Inca trail

4 days trek past Inca ruins to Machu Pichu.

01. Starting trek with smiles

We all started with big smiles, full of excitment. Eric our guide was fantastic, so full of knowledge and very friendly. About an hour into the trek Jordan threw up but refused to go back so on we trekked. Everyone says that the 2nd day is by far the worst but rather than camp at the bottom of a mountain, we scampered up another 700m so only needed to tackle 500m after breakfast the following day. There was of course another mountain pass to go that afternoon but by then our legs were automated and just kept climbing those bloody stairs! The porters are amazing! They leave the camp way after us, run past in their little sandals made of recycled tyres and have everything set up way before we get there. The chef (complete with chef hat) was incredible. He managed to prepare three course meals every lunch and dinner including the best ever apple pie and even a birthday cake for the other guide, Joanna..

02. first ruins

Our group took a vot and decided to hike extra on the thrid day so that we could arrive for sunset the next day. I´ve never been so relieved to see a town in all my life. Didn´t think the legs would make it to the thermal pools but somehow did - slight relief!

We feel as though we cheated by having to take a bus on the last day to Machu Picchu but hey, landslide in the way. The site was amazing! We arrived just after 6am in time for the sunrise. By 10am the site was crowded with tourists and just wasn´t the same.

03. porters run past

04. eric the guide rewards us on our first pass

05. lake

06. waterfall

07. too many steps

08. sitting at ruins

09. flowers on ruins

10. more ruins

11. ruins

12. inca stairs

13. sunrise

14. ruins discovered 90% intact

15. closer look

16. inca windows

17. bridge at end of trail

18. walking back along railway

19. postcard shot

20. Machu pichu

21. mountain near machu pichu