It was time to embark on our four day adventure on the historic trail that dates back to the 1400s.

Cusco

We got up before the barking dogs, beeping horns and street vendors to be picked up by Jose where we also picked up a couple from Holland and a pharmacist from Argentina along the way.

Ollantaytambo

Stopped in the town that used to be Emperor Pachacuti’s royal estate and is home to some of the oldest continuously occupied dwellings in South America where we also had our breakfast as we got acquainted with Tim, Evy, and Amelia who would be hiking with the group as well.

Cusco

Boarded our ride again and resumed our travel through the countryside.

KM 82

We got off the van in the town of Piscacucho, stuffed our duffel bags up to the 15 lbs. limit and helped ourselves to the oranges and snacks proffered to us on the blue mat as we joined the bustling groups that were all getting ready for the hike.

KM 82

Group photo in front of the gated checkpoint. The Peruvian government only allows 200 hikers on the trail per day due to erosion and economic factors.

KM 82

Passing through the first checkpoint with slathered sunscreen and passport.

KM 82

Group photo in front of the visitor center.

KM 82

Walking through the center where we saw topographical mockups of the Inca trail, informative videos and a stuffed Andean or spectacled bear, sadly we would not get to actually see one in real life.

KM 82

Matt crossing the railroad tracks to get to our official starting point.

KM 82

Keeping clear of one of the trains of the railway operator that was founded in 1999.

Inca Trail

Group photo at the official start of the trail. Here we go!

Inca Trail

Hiking parallel to the Urubamba River, that was first mapped by Edward Strong and two of his friends in 1934.

Inca Trail

Jose crossing over the suspension bridge.

Inca Trail

Deborah with the background of the river that originates in the Andes Mountains.

Inca Trail

Applauding the porters as they soon caught up to us on the trail. I think we were slowed down by our light daypacks.

Inca Trail

The porters soon left us in their dust, as their approximately 50 lbs. loads gave them extra momentum on the trail.

Inca Trail

Watching a pack of donkeys make their way down back to their home.

Inca Trail

Looking at some Inca ruins in the distance where the train also parallels the trail.

Inca Trail

Matt standing on top of the avalanche field that disrupted the trail years back and unfortunately killed a number of people.

Inca Trail

All dressed up and nowhere to go. A front tire would help.

Inca Trail

Jean Pierre or JP leading his group over a fenced section of the trail.

Inca Trail

Allison pushing up one of a hill, many more to come.

Inca Trail

Group photo at a scenic spot.

Inca Trail

Allison sampling the local fermented corn drink called chicha, which is what all the porters drank when they took a break. I’ll stick to my Coca-Cola. Thanks.

Inca Trail

Group photo with the terrace ruins in the background.

Inca Trail

Exploring Inca ruins of a tamba or rest stop for the weary travelers back in the day.

Inca Trail

The group spiraling down the switch backs.

Campsite La Choza

Salud. We toasted with our freshly squeezed juice at our lunch spot.

Campsite La Choza

Eating our amazing assortment of lunch dishes.

Campsite La Choza

The porters breaking down our lunch site.

Campsite La Choza

How do you say kanak attack in Spanish?

Inca Trail

How much for a ride?

Inca Trail

Back on the trail.

Inca Trail

Passing through another local village.

Inca Trail

Hiking on the trail that was originally used for religious, military, commerce and communication reasons.

Inca Trail

Matt and Deborah decided to soak their barking dogs in the cold stream waters.

Inca Trail

Group photo on the short wooden bridge.

Huayllabamba

We reached the town that means grassy plain. They also sold limited Wi-Fi and cold drinks.

Huayllabamba

Climbing up the short hill after the group took a short break.

Huayllabamba

Matt and Deborah cresting the hill as they soon descended down into the farms and our campsite.

Huayllabamba

One of the porters making sure we get to the right campsite.

Huayllabamba

The rest of the group making their way up.

Patawasi Camp 34

Our home for the night. Hot showers! False advertising.

Patawasi Camp 34

Checking out our campsite, our accommodations rangeed from one to two person tents.

