Inca Trail Day 3

Day 3 started off with a climb of course – but only 200 or so metres today.

 

The campsite behind us as we leave.

Another snow covered mountain top.

A view of the valley beyond the pass.

The trail than evens out.

Lots of birds and butterflies on the trail.

A zoom view of Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu, taken from the third mountain pass.

Then we start a 1,000 metre descent. The steps are steep.

These ruins are called Phuyupatamarca and they were only discovered in 1983.

More downhill.

And even more down!

The sun has coloured these leafs purple.

A view of the main valley which the trains come in on.

Stairs up at Phuyupatamarca.

Enjoying the view.

There’s over 40 terraces here. It would have been a major agricultural site.

Then down the stairs.

Some llamas that have made it their home.

A short walk to the final campsite. Most people camp here overnight, and trek to Machu Picchu on Day 4, but we only had a lunch stop here.

Lunch as always was great – much better than normal tramping food.

Then around a two hour trek towards our final destination.

Steps heading up to the Sun Gate.

Finally, we reach Intipunku, or the Sun Gate.

The initial view of Machu Picchu and the road up to it.

A close up of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

Myself and William, my guide, at the Sun Gate.

Then a final half hour trek down to Machu Picchu itself.

Posing above Machu Picchu.

Then headed down into Aguas Calientes, to meet up with the SO. It’s a cool little town with many good restaurants and shops plus these very relaxing hot pools. Was much nicer to spend the evening here, than in a tent!

Tomorrow is the final day of the holiday, being an exploration around Macchu Pichu.