Guido told us that last time he was here the ruins were closed for visitors. I really hoped it wouldn't be the case the day we were there, but alas - the entrance was blocked with wooden shield, so we obediently doddered downhill from the walls.

inca trail, sap adventures com

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Yesterday's hearty dinner didn't prevent us from enjoying generous breakfast.

Day 2, Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, September 2018

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After a hour of sprinting (partially in the dark!) up and down the final sets of steps, we were the first group to make it to the Sun Gate (from which you see Machu Picchu for the first time) and could enjoy the view in peace

IncaTrail - Pacaymayu

Regardless of what the building served for, the look is really impressive from this point.

On some intervals steps become noticiably larger than on others. It makes these parts more difficult for hiking.

Me at the top of the pass - 4215 meters high. I didn't get altidude sickness here, although I did suffer from that in Arequipa.

Seriously, I cannot even begin to describe how beautiful the scenery is along the trail

That cloud-covered dip in the mountain range (directly above the stone structure on the left)? That's the Dead Woman's Pass, where we came from. Tents at the bottom? That's where we had lunch. And then climbed back up. Day 2 of the Inca trail is insane.

We went pretty far from the camp - is hardly visible on the right side of the canal.