Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu

Day One: Piskacucho to Ayapata

The hike on day one was relatively flat with a climb in the final few miles to the campsite (8.7 miles, 2000ft gain).

Starting point of the Inca Trail

Exploring the first site, Llactapata

Mt Veronica

Llactapata terraces

Day Two: Ayapata to Chaquiccocha

Day two had a morning climb to the high point on the Inca trail, Dead Woman's Pass followed by a climb and descent of a second pass in the afternoon (10 miles, 4500ft gain, 3500ft loss).

Dead Woman's Pass

Hiking companions James and Sara at the top

Porters serving snacks at Dead Woman's Pass

The sky opened up after lunch as we descended from Runcuraccay Pass

Sayacmarca Inca Site

Our guide Valentine

The highest campsite of the trip, in the clouds at 12,000ft

Day Three: Chaquiccocha to Winay Wayna

The hike on day three was mostly downhill and shorter in distance allowing time at the Intipata and Winay Wayna Inca sites (6 miles, 3000ft loss)

Our group in green during the rainstorm

View from the Intipata terraces

Tongo presented our final meal as a turtle chewing on a coca leaf

Day Four: Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu

Valentine pointing out the perfection in the stonework of the temple (near side) versus other structures (far)

Temple of the Sun

The King would make the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu twice a year around the winter and summer solstices, the dates the sun would shine directly through the windows on the Temple at sunrise.

Huayna Picchu

Alpaca Expeditions Group

Resources:
Alpaca Expeditions