Patawasi Camp 34

Looking into the quilt of farms underneath the shadow of the Andes Mountains.

Patawasi Camp 34

Exploring the nearby ruins.

Patawasi Camp 34

Dinner is served.

Patawasi Camp 34

Enjoying the spread of hot and cold dishes.

Patawasi Camp 34

Large mosquitoes kept us company in the meal tent, we were told that the bark was worse than the bite. In other words, they don’t bite. It’s the small ones that get you. Not the big ones.

Patawasi Camp 34

Day 2

We woke up at 0500 the next morning to a bowl of warm water and soap to wash up. Followed up by a cup of cocoa tea.

Patawasi Camp 34

Our morning meal was served at 0530.

Patawasi Camp 34

Breaking down camp where we also had bananas and snacks to take on the trail with us.

Inca Trail

Aida and Deborah had left camp an hour earlier than us to get a head start. No hot breakfast for them.

Patawasi Camp 34

Group photo with the guides and porters before we left the camp.

Inca Trail

Making our way out of the village.

Inca Trail

Passing through another local checkpoint.

Inca Trail

We were at 10,170′ elevation as we passed by some informational signs.

Inca Trail

Catching the sunburst over the mountains as we made our way up the trail.

Inca Trail

Shadows on the trail.

Ayapata

We were slowly gaining elevation as we passed 10,564′.

Inca Trail

Chico passing through a gate. Wonder what it’s meant to keep out?

Inca Trail

Going up the stepped trail that bordered a stream in a forested area.

Inca Trail

We soon caught up with Aida and Deborah on the trail.

Inca Trail

Chico the butterfly whisperer. This particular winged insect landed on Chico and stayed with him for a bit even after he resumed hiking. Guess it was looking for a place to rest before fluttering off.

Inca Trail

We made it to the top of the hill with the Andes Mountains in the background.

LLulluchapampa

Group photo with Dead Woman’s Pass in the background at 12,336′ elevation. This was the climb that was billed as the hardest day on the trail.

Inca Trail

I noticed two llama’s engaged in a sparring match to determine dominance in a farm below. Didn’t stick around to find out who won.

Inca Trail

Slow and steady climb to the top as our legs and lungs were burning as the lactic acid in our bodies starting building up due to the climbing exertion.

Inca Trail

Deborah taking a breather.

Inca Trail

Chico leading the pack. Trail tales would be spun about Papa Noelle.

Inca Trail

The guides told us this was the f*cking section on the trail, as this was the steepest part to the top and most hikers would start swearing around this point. So we had to join the crowd. Sound effects if you were there.

Warmiwanusca

We reached the highest point on the Inca Trail which stands at 13,828′ elevation.

Warmiwanusca

Matt climbed up the nearby hill to gain a higher perspective.

Warmiwanusca

Aida with the sign marker. It’s called Dead Woman’s Pass not because a woman died here, but rather that the mountain range silhouette resembles a woman lying down. All the place names that were tongue twisters to my linguistically challenged brain are not the original names as the Inca civilization had no written language and after the Spanish conquered the country, the original names were lost in the dustbin of history.

Warmiwanusca

Allison about to leave the summit to head down the trail.

Inca Trail

The rest of the group making their way down.

Inca Trail

Aida making her way down the steep hill.

Inca Trail

Looking back at the pass as somebody else was silhouetted on the hill.

Inca Trail

What goes up must go back down.

Inca Trail

Letting the porters pass me on the trail. They have places to go.

Pawaymayu Alto

We dropped down to 11,798′ elevation where we would spend the night.

Pawaymayu Alto

One of the porters guiding us to our campsite.

Pawaymayu Alto

Allison making her entrance into the campsite amidst a smattering of applause. Can we eat now?

Pawaymayu Alto

Eating our as always delicious lunch.

