6-Mar-2009: Machu Picchu

It was a 3:55am wake up on day four, the last morning of the Inca Trail trek. It was only a 5km walk from our last camping spot to Machu Picchu, although the early start was neccessary to reach our destination before sunrise.

The trail contours a mountainside, then drops into a cloudforest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps which leads to the Sun Gate.

Machu Picchu was hidden somewhere under the thick blanket of cloud when we arrived just after sunrise. We dearly hoped that soon the cloud would lift and that we would get the chance to view Machu Picchu, especially after our trekking efforts during the previous few days!

It wasn't long until the cloud did lift, to reveal Machu Picchu in its glory. It really was a amazing sight and made the trek even more all the more worthwhile.


We had several hours at Machu Picchu before the first hordes arrived in the trains and buses to visit the ruins for the day. It was nice to enjoy the beauty of the site without having to share it with crowds of other tourist.


After exploring Machu Picchu for a few hours, we headed off on a bus down the zigzagging road down to Aguas Calientes, where we had some lunch then treated our tired muscles to the thermal baths in the town.