the spectacular Lake Titicaca - the world's highest navigable lake. 

Spending time with the indigenous people was such a rewarding experience and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. 

Rainbow Mountain

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

Originally there were 15 people interested in hiking Rainbow Mountain but everyone who did the 4 day Inca Trail dropped out. I was the only one of the Inca Trail hikers to also tackle Rainbow Mountain.

I did come to realise that I’d taken on too much! But I felt incredibly proud of myself that I was the only one to tackle both of them!

The Inca Trail - Day 4: Machu Picchu

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The day I finally completed the Inca Trail, went through the Sun Gate and arrived at Machu Picchu.

So - YES!! A (formerly) fat old bird with high (now normal) blood pressure, a (minor) heart condition and a (former) fear of heights CAN indeed hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!

The Inca Trail - Day 3

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The third day on the Inca Trail was the longest. So although not the highest, it was still a long and tough day.

It involved another climb up Runkuraqay Pass - an elevation gain of about 600m and then later a descent of 1,000m.

The Inca Trail - Day 2

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The second day on the Inca Trail had been fixed in my mind as the hardest and most scary!

It involved the massive climb up Dead Woman's Pass - an elevation gain of 1200m to a point at 4,215 metres above sea level. 

The Inca Trail - Day 1

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

After years of it being on the bucket list and 8 months of planning and preparation, the day finally arrived!

I could barely believe it was happening and felt a massive range of emotions - nervousness, excitement, gratitude and the realisation that I was actually all set to actually do it!  

Week 34 Sixth Leg - Peru Part 1

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The sixth leg of my journey takes in my initial adventures in Peru - Lima, the Amazon Jungle, Cusco and the Sacred Valley - right up to the start of the Inca Trail.

As the week progressed, I got more and more excited and more and more nervous!

Week 33 Fifth Leg - Galapagos Islands

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The fifth leg of my journey takes me to the Galapagos Islands, some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and straddling the Equator! Another paradise on Earth!

These islands are very special indeed and have captured a very large piece of my heart! 

Week 32 Fourth Leg - Ecuador

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The fourth leg of my journey takes me to Quito in Ecuador! Paradise on Earth!

This is where I will see for the first time how the altitude may or may not affect me.

Week 31 Third Leg - Miami

Written by Tina Sibley in August 2019

The third leg of my journey takes me from Kent to Miami - finally arriving on Sunday night in Quito, Ecuador.

Week 30 Second Leg - Kent

Written by Tina Sibley in July 2019

The second leg of my journey takes me from Plymouth to Tenterden in Kent.

Some time to recover from my crazy week last week, spend time with more family and catch up with some work. 

Week 29 First Leg - Dancing

Written by Tina Sibley in July 2019

This is it! My big journey starts this week!

First leg is to Plymouth to visit family and friends and to participate in an all weekend Latin Dance Congress.

I can't wait!

Week 28 - The Countdown Begins!

Written by Tina Sibley in July 2019

OMG!  Just over a week to go before I leave!     

I start my journey next week!    

And I STILL have SO much to do!  But I'm getting VERY excited! 

Week 27 - Bad Mistake!

Written by Tina Sibley in July 2019

It's July!!!!!

I leave for the UK part of my trip in just 2 weeks!! :-O

And I have SO much to do! And I made a BAD mistake!

Week 26 - Work Week

Written by Tina Sibley in June 2019

Oh My Goodness! I can't believe that it's now 6 months since I first booked my trip to Machu Picchu! And I leave for the UK in just over 2 weeks - and then leave for my trip in just over a month! Where has the time gone?!

Lots of catch up on work this week. A productive week, so all good.

I also had to wait in for the delivery of my new SIM card so unable to get out walking.

However, I did my first circuits since before Jebel Musa! 

Week 25 - Yellow Fever Jab

Written by Tina Sibley in June 2019

Yikes! I only have a month left before I leave - so this week I thought it was time to finally sort out my jabs!

I had got my act together a couple of weeks ago to make the appointment and have to confess, jabs are something I'm a bit of a wimp about so wasn't looking forward to them.

I also realised I have to start focusing on work, which I've let slide a bit lately.

I've been struggling with my motivation again this week, so didn't do any circuits and didn't even bother recording my steps again. But my eating was back on track and my weight dropped by 3 lbs! 

Week 24 - Rubbish Week!

Written by Tina Sibley in June 2019

This was a really horrible week!

It was one of those weeks where everything seemed to go wrong!

And I confess I let it get to me! 

Week 23 - Goat Hike and Dancing

Written by Tina Sibley in June 2019

A good week activity wise with lots of walking! AND including a Sunny Walkers Hike!

Then topped the week of with a weekend dance event, so loads of activity this week - although giving the circuits a rest. 

Week 22 - Caminito Del Rey

Written by Tina Sibley in June 2019

This was another BIG week!