Pawaymayu Alto

Meet and greet. Junaito (chef), Alberto (head porter), Basilo (waiter), Julio (propane tank), Noel (kitchen), Vemejo (food), Griego (duffel), Leonso (duffel), Semos (food), Comitos (food), Seiho (tents), Edison (tents), Mattias (duffel), Jusitono (duffel), Carlos (garbage/toilet), Apariso (food/duffel), Felix (meat), and Ricardo (sous chef). My ear for Spanish is severely lacking, so I’m sure I messed up most of their names. Their ages ranged from 20 to 67 years old, amazing bunch of guys.

Pawaymayu Alto

Relaxing at our campsite, where some of us decided to visit the nearby campsite for a cold shower.

Pawaymayu Alto

Popcorn and crackers for our snack time.

Pawaymayu Alto

We had time to kill, so JP and Jose taught us a card game called Shithead. Supposedly it’s popular with hikers. The object of the game is to get rid of all your cards and the one left holding the remaining cards is the Shithead. Guess who won (lost)? The name starts and ends with a vowel.

Pawaymayu Alto

It was time to eat our dinner. Our guides then told us a ghost story but not before several individuals excused themselves as they had no desire to have nightmares or spiritual visitations. The story was that a wife was supposedly murdered by her husband in this same area many years ago and to this day, her presence haunts this locale. Good night and don’t let the ghosts bite.

Pawaymayu Alto

Day 3
We woke up again at 0500 to a bowl of warm water and soap and cocoa tea outside our tents and then ambled over to the mess tent to have our breakfast.

Inca Trail

Aida and Deborah left early again to get another head start on the trail along with Valerio, the fastest and strongest of the porters.

Pawaymayu Alto

Which works better? Bug spray or head net? Only time on the trail will tell, as we were told that the biting bugs would be out in force today. The bark turned out to be worse than the bite.

Pawaymayu Alto

Leaving the campsite for the trail.

Inca Trail

There was another f*cking section of the trail. Here we go again.

Inca Trail

Deborah overlooking the ruins with views of Urubamba Valley.

Inca Trail

Chico crossing over a bridge with the cloud wrapped mountains behind him.

Runqurakay

The structure served as a resting place and control site to monitor the people traveling on the Inca Trail.

Runqurakay

360 degree view of the circular archaeological site.

Inca Trail

Aida near the first and smaller of the two hanging lakes.

Inca Trail

Can you see Dead Woman’s Pass for the mountain range?

Inca Trail

Looking back at the now cloud soaked ruins.

Inca Trail

Not as steep as Dead Woman’s Pass.

Laguna Yana Cocha

Matt checking out the larger of the hanging lakes.

Inca Trail

Amelia and Allison leaving the lake and passing the sign with the oft-quoted saying that is attributed to Chief Seattle, a leader of the Duwamish tribe of the Pacific Northwest tribe.

Inca Trail

A mix of porters, guides and hikers making their way up the trail.

Inca Trail

Taking a break in the pass.

Inca Trail

Some of us scrambled up to the nearby hill.

Inca Trail

Can you see Allison for the mountains?

Inca Trail

A different view from the top of the hill.

Inca Trail

Descending down the hill.

Inca Trail

Descending into a rock tunnel.

Inca Trail

Aida against the backdrop of what I thought was a stream, but it’s actually a lake that is starving for water.

Inca Trail

Allison and Jose coming down the first set of the Gringo Killer Steps.

Sayaqmarka

Jose sprinting up the second set of Gringo Killer Steps. This one actually claimed a Gringo as Allison decided to stay at the bottom.

Sayaqmarka

Matt approaching the top of the ruins that is perched on a mountain spur.

Sayaqmarka

Jose explaining the historical background and the fact that behind us was a historical trail that also connects to Cusco.

Sayaqmarka

Group photo at the complex that was used for religious and residential purposes.

Sayaqmarka

Aida sitting against the background of tightly constructed and compartmentalized areas due to the space that they had to work with.

Sayaqmarka

The group staggered on a set of “floating” steps built into the stone structure.

Sayaqmarka

Splish-splash, we were taking a bath. Water not needed when you have imagination.

Inca Trail

Leaving the archeological site.

Inca Trail

Passing through some ruins that were in the process of being restored.

