Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

2004-09-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

Our trek map ... I annotated the map with each day's piece. Click on the image to see larger view.

2004-09-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Gathering at our lodge before proceeding to the trail head.

2004-09-25T07:40:00.002-07:00

The trail head at Km 82.

2004-09-25T07:40:00.001-07:00

Along the way we ran into a few locals.

2004-09-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Our guide, Jaime. He was really great.

2004-09-25T07:38:00.001-07:00

Pretty easy on the morning of day 1.

2004-09-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

At the lower portions of the trail, particularly on Day 1, there were several small farms that have likely been used for centuries. The locals raised small livestock and small crops.

2004-09-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Our typical camp site consisted of a clearing with spots to pitch tents. We also had toilet facilities at each camp site.

2004-09-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

The two person tents were set up by our porters and every morning, they came around with two bowls of hot water for washing up and a cup of tea. A nice wake up.

2004-09-25T07:34:00.001-07:00

Besides our personal tents, we had our group tent for taking meals.

2004-09-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

We really had great food along the trek.

2004-09-25T07:33:00.001-07:00

Damn it was slog up here.

2004-09-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

Day 2 would start with a morning hike to Dead Woman's Pass.

2004-09-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

The long trek on the morning of day 2 was up to the highest point that we would reach at Dead Woman's Pass.

2004-09-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Getting closer to Dead Woman's Pass. The pass is named for the anatomical resemblance of the rock formation.

2004-09-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Pauline at Dead Woman's Pass ... obviously the name was not meant for her.

2004-09-25T07:29:00.001-07:00

Our group photo after reaching the highest point in our trek at Dead Woman's Pass.

2004-09-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

The trail look easy here, but this was on Day 2 and after climbing a steep part, I looked back to get this shot of small alpine lake. There were a couple of small ducks swimming on it, although you can't see them here.

2004-09-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Over look of ruins. You can see a portion of the trail in middle of the photo.

2004-09-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

Trail view looking toward some ruins. I think the ruins may be Sayacmarca, but not sure. This was on Day 2.

2004-09-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

This gives you an idea of an easy stretch of the trail. That is Nick and Martha in front and I think Martina is the back.

2004-09-25T07:25:00.001-07:00

The trekking poles came in handy for me. I look better than I feel.

2004-09-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

Nap time.

2004-09-25T07:24:00.001-07:00

Pauline took this photo ... a nice mood shot of the peaks in the morning.

2004-09-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Tall peaks were visible ... especially on the wester side of the Andes. The view is bit hazy because farmers in the region burn their fields this time of the year and contributes to a smoke haze.

2004-09-25T07:22:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the trail was a bit narrow ... but generally was wide.

2004-09-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

The ruins of Sayacmarca ... there is photo later in the series showing the ruins from our camp site.

2004-09-25T07:21:00.001-07:00

Looking down on ruins from a guard tower.

2004-09-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

If my memory serves me, this is the peak, Salcantay which is 6271 meters high (20,568 feet).

2004-09-25T07:19:00.001-07:00

We visited these ruins on day 2 and this is the view using my telephoto lens from the campsite. I believe the ruins are Sayacmarca.

2004-09-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

I can't recall which ruins these were ... but I believe it was on the second day of trekking.

2004-09-25T07:18:00.001-07:00

All along the trail we were treated with lovely wild flowers ...

2004-09-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

I don't know what flower this is ... but is was pretty.

2004-09-25T07:17:00.001-07:00

and wild orchids were seen all along the trail ...

2004-09-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

And some wild flowers ...

2004-09-25T07:16:00.001-07:00

More wild orchids.

2004-09-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

Uphill could be grueling. Going down, although generally less tiring, could also be a challenge is the steps were steep or had small treads.

2004-09-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

These are the ruins along the trail. I think this photo was taken at Phuyupatamarca.

2004-09-25T07:14:00.001-07:00

A good view of terracing.

2004-09-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

You can clearly see the terracing that the Incas built with the help of their workers. The terraces were actually constructed with rock retaining walls and gravel drainage for the lowest layer. Then the soil was carried from the valleys below in containers and placed into the terrace. They did not cut and fill from the mountainside. An incredible feat.

2004-09-25T07:12:00.000-07:00

The Incas built many guard towers into their cities. Here is view looking through the window of one of the guard towers down into a structure.

2004-09-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

All along we were treated with pretty views of the high Andes.

2004-09-25T07:10:00.001-07:00

An overlook of ruins along the way.

2004-09-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

Once you cross from the western side to the eastern side of the Andes, the climate changes from an arid mountain scape to sub tropical jungle. Here is a view of the trail ... a mild slope up. I wish it was all like this.

2004-09-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

On the eastern slopes of the Andes, the sub-tropical jungle is clearly evident. Mountain streams were abundant and we had to cross over them on small bridges.

2004-09-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

Here you can clearly see the stone steps of the trail. The Incas did not have a specific building code to follow. Sometimes the steps had small rises and sometimes it was big step. They were endless.

2004-09-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

After 3 full days of treking, this is the view you get when you arrive at the Sun Gate overlooking the ruins of Machu Picchu.

2004-09-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

We had to stop for a photo overlooking the ruins from the Sun Gate.

2004-09-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

Pauline and I standing over the main ruins.

2004-09-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a view of Machu Picchu at around 8 am. The peak in background has a trail the one can climb to the summit. We did not do it, but two in our group, Pete and Brent did it in 19 minutes (which is really fast). Coming down was scary they said because it is was so steep.

2004-09-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

Nick is actually sitting on a protuberance from the wall. He was with us on Galapagos.

2004-09-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Tim was also with our group on Galapagos.

2004-09-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

Here is group photo at Machu Picchu.