The Inca Trail

While planning our trip to Peru, Greg and I decided that we wanted to take on the Inca Trail. This trail was made by the Inca's to Machu Picchu, and is a four day hike to the famed ruins. It was an unbelievable experience and we truly enjoyed our time on the trail. While hiking the trail we decided we would never do it again, but of course looking back at the trail I have decided that I am game, what do you think Greg? Hope you enjoy these pictures from our four day adventure into the jungle and to the beautiful ruins of Machu Picchu.

The breakdown of our hike.

We were the first to be picked up the morning of day one. It is 5:30am and I am less than thrilled to be awake.

Kilometer 82. The start of our hike, looking ready for anything!

Our hiking group. What an amazing team of people. We were the only Americans, which made it even more fun!

These were the porters. They are amazing. They carried the cooking supplies, and tents. These guys blew my mind, notice they do not have backpacks but instead use rice sacks for transporting the equipment.

Super excited to start the hike. One of our guides, Henry, is in the red hat. Our friend Rena from Singapore is in the yellow jacket.

Trail head.

Once you cross the suspension bridge you are on your way to Machu Picchu!

View from the trail.

Getting close to our camp the first night.

Corn crib, near our first nights camp.

View through the Wayllabamba ruins near our camp.

After surviving day one...if we only knew what day two had in store for us!

Cuy!

Making sure our tent is ready for sleep.

Dinner on night one.

Day two can only be described as completely insane. It was the most brutal hike of my life. It was a 1,200 meter climb followed by a 600 meter hike down. In this picture I am smelling Andean rosewater, which helps open your lungs. The top of the climb is called Dead Woman's Pass. I told Greg on the way up that "I am thinking of joining the woman in the pass."

View from the top of the pass. You can see the trail snaking it's way down to where we had lunch and beyond that our first nights camp.

We made it!!!!!!

Day two camp site.

These are the porters on the trail. They ran the entire trail. These men would get ahead of us set up dining tents serve us a three course lunch, and then after we left, break down lunch and run ahead of us again to set up our camp. They were truly amazing, whenever you thought you were not going to make it you would see one of these guys and just keep on trucking.

View from the trail.

Me, hiking on day three.

Day three was my favorite. Can you tell?

Greg on day three.

We were the first to the lunch spot on day three! That was the first and last time that we came in first.

Some ruins along the way.

This trail is absolutely beautiful.

View from Wiñaywayna.

Day four, at the Sun Gate with Machu Picchu in the background.

Machu Picchu, we did it!!!!!!

I will post more pictures from inside Machu Picchu, on the other blog.

Hope you enjoyed the Inca Trail!!!!!