We woke up at 5:15 am, washed up, had breakfast and headed out of camp. The beginning of the hike climbed about 900 feet to a high pass, but half way up we checked out a small group of ruins. This particular archeological site was a lookout post in a tight and steep valley. The ruins offered amazing sights of the surrounding mountains. Along the way we ran into many of the same people on the trail. There was a funny group of young guys from North Carolina with their parents behind them. We were constantly making jokes with them and goofing around.
I don't wanna get up! Ha!
Ahhh, the sun is now there to warm us.
The steeps. It looks bad, and was, but our training made our legs strong and it felt great.
The first group of ruins looking back towards the last night's camp.
The top of the first climb. I don't need to say it... you know by this point what the views were like.
Yup.
Charles, Thomas and Katherine
No kidding, the view was like this descending from the ridge.
Thomas and Katherine at the second set of ruins of the day. Elias gave us a full briefing on the intricacies of each location. The Incas really had their stuff together.
Thomas descending some of the terrace steps.
Below is our lunch camp. The porters once again worked their magic, flying through the trail to get this all set up for us. The was awesome and consisted of: a beef skewer, rice, beans, avocado salad, veggie salad with cheese, and fried potatoes. We are not sure how all this stuff is brought along in backpacks. It is just WAY too nice for camping food. And for desert was a peach with sugar goodness glaze.
That's Jen taking a little rest in the beautiful Andean sun. The other tents you see are from other trekking groups.
Ahhhhh, a little piece of shade. It's time to chill for a couple minutes after lunch.
Some parts of the trail were really thick and made little tunnels to pass through.
Notice the stone work of the Incas. This trial is pristine!!
After lunch we hiked along a beautiful ridge for a while and then came across a campsite. Some of the trekkers would be staying here tonight, but we passed them. Our schedule would take us on a 3,000 foot descent to another camp. Elias said that the trekkers at this campsite would have to get up at 3:30 AM to make it to the Sun Gate. Our group would get up later at 3:30 AM to make this happen. I am glad our porters hauled booty to secure a spot at the the further campsite since we were all very fatigued from the killer descent. I can't imagine having to do it in the dark.
Lots of trekkers and a few llamas.
Looking down to the last set of ruins before the night's camp.
Our group descending, and descending, and descending.
This is extreme farming if you ask me! The terracing is maxed out.
Group shot taken by Elias.
Elias pointed out the native orchids along the trail. This was my first time seeing an orchid in the wild.
We finally made it to camp and had time to wash up, eat, and go to sleep. Below is our last dinner picture. After eating we gave a formal thank you to the porters and chefs and gathered up some tip money for them. They seemed greatly appreciative.
Dinner consisted of: chicken, pizza, tapioca something with mushrooms in the middle, noodle based pasta with red sauce and vegetables.
The Last Supper
Though tired, our group is feeling great and everyone is excited to finally see Machu Picchu tomorrow morning. So far, we have not even seen a glimpse of the famous complex, so it will be a big treat when we do. The plan is to get up at 3:30, quickly eat some breakfast and then wait at the trail gate until it is opened between 5:15 AM and 5:30 AM. Once the park officials check in our group and let us through there is a bit of hiking to do before the actual Sun Gate. I have a feeling that there will be a ton of anxious hikers there wanting to do the same thing as us.
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