The Caminito Del Rey is a trail that is perched along the side of a cliff, with massive drops beneath it - a sure test for how I'm doing with my fear of heights!

Otherwise, in terms of hiking, it was a fairly quiet week as I rested after my trip up Jebel Musa on Saturday.

Week 21 - Jebel Musa

Written by Tina Sibley in May 2019

This was the BIG ONE! The hike up Jebel Musa - the mountain on the opposite side of the Gibraltar Straits. I've been working towards this milestone for the last 7 weeks and thinking about it both excited and terrified me!

I also conquered the Med Steps 3 times in one day. And went sailing - not related to fitness but was fun.

It was my birthday this week so it was a wonderful week!

Week 20 - Getting Stronger

Written by Tina Sibley in May 2019

What a great week! I had visitors again, so it was out of my routine, but I got lots of walking in and I felt great.

Week 19 - Back on Top!

Written by Tina Sibley in May 2019

After a weekend of pretty much complete rest, I was feeling much better at the start of this week. My determination came back and I recognised that, while I may not be where I hoped to be by now, I've still actually come a long way.

The Jebel Musa hike is starting to loom, which is both exciting me and terrifying me at the same time!

Week 18 - Frustration!

Written by Tina Sibley in May 2019

Aaargh! I recognised that I started to go downhill while I was out Sunday evening and during the night, I started showing the symptoms of a cold! Blocked nose and couldn't breathe, coughing and didn't get much sleep.

So I felt pretty rubbish. Massively frustrating, when I am trying so hard to keep on improving my fitness levels. 

Week 17 - Bad Start, Great Finish!

Written by Tina Sibley in May 2019

I was on a high after the great previous week and especially since my hike up Valdevaqueros on Saturday and my great time up Alcaidesa hill on Sunday.

Then life got in the way!! But I recovered by the end of the week for some more great hiking. 

Week 16 - Ramping Up

Written by Tina Sibley in April 2019

A GREAT WEEK!

The hike in Chefchaouen has finally got my head into where it needs to do and determined to do this.  

Week 15 - Chefchaouen

Written by Tina Sibley in April 2019

This is where things really started to get serious!

This weekend featured a trip to Chefchaouen and a hike to the Akchour falls - this really made me realise that I've been playing with my preparation so far and not taking it as seriously as I needed.  

Week 14 - Visitors 

Written by Tina Sibley in April 2019

My routine was thrown this week as I had a friend come to stay for 10 days. However, it was so nice to break from my routine and go and do some tourist things. 

Week 13 - Good News!

Written by Tina Sibley in April 2019

I received some excellent news this week! Otherwise a pretty stagnant week.

Week 12 - Back to Circuits

Written by Tina Sibley in March/April 2019

I have been really heartened since the success of doing the Med Steps last weekend. But I also realise I have to step up if I'm going to manage the physical challenge of the Inca Trail. 

Week 11 - Breakthrough!

Written by Tina Sibley in March 2019

This really was a breakthrough week for me! Both in terms of my fitness and in terms of getting over my fear of heights.

Week 10 - Heart Test time

Written by Tina Sibley in March 2019

Back to the UK later this week to get started on the heart tests! Managed much more walking this week as well. 

Week 9 - Quiet Week

Written by Tina Sibley in March 2019

Again, I didn't record things as I went, so I've taken the figures from my health app, activities from my diary and I'm writing this retrospectively.  

Week 8 - Picking Up

Written by Tina Sibley in March 2019

Again, I didn't record things as I went, so I've taken the figures from my health app, activities from my diary and I'm writing this retrospectively. 

Week 7 - Treading Water

Written by Tina Sibley in March 2019

Following last week's crash, I lost motivation and didn't record my daily activities, although I can take the figures from my health app and write retrospectively.  

Week 6 - Crashed!

Written by Tina Sibley in February 2019

Oh my! I crashed and burned this week!

I felt really unwell when I woke up on Monday and turned my back on all my training this week.

Week 5 - Making Progress

As a new week begins, I'm starting to feel like I'm making progress. My weight has dropped around 5lbs since I started and I'm feeling stronger. 

Week 4 - The Struggle is Real

Written by Tina Sibley in January 2019

This was a weird week! Life kind of got in the way and I got really busy - too busy to even record my efforts as I went along. It just goes to show that breaking old habits is a real struggle.

However - I'm pretty pleased overall with the way the week panned out.

Week 3 - A Fresh Start

Written by Tina Sibley in January 2019

Last week was hampered because I overdid it at the start and then crashed an burned.  This week's looking better. 

Week 2 - Getting Started

Written by Tina Sibley in January 2019

I'm sharing my preparation and thoughts - warts and all.  Good days and bad days.

Week 1 - The Decision

Written by Tina Sibley in January 2019

I can tell you I had a very hard time making this decision - and I'm still not sure I've made the right one!