lunch break on the inca trail

Waiting at the Gate to begin our final bit to Machu Picchu. And guess what? It's raining!

The first leg rises through jungle and past the last town on the trail. This part seemed hard but we hadn't hit the Inca steps yet. We had no idea.

Day 2, Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, September 2018

This was where we stopped on the bus between Cusco and KM82 to hire porters for our group.

Inca Trail Day 1

Enjoying the sun in Machu Piccu

This shows the supposedly smallest stone used in the building of Machu Piccu

These are ritual baths and wells, which still work hundreds of years later.

Macchu Picchu

One of the many porters on the trail - they carry a crazy amount of stuff! It is all very regulated, though and they are only legally allowed to carry a certain weight to prevent abuse. Still - I couldn't do it!

The first leg rises through jungle and past the last town on the trail. This part seemed hard but we hadn't hit the Inca steps yet. We had no idea.

travel peru

We entered Machu Piccu from the sun gate above, at around 6.30am, and there were a few llamas there to greet us.

This part of the trail winds higher up through the jungle. Here the Inca Steps begin - lots, and lots, and lots, and lots, and lots of Inca Steps. Did I mention there were lots of steps? This part was difficult but not impossible - the altitude was a problem but it wasn't quite high enough to feel like someone was sitting on my lungs. That came later.

The trek to the highest point of the trip begins, to Warmiwañusca (´dead woman´s pass) at 4,198m above sea level.