The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Day 1:

Our first day trekking was lovely and hot. The incline was gentle and our group made good pace. We were immediately impressed by our porters who carried 25kg each, and ran ahead to set up camp and prepare yummy 3 course meals for lunch and dinner!

At the start

Our first camp

Day 2:
This was our big challenge day. We started incredibly early and managed the 5 hour uphill walk to the top of dead woman’s pass, then a 2 hour slippery descent in the rain before lunchtime! As soon as Sophie arrived to camp, she burst into tears.. This was a killer!

5 hours of steps uphill

Wet steps down

More steps! You get the idea…

Day 3:
This day was up and down, with only one more pass to climb. It was also our longest day, with 16k to cover. At lunchtime, after cake, Olly found the energy to play footy against our super porters, and win! The atmosphere of the final camp was celebratory, and was a bit noisier than the previous 2 nights. It was also nice and warm due to the lower altitude.

Intipata site

Winaywayna

The peaceful Winaywayna

Day 4:

We awoke very early to the pitter patter of rain, crossing our fingers that the weather would brighten so we could see the views which we had been trekking for. After a short wait at the final checkpoint, we began our cliff side walk in the dark mist. It was eerie and beautiful. Finally we mounted 50 steep steps, and we made it to the sun gate to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu. Amazing.

We needed to walk for one more hour, before we were able to walk around and see the ruins up close. We had to share the pathways with the llamas, who are the official grass-cutters, and have free roam of the site!

It is so nice to now be back to civilisation, mainly for flushing, clean toilets, hot showers and even steps! It was worth the lack of oxygen, smelly loos, achy calves and emotional moments. It really was the trip of a lifetime which will remember!

Our group at the Sun Gate

SONY DSC

We made it!