Machu Picchu

The Inca Trek was originally a highway linking Cusco and Machu Picchu, whilst today it is a hiking route that ends at this famous UNESCO site which is one of the 7 wonders of the world.

We were up at 3.15 to start our hike aiming to get to the Sun Gate for sunrise. As you can see from the photo many other hikers did the same!

After an hour hiking at speed under head torch we arrived at the Sun Gate for amazing views of Machu Picchu. After we regrouped we headed down into the site with amazing views from the top that day guests would never see.

The site was impressive albeit crowded compared to our more remote sites on the trek. The Incas abandoned Machu Picchu after the Spanish arrived and it was forgotten about until 1911 when it was rediscovered. About 1,000 elite lived here with the Inca ruler visiting twice a year. It was an amazing achievement to build this site in such a remote exposed mountaintop.

After a tour of the site we got the bus into nearby town had lunch and got a train back to civilization.

We now have a rest day in Cusco to repack before heading to the Amazon for 6 days where we expect no internet access.Read more