Day 4 - The race to Machu Picchu...
So the group 'voted' (lol) last night at dinner to try and be the first group to the final checkpoint of the Camino Inka that would allow us to hike the last 5km (3.1 miles) to our final destination of Machu Picchu - the forgotten Inca city hidden in the clouds which saved it from the Spanish conquerors.
Translation: we're waking up at 3 am - breakfast at 3:30am then racing to be first in line at the government manned checkpoint that would open at 5am to let the 1st Inca Trail hikers through... I thought the guide was kidding.
Nope - pitch dark 3 am; Headlamp flashlights - we pretty much packed the night before and I slept in my new set of hiking clothes so I could literally roll out of the tent once the alarm hit. Note: if you forget to set your alarm or don't have one - not to worry! Your neighboring tent mates are sure to have one set (Thanks Anna and Remon!) or if you snooze through theirs, our ever courteous and bright-eyed porters will kindly knock on your tent and waft an enticingly warm cup of coca tea at your tent flap to get you on your feet.
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| Heading down, down, down... |
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| Train tracks to Machu Picchu run along the top side of the Urubamba river in this pic... |
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| Spotting finally of the Forever Young pink orchid :D |
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| View from Inti Punku "Sun Gate"; last Inca ruin stop before the grandeur of Machu Picchu |
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| Our group taking a quick stop for Inca ruin "explanation" and respite from a sheer "gringo-killer" set of stairs that I literally had to scale with both my hands to climb up. A native guide, however, raced up the stairway and by me in 15 sec flat...omg |
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| Our first view of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku complete with transient clouds ... stunning. |
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| Photo op and documentation of success time!!! Note: Train travelers to Machu Picchu can hike "backward" up to Sun Gate to get this pic as well. |
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| Start of our final guided 2-hour walking tour of Machu Picchu (2430m/7970ft) grounds starting at the storage granaries with re-constructed thatched roofs. |
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| ME:) - New accomplishment: I can now say that I have hiked a marathon in the Andes mountains over 4 days! |
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| View of Wayna Picchu mountain - optional 45 min worth-it hike I've heard from friends AND you can leave your heavy backpack behind!! Note: tickets sell out so reserve in advance. Unfortunately I did not conquer Wayna Picchu this trip:P |
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| A brief stop for 'explanation' and rest (yes more stairs lol they never end in Andes!) |
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| Temple of the Sun - note polished Inca imperial stone structure. |
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| Note Inca architectural incorporation of natural large stones into their structures |
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| I admit...I have forgotten this temples name (but it is under the sun). All the temples celebrating the elements and nature (sun, wind, stars, etc) are pretty near each other... |
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| Currently a measurement 'string' has been attached across this courtyard to measure if Machu Pichu or sides of it are sinking due to tectonic plate movement. |
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| So steep!! Large green courtyard also serves to separate upper religious and royal sector from lower urban/warehouse sections of Machu Picchu grounds. |
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| Inca trapezoidal cubby holes: for personal belongings storage in houses or religious idols if in a temple. |
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| Now familiar agricultural ...yes...terraces. |
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| Free time after the guided tour to explore Machu Pichu more - spent reviewing hundreds of pics and napping lol |
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| A quick 20 minute bus ride down to Aguas Calientes town, lunch with our fellow Andean conquerors and then taking advantage of our "cushy" train return to Cusco....we did it!!! :D |
(Track our progress on the Llama Path map)
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Am I glad I chose to do the full Camino Inka pilgrimage route immersion to Machu Picchu? Yes!
Would I do it again? Hmmm...possible but would take a different trail maybe...Salkantay? :D Lol there will always be the train too....
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