Machu Picchu! (2400m)

Morning Mists Revealing MP
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Upon the adivce of Kike, we all took the bus up to MP.  Thank goodness for him as we were some of the first to arrive when they opened the gates at 6am.  As a result, we wer able to take pictures of the ruins with mystical morning mists dissipating and NO ONE on the grounds.  What a sight!

It was a perfect day with one magical moment of discovery after another as we stood agast at the magnificence of the place.  'Re-discovered' in 1911 by rof. Bingham of Yale´University, the site (a place mainly reserved for the elite of Inca society) still retains an air of mystery and peace, even amid the hordes of tourists that visit each day.

Wow! You must see MP to fully appreciate it!

Wayna Picchu + Llama (sacred residents)
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Wayna Picchu, the mountain that hides MP, is a rare treat to climb and only a few hundred tourists a day are granted entry.  After quite  steep 45 minute climb, I reveled in one of the most amazing views I have ever enjoyed.  On top of this, I was quite lucky to get within a few feet of a young Andean Falcon, surveying the scene.

The weather was starting to turn, but I reconnected with some of our other group members and checked out the sungate (your first look at MP coming in on the Inca trail) and the remnants of an Inca bridge (a protective mechanism on one of the precarious cliffside paths, as well as other views.

Other local residents
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After all this (a full day indeed), bounded down the mountain on the well worn steps leading to MP.  Went a bit too fast, I think, as my left knee was quite painful for quite a few days afterwards.  In fact, I opted not to hike the Colca Canyon as a result...my next stop as part of an all-inclusive package I´d organized with my contact at a local tour company.