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Published: December 3rd 2012
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Stairs
The last couple of hundred meters were like this. Hands and feet required! The last day sets a new record for having to get up. We have to raise at 4.00 AM and leave no later than 5.00 AM. The reason for this is the porters. They have to catch a very early train and before getting to the station they have to pass the national guard control, not for weight control but to show that they in effect are taking all the garbage with them. Nothing can be left at the trail, which seems a great idea.
I must say the trail is much cleaner than the Camino de Santiago; very few pieces of toilet paper can be found on the trail, whereas on the Camino they are everywhere.
Before we can start our daily journey, we have to wait in line for our group control. We have to wait approximately 1 hour and dailight before the line gets into motion and we can pass.
The distance of the last day is reduced to some 7 km. Again stairs and a ascend of some 100 m before getting to the Puerta del Sol. There are 2 particularly complicated points towards the end, where you have to use your hands and
Macchu Picchu
Impressive how much they built on such a small rock. feet to get to the top, that is a small fortress. (see foto attached). From the Puerta del Sol we get a first view of Machupicchu, although from far. Notwithstanding that the view is from far, it is impressive. Pictures are taken with Machupicchu in the background and subsequently we descend, taking pictures from all angles and distances. The view becomes increasiningly more impressive. It is unbelievable how so many building fit on such a small piece of rock.
The sun is getting up and illuminates Machupicchu: spectecular!!
A number of people are coming to the Puerta del Sol from below to observe the spectecular view from above.
Finally we decend to Machupicchu and walk through the building to the exit where we leave our backpacks in order to go back and get a formal tour of the area. The place is crowded and the number of people take away some of the magic of the place. I must say that my favorite part was coming down and getting a full and comprehensive view of all of the structures.
After some time, I retire from the tour and go down to the restaurant to have a
Llegando
On a rock with Macchu Picchu as backdrop. real cold drink. In earlier experiences with stomach problems, cold drinks tend to take me over the stress and resistance to eat. Again this time this works and I am able to start eating something. I am on my own and see some people eating a hotdog. All of the sudden I feel hungry and decide to buy myself a hotdog as well. I am sure that if I had not been alone, I had been dissuaded to buy one, but, as said, I am alone and enjoy my hotdog. From thereon, the stomach problems become increasingly less and at the end of the day are over. I need to talk to a doctor about this, because not eating or eating very little on this type of hikes are a serious impediment.
During the trip, I have had great support from my fellow travelers, I am very grateful to them. I am also grateful to Virgilio and Simon, who have accompanied me during the trip on more than one instance.
Later in the day we take the train and travel back to Ollantaytambo, the last station on the track. There a carrite of 1,5 hours await to bring
us back to Cusco.
We close the night with a pizza dinner and check in early, since we have to leave again very early to catch a plane from Cusco to Lima and from Lima to Caracas.
All in all een great hike, although with some difficulties.
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Martin Torres
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Inca Trail Memories
This brings back such great memories of the trail - I really enjoyed the inca ruins en-route and have found this great article recently explaining all of them slightly. http://www.southamericatravelblog.com/travel-blog/2013/01/sights-and-ruins-along-the-inca-trail-to-machu-picchu/#more-2353 I'm gutted our route didn't go through all of these, but appreciated those I did see all the same. I'm glad you are so positive about the trek, despite the challenges that you faced.