Inca Trail--Day 4 and MACHU PICCHU!!

     How does one define the "butt crack of dawn"?  Is it the first sight of daylight?  Is it when the rooster crows?  No matter, we were up well before it on our last day of hiking.  3:30am, that was the time we awoke to complete the last leg of our journey.  Distance: 4 miles.  Destination: Machu Picchu.

Entering onto the trail.  Things just got real.*

Rise and shine!

Candid?*

More stairs, but today we have a goal.  The main event: Machu Picchu!!

The train station and town of Aguas Calientes.  Where those, what some may call, "smart folk" take the train from Cuzco, sip on their wine, and walk about Machu Picchu all clean and stuff.  We like it rugged.

We were going to make this a family photo, but somehow our lens fogged up.....and Maya didn't want to do the trek (something about her legs).

Our first stop, Intipunku, meaning Sun Gate, which overlooks Machu Picchu.*

Waiting for the clouds to lift, so we could see Machu Picchu.  We tried blowing all at once, but they wouldn't budge. *

Passing the time by taking some pretty photos at Sun Gate.  The clouds never lifted.

Please don't touch the Chinchilla.

After Sun Gate, we stopped at a large, sacred rock where three mummies were found.

     Some of you are probably wondering what the deal is with Machu Picchu.  Well, first, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.....5th grade knowledge, guys, come on!  Second, it is an Inca ruin untouched by the conquistadors, preserved throughout the years by its hidden location, and only recently found by Hiram Bingham (a Yale professor) in 1911.  This lost city was believed to be an estate for the incas (kings), or really a getaway with religious benefits.  It was built on and around mountains that hold high sacred meaning to the Incas.  Additionally, its location is in alignment with key astronomical events.  We can only guess that it wasn't the Incas that built this in 1450, but instead, aliens; it's the only explanation.

     So after 26 miles of walking with 20lbs on our back, not showering for 4 days, sleeping in a tent for 3 nights, using the wilderness as a restroom, and experiencing the microclimates (from rain to dry sun to fog to wind), we finally arrived at our final destination....

AND......WE MADE IT!!!

Moments to stop and take it all in.*

Happiness is walking for 26 miles to a place you can get to by train.  No just kidding, the sense of accomplishment and the purpose behind the hike will always be a treasure.

Sexy posing for like the millionth time.

I asked Moses to part the clouds like he did the Red Sea, and he must've heard.

Loving life.

Spectacular views.

Postcard!

From the top of the world.

Baby steps.

Jazz hands.

Similarities?

Life is just too awesome.

Baby steps?  Machu Picchu (old peak) mountain is in the background.

Is that a mad scientist?  No, just a fellow hiker.

Manny teaching us about the Temple of Wind.

Feeling the nice cool breeze in the Temple of Wind.*

Into the skies.

The Temple of Sun.  The two windows were constructed at perfect angles to determine the timing of winter and summer solstice based on the shadow angle......aliens?  I'd have to agree.

Where the Flintstones got the word "bedrock."

Sitting in the Inca's (king's) quarters.  No worries, we were cordially invited.

Maybe not this guy though.

Everybody look!.....or not.*

The different types of stonework.  Unbelievable how their pieces fit together perfectly.

Running water for like 500 years now.*

Cheese!

No horseplay among the rocks!*

The quarry, where the Incas selected and carved the perfect rocks for the perfect fit.*

Suave.

Some lovely looking ladies, especially after 4 days without showering....or curling irons, mirrors, or make-up.*

Llama or alpaca?

Iguana or lizard? 

A photo opportunity.*

To infinity and beyond!*

Relaxin'.....Not to be confused with chillaxin' for the heat was on.*

The size of this place was unbelievable.....no, magnificent.

A scene from Glee; PDub had the lead.*

One last shot before we immerse ourselves back into society. 

So, uh, what are we going to do about that rockslide that blocked the road?*

Because sometimes beer and pizza should be your first back-into-society meal.

Cuy, or guinea pig.  It's a delicacy in Peru.  Tasted like chicken.

If I can't throw it, can I place it gently somewhere?*

All we wanted was a real toilet, running water, and some alcohol.  Love our new Australian friends!!

Life is what you make it!  Quite frankly, I've made mine amazing.

*Thank you to my fellow hikers for letting me use your pictures.

Inca Trail--Day 3

     Day 3 on the Inca Trail was supposed to be "memorable," and in some ways, it was.  Bottom line, it rained for nearly the entire day (we did go during the rainy season).  There's nothing like waking up to the sounds of rain hitting the roof of your tent......and then realizing that the bathrooms are forever away. And by bathrooms, I mean the fancy holes in the ground......