Chakiqocha

We took a quick break at this campsite before resuming our hike.

Inca Trail

Trail debate about living within your means and working with what you got. Some of us can agree to disagree.

Inca Trail

Today was the longest distance we would cover in a day, which was a little over nine miles.

Inca Trail

Deborah about to enter a rock tunnel.

Inca Trail

Matt making his way down.

Phuyupatamarka

Deborah walking down the runway of applause as bowls of warm water and soap awaited us.

Phuyupatamarka

Grabbing our solitary shots with the llamas.

Phuyupatamarka

Lunch is served.

Phuyupatamarka

Scenic spot.

Cusco

The campsite was able to get cell phone reception in the form of bad news. Mari had her phone stolen in the marketplace back in Cusco and was flying home today. Thanks to Maria for her assistance in all matters.

Phuyupatamarka

Making our way down the third set of Gringo Killer Steps.

Phuyupatamarka

Are we down yet?

Phuyupatamarka

Group photo at the site known as “The City Above the Clouds” due to its elevation of 11,811′.

Phuyupatamarka

JP’s group coming down the steps.

Inca Trail

Spiraling our way down the fourth set of Gringo Killer Steps.

Inca Trail

Descending down a rock tunnel.

Inca Trail

Allison about to exit the tunnel.

Intipata

The trail soon lead us to these ruins that were “discovered” in 1992 and cleared by the University of Cusco. Imagine what other ruins may be “hiding” in the jungle that quickly claims and covers any man-made structures that are not kept up.

Intipata

Matt climbed the steps to gain another higher perspective.

Intipata

Watching a wasp drag its tarantula victim back to its nest.

Intipata

Cartwheeling across the open area, hoping a wasp will not drag us to its nest.

Intipata

Group photo at “The Place of the Sun” which sits at 9,300′ elevation.

Intipata

Following the trail as we made our way down from the terraced platforms, which at one time grew food crops such as potatoes.

Intipata

Going down the fifth set of Gringo Killer Steps. The story goes that the guides just made this up to joke with their customers and also perhaps to make light of the steep steps, which I found wasn’t that steep as advertised. No complaining here.

Intipata

I think somebody had enough of the Gringo Killer Steps for the day.

Winaywayna

Our porter leading us to the most densely packed campsite.

Winaywayna

Matt was the only one that made the visit to these nearby ruins. The rest of us were too busy relaxing and taking cold showers.

Winaywayna

The final dinner on the trail that was capped off with a home made cake made on the trail using a pressure cooker. Evy got to cut the cake since her birthday was the closest.

Winaywayna

We did the tipping ceremony where we collectively gave the porters extra money in appreciation for all their hard work that made our hike that much easier.

Winaywayna

Day 4

We got up earlier at 0330 to allow the porters to break down camp and was given a breakfast bag to take with us.

Control Point

The control point was teeming with hikers who had gotten up earlier than us to get in front of the line. We all had to wait until 0530 before being released onto the trail.

Inca Trail

Traffic jam on the trail.

Inca Trail

Chico and Matt raced ahead to try and catch the sunrise.

Inca Trail

Thanks for the advice.

Inca Trail

Another view of the sunrise with seemingly steaming clouds coming off the valley floor.

Inca Trail

Met up again with the couple from New Mexico on the trail, where we found out that their phone with all their memories of the trip had just been stolen outside of their tent last night. Shades of Mari.

Inca Trail

Climbing up the last set of Gringo Killer Steps where most have to use their hands and feet to make it up the steep climb.

Inca Trail

Allison at the top of the Gringo Killer Steps.

Inca Trail

The clouds seemed to be burning off as we approached the Sun Gate.

Intipunku

Approaching the control gate that was the entrance and exit to the sacred city of Machu Picchu.

Intipunku

We arrived at the cloud soaked ruins at an elevation of 8,923′.

Intipunku

Everybody started to gather and congregate on the stone steps and terraces to catch a glimpse of the sunrise. It was a bust. Cloud Gate.

Inca Trail

Waiting for the fog and/or clouds to burn off.

