Peru - The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Foto: The stunning rugged nature of Durmitor National Park (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Montenegro - Gašo, the owner of the campsite, drives me to the starting point. Paco, a local boy, is my guide for the day. He leads me through Durmitor National Park. Durmitor is a unique natural area with mountain peaks, deep gorges, and vast meadows. The park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before we start hiking, Gašo stops briefly at a deep gorge. He explains that it’s 49 meters deep. Paco translates it for me into English and also explains that the deep valley was formed by a glacier long ago. I admire the steep rock faces on both sides. It’s astonishing how vertically the rock walls rise. When Gašo can’t drive any further, the hike begins. Paco walks ahead, and I follow. The path follows a stream for a while and gradually ascends. I walk alternately through meadows and forests, but the valley remains surrounded by steep rocky peaks. This rugged landscape is typical for the park. At times, the trail gets quite steep. The ground is wet in places, making it slippery. I really miss my hiking boots here. Paco apologizes for the recent rain—unusual for this time of year. The trail is marked with red and white dots, painted on rocks along the way, making it easy to follow. As I climb higher, the vegetation thins out, and the valley opens up. Towering peaks still surround me. Paco points out Mount Bobotov Kuk, the highest peak in Durmitor National Park at 2,522 meters. The view is breathtaking. In the distance, I spot a few simple huts—they belong to the shepherds. It’s the first sign of life I’ve seen since this morning. Paco takes me to a small cabin belonging to his aunt. She invites me onto her property and immediately offers me homemade rakija. I take a few sips, but the drink is far too strong—it feels like pure alcohol. I apologize for not finishing it. Passing a flock of sheep, we walk the last stretch to Dobri Do. In the distance, I can already see the road. At the endpoint, Gašo is waiting for me again.
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