We were packed and ready to go. 
There were 6 of us in our group, groups range from 6 to 25, so we lucked out in that department. Only 500 people are allowed to enter the trail per day, and generally 200 are tourists and 300 are porters. The porters carried the tents, food, and cooking supplies.
There were 6 of us in our group, groups range from 6 to 25, so we lucked out in that department. Only 500 people are allowed to enter the trail per day, and generally 200 are tourists and 300 are porters. The porters carried the tents, food, and cooking supplies. Each time we stopped for lunch or dinner, our tents would be set up and hot food would be cooking in the tent kitchen, it was amazing. We had to carry our own backpacks with our sleeping bags and mattress, snacks, clothes, personal items, ect.
The trail begins....It would take us over 3 mountain peaks, each slightly more challenging then the next, along valleys, across rivers and streams, through the Jungle, around lakes, next to magnificent waterfalls, right through the mountains, and would lead us to 4 different Inca Archaeological sights along the way. Inca lookout towers, agriculture centers, check points, and towns would begin to prepare us for what we would see the final morning with the sunrise.
Crossing rivers....
Climbing from the valley....(Yes that´s the trail I am pointing at)
Through the Amazon Jungle....
Above the cloud forests....
At times it was so beautiful all you could do was put your hands up....
Exhausted after reaching an Archaeological sight....
Sure enough, I was camping in the land of the Inca....
More Archaeological sights along the way....
Could you build a house, a city, on the side of mountain and have it last over 500 years!?
I would guesstimate that for abut 92% of the trail if you fell off the side, it would be certain death. You would either fall thousands of feet off a mountain, tumble uncontrollably down a steep hillside, or fall into class four rapids in the river below. Fortunately for me, I only fell about 8 feet.
I suffered some minor scrapes and cuts, but the most damage was done to my ego. I landed on vines and branches that prevented a fall off the side of the mountain. Lucky to say the least!
This is a picture of me over the side of the trail laughing at myself, waiting to get pulled back up.
The morning of the 4th day the porters woke everyone up for ¨"tent service" with tea at 4am. Breakfast was at 4:30am, and we are off for the final 2 hours of the trek to Machu Picchu at 5am. The last 2 hours was all up hill and it was a race against dawn to make it to the Sun Gate before the Sun did. Watching the sun rise over the last peak and shine through the sun gate onto Machu Picchu was incredible. We had made it, and began our descent into the lost city.
A view of Machu Picchu city from Wayna Picchu Mountain, the sharp peak in the background of the next two pictures.
Machu Picchu city and Wayna Picchu Mountain. (the big peak in the background)
Machu Picchu city was discovered by Hiram Binham in 1911, an American who was looking for Vilcamamba, the last stronghold of the Inca´s, which was supposed to have untold amounts of gold and silver treasure. However, the remains of Vilcamamba are actually much further in the jungle and were found without any treasure.
Leading theories for Machu Picchu claim the city was both a home for the Nobel educated class, and as an outpost for conquering the nearby jungle. However, the city was abandoned and with it all evidence for it´s exact function. An estimated 500-1000 people lived in the city, based on the amount of the houses and terraces for supplying food.
Machu Pichu was never found by the Spanish, and thus remains in remarkable condition. It was abandoned as the Spanish advanced into the Sacred Valley, but houses, storage buildings for crops, temples, sun dials, and much much more are all still present. A small quarry still exists in the city as further evidence that the city was still being constructed.
Doing a little heavy lifting in the quarry.
A picture from inside the city.
Descending into the city after four days of hard work was amazing. Being inside the city you could feel a certain energy, it´s hard to describe but it´s a happiness in your heart, a smile on your face, and buzzing in your soul.