Now doesn't that look fancy?*

For the record, this was my first time to relieve myself in the wilderness.  I chose this route for two reasons: one, it was closer than the bathrooms, and two, it smelled a whole lot better.

     After breakfast, we put on our damp clothing, covered our packs, and headed for the 10 miles of hiking.  Our first stop, Runkurakay ruins and then on through the Runkurakay pass (3800m).  At the ruins, we chose a rock, the smallest one possible for me because god forbid, I add any more weight to my body that I had to carry up, up, and then a little more up to the first pass.  There, we proceeded to complete an Inca Ritual.....and reenact Disney movies.

At Runkurakay ruins, where we learned that this was once a tambo, or inn, where the chaskis (messengers) would rest.*

We may not be messengers, but we surely needed a rest.

Runkurakay, what we should have seen through the infinite fog as we climbed to the pass.*

The start of the Inca Ritual, put the coca leaves in a flower-like shape.

Place your rock on top of the coca leaves and make a wish.  I'm pretty sure everyone wished for less rain.

Top the pile off with a sweet candy and then pour a fragrance on top.

Ritual complete.  Rain continued.

Cue Circle of Life music.*

     After the first pass, we started our descent into what would have been beautiful sights if it weren't for the view inhibiting fog.  This didn't stop our fun though.  The next ruins we stumbled upon were called Sayacmarca, meaning "Inaccessible Town."  We climbed up the 98 stone steps carved into the side of the mountain (deep breaths, JDub, the bottom is only about three miles down) and found ourselves barricaded at the top by three steep drop-offs, hence the name.  There's nothing like facing your fears head-on (heights for me).

There's something in the mist.....

Echoing words off the trail for our fellow hikers to hear.  You can probably guess what was yelled.

At Sayacmarca surrounded by cliffs and looking into the valley.....or really just into the fog.

Bucket List: relieve oneself in a ruin.*

     From there, we found ourselves walking through the jungle, with hanging moss, blooming orchids, brightly colored birds, and whispering trees.  As the sun attempted to peak through, the jungle began to glisten.  With the rain, the rocky trail became slippery requiring extra caution while walking (they should really distribute some of those "Caution: Slippery When Wet" signs).  PDub took his eyes off the trail for a split second (posing for Shamuel's photo) and tumbled right off the trail.  Thankfully, this portion of the path was not bordered by a cliff like it had been in the past, but instead, luscious foliage.  We successfully pulled him back onto the trail; however, one of his hiking poles became a casualty.

Shamuel stopping us to get this photo.....only to cause PDub's fall.  Yes, I blame you, Shamuel..*

One stick, two sticks, tumble, fall.....one stick.  Okay, so I may not be Dr. Seuss.

Straight out of fern gully.

In the jungle.....

.....the mighty jungle.

The Inca Traaaaaaiiiiiiil!*

Some of our crew.*

The landscape looked like it came out of the ocean.  It, however, did not.

     We then reached the third pass, where there were evidently great views of the snow-capped mountains of Veronica and Salkantay, but again, the fog was in our way.  Shortly after the pass, we came upon Phuyupatamarca ruins, meaning "Town in the Clouds."  Within these ruins, we passed a spring and irrigation system created by the Incas over 500 years ago.  Believe it or not, it was still running.  After the ruins, we headed down a crazy Inca staircase with over a thousands steps.....Yes, over a THOUSAND steps!

Town in the Clouds.  Real creative name.

Phuyupatamarca Ruins with the sun peaking through.  Finally some color to our grey day.

Hello, knees!  The chassis called these "gringo killers."*

Crossing what was a rockslide.  Speed it up!!*

Above the clouds?

     Before reaching our final stop prior to camp, a toucan caught our attention by squawking at us.  Of course, PDub had to get everyone's attention by making as much noise as possible and consequently, scaring the bird away, but thankfully, some of us were able to see it.  The final stop was yet another ruin; this one called Winay Wayna, meaning "Forever Young."  To me, this was the best one yet.

Peaking from the jungle at Winay Wayna.

The valley below Winay Wayna.

I'm on the edge of the world!!!

Suicide will never answer your problems....even rainy days.

No worries, the next ledge was just 6ft down.  They merely appear to be living on the edge.

And you thought we were done after the thousand stairs earlier.  Think again.

Have you ever wanted to run and jump into a cloud?

Framed hikers.*

The many terraces used for agriculture.*

Camp below.

Our last night.....in a tent......on the Inca trail.....sadness.*

The last supper!*

Somehow they baked a cake.  Yes, they hauled whatever ingredients required all the way to night three.  I'm not complaining.*

Next and final stop, Machu Picchu!!!

*Thank you for letting me use your photos fellow hikers!