Inca Trail

The wait was in vain so we continued along the cloud soaked trail.

Inca Trail

Group photo in front of the cave that once housed Inca royal mummies that were “appropriated” by Hiram Bingham and company for sale to private collections.

Inca Trail

Are we going to get a view today? Or do we have to settle for the postcard and photoshop ourselves in them.

Inca Trail

We still have to climb?

Machu Picchu

Whistles and contradictory advice lead to a confused photo.

Machu Picchu

The postcard photo of the Inca citadel that was “lost” to time after the Spanish conquered and colonized the country in 1572. Hiram Bigham, while not the first person to “discover” the ruins, was the first to bring it to international attention.

Machu Picchu

Making our way out of the site through the “hiker” path. People that visit the site by motorized vehicles enters a different path.

Machu Picchu

Allison climbing down the stairs with a postcard view of the valley in front of her.

Machu Picchu

Re-entering the archeological site.

Machu Picchu

We waited in line to take our group photo …

Machu Picchu

… and solo photos as well.

Machu Picchu

Exploring the Temple of the Sun, Royal Residence and other stone structures.

Machu Picchu

Climbing up another flight of steps as we passed a grazing llama.

Machu Picchu

Matt looking out over the ruins of the royal estate that was built for the Emperor Pachacuti circa 1450.

Waynapicchu

Showing our passport and ticket at another control point that only allows 400 hikers a day.

Waynapicchu

The start of the climb towards the mountain that overshadows Machu Picchu.

Waynapicchu

Chico heading up the trail that started off gradually and became seemingly steeper with each step we took.

Waynapicchu

Yielding to descending traffic, where we also saw a woman who was in pain after breaking her ankle on the steep path.

Waynapicchu

Climbing my way up the steep trail that was interrupted by terraces where one could rest or yield to faster traffic.

Waynapicchu

The trail split into separate directions at this point to minimize bottlenecks. Not everybody observed the traffic flow.

Waynapicchu

The final push to the top.

Waynapicchu

Chico climbing up the “Stairs of Death.”

Waynapicchu

360 degree group photo at the top.

Waynapicchu

Chico at the 8,835′ summit.

Waynapicchu

Another group photo with the buzzing bees at the top.

Waynapicchu

Climbing our way down the loop trail.

Waynapicchu

Ascending and descending the “floating steps.”

Waynapicchu

Squeezing our way through a tunnel that the guides told us was not conducive to gordo (fat) people.

Waynapicchu

Chico standing on one of the platforms that break up the trail.

Waynapicchu

Re-joining the main trail back down the mountain.

Waynapicchu

Looking back at the “young mountain” that we had just climbed.

Machu Picchu

Our last look at the “Lost City of the Incas” as we left the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Machu Picchu

Standing in the long but fast moving line to board the bus that would take us a step closer to getting back to our hotel.

Aguas Calientes

We got off at the “hot springs” town that didn’t exist until the railroad was built here in the 1920s. Had lunch at the Munaycha restaurant that allowed the porters to drop off our duffel bags in exchange for our patronage.

Peru Rail

Boarding the train for our ride back.

Peru Rail

Enjoying our roughly 2 1/2 hour ride on the train through the countryside and enjoying my favorite beverage as well. I even got a 10 Sol note in change that had Machu Picchu on it.

Ollantaytambo

Somebody noticed the train wasn’t scheduled to stop where we needed to get off. We finally convinced the conductor to have the train stop after signing waiver forms, where we got picked up by Jose and his brother who dropped us off at our hotel.

All pau

Met up with Tim and Evy for some much needed medium rare protein, the tomohawk cut took backseat to much needed massage time for a certain individual. I guess you can’t have your steak and eat it too.

GPS Tracks

Our four-day hike covered 24.56 miles through different ecozones and environments and impressive ancient Inca ruins along the way that was done with a solid group that made the miles melt away. Thanks to our guides and porters that made the hike much more manageable and enjoyable for our group.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Deborah Tom, Mari Saito, Matt Vidaurri, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.