The Inca Trail - Day 4

We finally made it!
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Day 4 - Machu Picchu

After the best nights sleep in what seemed like weeks, we awoke at 4am to get an early start to Machu Picchu.  Someone or something has been looking down on us, as for the first time on the trail we had no rain or clouds, just beautiful sunshine.

Everywhere we looked was a photo waiting to be taken, and we didn´t dissapoint

After a 30 minute wait at the final checkpoint, it was a mad 1 hour dash to get to the Sun Gate before the sun rose.  It was almost like being on a forced march, with 200 trekkers almost running to get to the same place at the same time.  In saying that, we had a great time doing it.  Isacc had been promising us a surprise for the last day of trekking, and when we reached a 100 metre wall of steps, he shouted to the Super Hikers..."Surprise".

View of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate
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Upon cresting the final steps, we caught our first glimpse of Machu Picchu, and while spectacular, it was not the postcard shot we were expecting.  This was all to change however as we slowly made our way down the side of the mountain.  With each step closer, Machu Picchu literally grew in magnificance and splendor.  Everywhere we looked was a photo waiting to be taken, and we didn´t dissapoint.

Mike was also finally able to capture the elusive hummingbird (we think), although it looks more like a blur than a bird.

Now we have proof we were there
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We were amazed at the size and scope of Machu Picchu and how well preserved all the building were after 600 years of neglect.  Those Incans knew how to build.  Our super leader Isacc then took us on a 2 hour tour of the ruins which was just spectacular.  His knowledge of everything Incan was second to none and no question went unanswered.  He had a unique perspective as he is a decendent  of the original Incas and had been a porter for 8 years before becoming a guide and lecturer for the past 8 years. We were definitely lucky to have him as our guide.

Well it is our honeymoon after all
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After several hours wandering the massive site, we were ready to head home for a real bed and a hot shower.  We took a bus down to Aguas Calientes for our last meal of the trek....a buffet of amazing food.  Linda topped the day off by buying a "I Survived the Inca Trail" t-shirt from the local market for around $3.

We boarded the train for home, which was to take 4 hours.  It was not a comfortable 4 hours as the carriage was cramped and we were over tired.  The train driver had an interesting way of descending the mountains into Cuzco. All of a sudden the train would stop and start free rolling back down the track, only to start up again soon after.  This happened several times before we finally reached the Cuzco train station.

Picture perfect Machu Picchu
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It was such an amazing trip and something that we will never forget, and we have been feeling every step of the trail for the past couple of days.  We met some amazing people on the trail as well, and plan to travel to Brighton and Dublin to crash on their couches before our trip has ended.