Peru - Inca Trail Day 4

Inca Trail Day 4 

Distance 4.5km + walking around Machu Picchu

Altitude 2700m - 2430m - Cusco 3300m

Our wake up call was at 0330 this morning as we had to get to the final check point and line up with the rest of the trekking groups. We made it there by 0430 but were still the 5th group in line. The control point opened at 0530 from which we had around an hours fast walk to “Sun Gate”, the entrance to Machu Picchu. Sun Gate is named so because as the sun rises, the rays pass through this gate and shine on Machu Picchu. Unfortunately this morning the valley was clouded in until well after the sun had risen so we could not witness this phenomenon. However, when the clouds did lift we were sitting at Sun Gate waiting, and were rewarded with an absolutely spectacular view over Machu Picchu and the amazing valley.

Machu Picchu is famous for its geographical position and because it was the best preserved of all the Incan Ruins probably because when it was found in 1911 it was completely overgrown and protected by jungle. It is built of black granite and is on a 250million year old ridge of Machu Picchu mountain at an altitude of 2432m. The “Lost City of the Incas” is phenomenal! The architecture and engineering from 600yrs ago display astounding forward thinking. It was a beautiful and breathtaking experience to be able to explore and learn about this ancient civilisation.

Our brilliant day had another surprise in store when Brii and Jess, a friend on our trip, went to see the “Inca Bridge” which was a short walk away from Machu PIcchu. The bridge itself was very cool and yet another display of amazing ingenuity, but even better was the sighting of an extremely rare Spectacled Bear and her cub crossing the path. 

Our return journey to Cusco consisted of a bus ride off the mountain then a 2h scenic train ride through the valley seeing the mountains and ruins we had walked through over the last four days, then a one and a half hour bus ride to our hotel. We finally arrived at 8pm, enjoyed our first hot shower in four days, and climbed into bed for a well deserved sleep!