Machu Picchu—the Lost City of the Incas
Machu Picchu, one of the world's greatest archeological sites, was "built in the sky" during the 14th century for the Incan upper class. Machu Picchu housed a chosen lineage of the theocratic Inca nobility. The city was likely abandoned in the mid-17th century out of fear that the Spanish invaders "The Conquistadors" would discover and destroy the city. They never did.
Machu Picchu was saved from Spanish conquistadors for several centuries, covered by the green wrap of the Cusco jungle. The lost city of Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Yale University archeologist Hiram Bingham. Hiram Bingham was said to have been guided to the site by a local farmer. Looking at Machu Picchu today makes one wonder how it ever could have been lost.
In 2007 Machu Picchu was voted one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World".
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking the 4 day Inca Trail is the best way to get to Machu Picchu. Views are spectacular on the Inca Trail and you will get a chance to see multiple archaeological sites that are only accessible through the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is a stunning 44KM; 4 day trek that combines Inca ruins, unforgettable views of magnificent Andean mountains, and finally into the subtropical vegetation arriving on the 4th day at Machu Picchu – ‘the Lost City of the Incas”. The 4-day Classic Inca Trail is perhaps the most popular hike in the world.
Acclimatization in Cusco
Most days on the Inca Trail are spent between high altitudes of 8,000 to 13,700 ft in elevation. I arrived in Cusco 2 days before the hike, to acclimate to the high altitude. The Cusco city was once the Peruvian capital and is at 11,200ft in elevation. Only 500 people per day are allowed on the Inca Trail. Three hundred are guides and porters who carry all the food, cooking equipment, tents and the survival gear. These porters are just amazing. They are required by law for all the hikes on the Inca Trail. The remaining 200 are trekkers.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Day 1 , 12KM, 16th August 2010
Machu Picchu, one of the world's greatest archeological sites, was "built in the sky" during the 14th century for the Incan upper class. Machu Picchu housed a chosen lineage of the theocratic Inca nobility. The city was likely abandoned in the mid-17th century out of fear that the Spanish invaders "The Conquistadors" would discover and destroy the city. They never did.
Machu Picchu was saved from Spanish conquistadors for several centuries, covered by the green wrap of the Cusco jungle. The lost city of Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Yale University archeologist Hiram Bingham. Hiram Bingham was said to have been guided to the site by a local farmer. Looking at Machu Picchu today makes one wonder how it ever could have been lost.
In 2007 Machu Picchu was voted one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World".
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking the 4 day Inca Trail is the best way to get to Machu Picchu. Views are spectacular on the Inca Trail and you will get a chance to see multiple archaeological sites that are only accessible through the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is a stunning 44KM; 4 day trek that combines Inca ruins, unforgettable views of magnificent Andean mountains, and finally into the subtropical vegetation arriving on the 4th day at Machu Picchu – ‘the Lost City of the Incas”. The 4-day Classic Inca Trail is perhaps the most popular hike in the world.
Acclimatization in Cusco
Most days on the Inca Trail are spent between high altitudes of 8,000 to 13,700 ft in elevation. I arrived in Cusco 2 days before the hike, to acclimate to the high altitude. The Cusco city was once the Peruvian capital and is at 11,200ft in elevation. Only 500 people per day are allowed on the Inca Trail. Three hundred are guides and porters who carry all the food, cooking equipment, tents and the survival gear. These porters are just amazing. They are required by law for all the hikes on the Inca Trail. The remaining 200 are trekkers.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Day 1 , 12KM, 16th August 2010
The Inca Trail starts at kilometer 82. This is where we kick off our 4 day journey into the Andes and the Amazonian jungle en-route to Machu Picchu. We had 16 trekkers in our group from all over the world. For hikers the check-in is easy, validate your passport is up to date and that you have a ticket. The first Day was a moderate 12KM hike passing through a few villages and some Inca ruins on the way to Wayllabamba. We spent the night at Wayllabamba.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 2:
Wayllabamba [10,137 ft] à Dead Women’s Pass [13,776 ft] to Pacamayo 11,480 Ft]: 12 KM 17th August 2010
Day 2 offered the biggest challenge, as we ascended to 13,776 ft the highest point on the Inca Trail. This is referred to as “Dead Women’s Pass”. This is a pretty cool spot to hang out because you know you don’t have to do that again. We celebrated having completed the most difficult section of the trail with a postcard-perfect panoramic view of the Andes Mountains.
Going downhill on a 13,800 ft mountain is painful
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 3: Unforgettable
Pacamayo to Winay Wayna [15km]: 18th August 2010
Day 3 we trekked for 15km.
The 15KM trek on Day 3 includes several steep ascents and descents. Day 3 was definitely unforgettable as we saw several impressive Inca Ruins. After several ascents and descents we arrived at Winay Wayna—the last campsite.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 4:
Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu (5KM): 19th August 2010
We woke up early before 4:00AM, had breakfast and set off on the trail by 5:00AM to get to Inti Punku by sunrise. The final section of the trail from Winay Wayna to Inti Punku takes about an hour, leading to the final pass at Intipunku—The Gateway of the Sun. From the Sun Gate the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you. Our first breathtaking, close-up view of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku, it is another 20 minutes walk down to Machu Picchu itself.
Day 1 on the Inca Trail was a moderate 12KM hike, Day 2 was the biggest challenge as we hiked the highest point “the dead women pass” on the trail; Day 3 was unforgettable as we saw several impressive Inca Ruins, and Day 4 was really unique as we got to see Machu Picchu “the lost city of the Incas”. This completed the 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Day 5 for me was even more memorable as I hiked up the Machu Picchu Mountain. From Machu Picchu Mountain I had a 360 degree view of the entire Machu Picchu.
This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I spent 5 incredible days trekking in the most fascinating part of the world.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 2:
Wayllabamba [10,137 ft] à Dead Women’s Pass [13,776 ft] to Pacamayo 11,480 Ft]: 12 KM 17th August 2010
Day 2 offered the biggest challenge, as we ascended to 13,776 ft the highest point on the Inca Trail. This is referred to as “Dead Women’s Pass”. This is a pretty cool spot to hang out because you know you don’t have to do that again. We celebrated having completed the most difficult section of the trail with a postcard-perfect panoramic view of the Andes Mountains.
Going downhill on a 13,800 ft mountain is painful
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 3: Unforgettable
Pacamayo to Winay Wayna [15km]: 18th August 2010
Day 3 we trekked for 15km.
The 15KM trek on Day 3 includes several steep ascents and descents. Day 3 was definitely unforgettable as we saw several impressive Inca Ruins. After several ascents and descents we arrived at Winay Wayna—the last campsite.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - Day 4:
Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu (5KM): 19th August 2010
We woke up early before 4:00AM, had breakfast and set off on the trail by 5:00AM to get to Inti Punku by sunrise. The final section of the trail from Winay Wayna to Inti Punku takes about an hour, leading to the final pass at Intipunku—The Gateway of the Sun. From the Sun Gate the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you. Our first breathtaking, close-up view of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku, it is another 20 minutes walk down to Machu Picchu itself.
Day 1 on the Inca Trail was a moderate 12KM hike, Day 2 was the biggest challenge as we hiked the highest point “the dead women pass” on the trail; Day 3 was unforgettable as we saw several impressive Inca Ruins, and Day 4 was really unique as we got to see Machu Picchu “the lost city of the Incas”. This completed the 4 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Day 5 for me was even more memorable as I hiked up the Machu Picchu Mountain. From Machu Picchu Mountain I had a 360 degree view of the entire Machu Picchu.
This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I spent 5 incredible days trekking in the most fascinating part of the world.
