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Peruvian Inca Trail (2/2).
Having not slept for more than 45 minutes continuously, I was feeling pretty miserable the next morning.
It was raining as we set of walking uphill (much less steep than the previous day).
We stop to visit Runcuracay ruins. I correctly guessed that this was of strategic military importance, due to its location in the valley.
After lunch on the 3rd day, I finally found what I had been looking for on the Inca Trail.
There were beautiful stone paths, high up in the mountains, which led through rainforest.
Carlos showed us much of the local plant life.
It was explained that the Inca Trail had been secret and sacred.
It was designed as a Pilgrimage for high born people to walk, and worship along the way.
One novel thing I found, was, if only high born people could walk the trail, who would carry the bags.
The answer ?. Llama's.
There were points on the trail, where the Inca's had tunneled through rock, and carved steps into the stone floor.
After much upheaval, a quiet moment of contemplation for me.
This is what I had always imagined the Inca Trail to be like.
As arrived at our camp, we had a go at photographing a nearby Glacier.
The Inca Trail is surrounded by mountain, some of them are nearly 6000m high.
This campsite was much quieter, and it was like our own village.
I really wish we had been able to have a campfire , unfortunately, these are banned, and I went to bed at 7:30pm (it was very cold at that altitude).
To show how changeable the weather was, take a look at this picture.
Ten minutes later, the camp (photographed from the same position) looked like this.
Twenty minutes after that, it looked like the first picture again.
We set of trekking down hill, with the intention of visiting Winawyna for lunch.
Puyupatamarca, a ruin, very close to our camp site.
As we descended into the tree canopy, it became quite dark.
We reach Winaywayna, easily the best facilities of any campsite on the trail, it has a bar and showers.
Half our porters had stayed with us until this point, to provide a farewell lunch. The rest had traveled to Aguas Calientes to deposit our bags at the hotel where we would be spending that night.
We catch a glimpse of the the Urubamba river, which marked the start of the Trek.
After some confusion, and the checkpoint being closed, we set off on the last leg of the trip.
It was uphill, and my legs were still stiff from the ordeal at dead woman pass, but it was with a sense of expectation and achievement that we forged on.
We reach Intipunku, the Sun gate, which overlooks Machu Picchu.
By this point, I wasn't fit to be photographed, so I took a picture of Ash instead (Danny was busy setting up Camera's and stuff like that).
The photo that people always associate with Machu Picchu, is the one taken from the Sungate.
Unfortunately, it was very cloudy that day, and this was the best picture I could get.
With heightened spirits, we walk down to Machu Picchu to complete the trek.
Soaking wet, with more than 151 insect bites, toothache, AMS and boils I finally complete the trek, and stand in the ancient city of Machu Picchu.
I said at the time, that I wish I had done the tour, and got the train instead, but on reflection now, I am glad I did it.
We had the whole of the next day free to visit Machu Picchu, and our hotel was waiting. After a few minutes to soak up the atmosphere, we board a bus for Aguas Calientes and visit our hotel.
I spent the afternoon visiting local monasteries, and finding my "center" after such an enlightening experience.
Get real !, this is a John Sunter adventure. I hooked up with Dan, in a nearby Boozer and we had some Ale !.
Thanks to Jennifer @ the Adventure Company, Our guide Carlos, and our Porters and Cook (who all had unpronounceable names).
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