Day Five/Leaving Camp Three - Final day, sunny (at last), and time for the last big push to Machu Picchu. Ex-Marine was extremely excited – over the thought of seeing the incredible Machu Picchu? No, he only had one more night in a tent!
The actual hiking distance was only an hour or so, but, once again, climbing. Up those huge stones, with trashed, quivering “quads”, anticipating of our first view of Machu Picchu. The Incas built a huge set of trails to span their empire. They were well maintained, and each messenger would run a leg of about 10km before passing it on to the next messenger. Sounds like a relay race to me.
It doesn’t matter how many photos you’ve seen of this sight. Nothing comes close to the emotional response when you reach the Gate of the Sun at the top. There it was, laid out below us, the “Lost City”, its unique location surrounded by jungle, mountains and overlooking the river. How did they build it? What was it used for? Why was it abandoned? Was it used strictly for religious purposes? So many questions, so many inconclusive answers. Machu Picchu is probably the most astounding feat of engineering in all of Ancient America with evidence that there may have been a permanent population of about 1,000 people, and more than 200 buildings.

I found myself, crying, in awe and exultation. Temples, stairways, palaces and stone dwellings everywhere. Ex-Marine, group and I had made it!

view from Gate of the Sun at Machu Picchu, Peru
The only other people up at the “Sun Gate” were…you guessed it….locals selling “Inca Cola”…these people are nothing if not enterprising!
Gate of the Sun
Time to take lots of photos of each other, Machu Picchu and Waynu Picchu, the tallest peak towering over the ruins. Even starting down from the Sun Gate wasn’t for the faint-hearted. Huge, rock steps, exposed on both sides at the beginning. Major “flop sweats.” After about 10 minutes of contained hysteria, the trail became “easier.” Through the ruins to our last camp along the Urubamba River, near Aquas Calientes with its natural hot baths. Finally, on the valley floor again.
There is a bus that travels back and forth from Aguas Calientes to the top on a switchbacking, dirt road that had just been rebuilt since a landslide wiped out parts earlier in the year.
the Urubamba River as seen from Machu Picchu
We walked into Aguas for a celebratory dinner, and then headed to the outdoor thermal pools. There is an admittance charge, changing facilities, showers, and different pools of water (one, ice-cold). It felt wonderful to soak our weary bones in hot pools of water, get clean, sit there schmoozing about the trek and tomorrow’s tour of Machu Picchu. Some of our “kids” were going to climb Waynu Picchu (gluttons for punishment), after the main tour, and then it was train time, back to Cuzco.
Last night in the tent, and we are zonked…..