The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu


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South America » Peru » Cusco » Machu Picchu
March 23rd 2008
Published: March 28th 2008
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Our Inca Trail journey started off a little bit late. I was to be picked up at my hostel between 4:30 and 5am, but our guide Alex didn't actually show up until almost 5:30. Not really a big deal but had I known, I could've used the extra sleep. Thankfully, this was not an indication of how the trip would progress. On our trek we have a guide, Alex, and 7 gringo tourists as well as 11 porters ... Read Full Entry



Photos are below
Photos: 36, Displayed: 21


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Sayaqmarka (I think)Sayaqmarka (I think)
Sayaqmarka (I think)

this one was about a 1/2 hour away from our campsite at the end of a very long day 2.
surreal forestsurreal forest
surreal forest

The forest along most of the trail is really old, and sometimes quite eery.
Inca aquaductsInca aquaducts
Inca aquaducts

The Inca's used a very comprehensive aquaduct system that re-routed water from mountain rivers into their cities.
me, in the rainme, in the rain
me, in the rain

In the rain in front of a tunnel along the Inca trail. Must've taken them ages to carve out a tunnel without any metal tools.
Wiñay WaynaWiñay Wayna
Wiñay Wayna

This was an absolutely massive Inca site on an optional trail about 30 minutes before reaching our campsite on day 3.
a butterflya butterfly
a butterfly

heavy zoom on this one as it's quite small
Wiñay WaynaWiñay Wayna
Wiñay Wayna

this is the view of Wiñay Wayna from our campsite on day 3
our gourmet mealour gourmet meal
our gourmet meal

Day 3, our last dinner with the group. It looked so good I had to take a picture.
Intipata ruinsIntipata ruins
Intipata ruins

we took an optional short trek over to the site of the Intipata ruins, it was even larger than Wiñay Wayna.
me, at the Sun Gateme, at the Sun Gate
me, at the Sun Gate

This is the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu. We arrived here at about 6:15am after a ridiculously fast paced hike.
me, overlooking Machu Picchume, overlooking Machu Picchu
me, overlooking Machu Picchu

this is about halfway from the Sun Gate down to Machu Picchu city
Machu Picchu, getting closerMachu Picchu, getting closer
Machu Picchu, getting closer

almost there now, and we're early enough that the place isn't overrun with gringos.
a group shot at the finisha group shot at the finish
a group shot at the finish

we continued on to explore Machu Picchu, but we needed to get the group shot at the finish line. 4 days of intensive hiking brought us smiling to Machu Picchu city. It was brilliant.



28th March 2008

trek
Hi Gerry, So how does this rate amongst the most amazing things to see in the world? For me it's still #1. ...Eric
29th March 2008

Your notes brought back great memories. This is really a fantastic trek to do and hopefully is a trip highlight. You've got some great photos!!!!
30th March 2008

trek
Yes, it´s definitely up there. If it isn´t number 1 then it´s pretty close, I haven´t had time to think about it yet. I´m in Uyuni right now and I´m about to head off to the Salaar in about 45 minutes. More amazing sights to see!!!
1st April 2008

cool...
Very cool trek...we love the forest shots. It's all so surreal looking, so old. Any neat wild animals around?
1st April 2008

The Inca Trail
I didn´t see that many wild animals ... mostly little rabbits and birds of all sorts ... and Llamas, horses and donkeys on the first day.
4th April 2008

Lares Trek
hey gerry, have you heard anything about the Lares Trek up to Machu Piccu and any comment on how it's different, cuz i'm planning to go in the summer and the mail trail permits are all gone.
4th April 2008

Lares Trek
I have heard of the Lares Trek but I´m not exactly sure which one it is. Is it a 4 day trek, or a 5 day? In any case, if all of the ¨Inca Trail¨ treks are booked the major difference is that you´ll likely end up hiking to Aguas Calientes (which is a town near Machu Picchu) and then hiking up to Machu Picchu the following day (or taking a bus). On the Inca Trail treks you hike down to Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate early early in the morning.

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