Breaking Down the Inca Trail: Days 3 & 4

Continued. Read the first part here.

Day 3
The rain that started the minute we got into our tents last night hasn’t let up by morning despite my numerous pleas to whatever gods will hear me, so we crawl out of our warm sleeping bags into a cold, wet day at 5:00 a.m. We have 15 km to cover, rain or shine. Behind us, Dead Woman’s Pass is covered in snow.

Ahead of us another pass waits, the Trail’s second, which we must climb 450 meters to reach. We begin the ascent, taking one short break in the rain to check out the ruins of Runkuracay, a resting spot for Machu Picchu pilgrims.

Through the pass, we descend to about the same elevation we started the day at and then climb again to the third pass. On our way, we pass through the first of two Inca Tunnels, magnificent passageways chiseled from enormous rock slabs, and walk again though cloud forest.

We also pass more Inca ruins, the most intact and impressive along the path. Lunch comes early today, and with it, the end of the rain. It’s been a wet morning, but as it is the wet season, we’ve been remarkably lucky that this is all we have encountered. Though I had my fingers crossed, I half expected to walk in the rain all day every day. Blue skies and sunshine roll in for the afternoon, which is fortunate as the hardest part of the day’s hike awaits us: the Gringo Killer. For over 2.5 hours, we must go down. Someone says there are over 2,000 stairs. I don’t count. I just know there are a lot. By the time we make camp at Winay Wayna, just before dinner, all of our knees are screaming. Since the porters are leaving us after breakfast the next morning, we have a short thank you ceremony for them, and then we all fall, literally, into our tents, absolutely exhausted.

Day 4
The benefit of yesterday’s long day is that we are as close to Machu Picchu as anyone on the Inca Trail can be. Trail regulations keep anyone from hiking before 5:30 a.m., but as soon as the clock turns, we are off, racing to the Sun Gate to get our first view of Machu Picchu. Though it’s barely dawn, the day looks clear. We can only hope it lasts as we speedwalk a couple of miles through more “Inca Flats.” As with the whole trail, it’s “no pain, no gain,” so we must make a good climb before reaching the Sun Gate. We haul ourselves up and then gape down at Machu Picchu, spread out before us.

Though many others (including plenty of people who went in the dry season) told us to expect rain, mist, or at minimum clouds covering the site, we are blessed with blue skies and sunshine.  Our view is clear. A few thin clouds pass by but we have a perfect view down on the amazingly well-preserved ruins of Machu Picchu.

After snapping lots of photos, we continue down to the site for close exploration. For two hours, our guide leads us to some of the more significant sites. We then spend a few more hours exploring on our own, marveling at the perfect stonework of the temples, admiring the ingenuity of the fountains and water systems, wondering just how they managed to carve the terraces into the steepness of the mountainside, and just enjoying what truly is one of the wonders of the world.

11 Replies to “Breaking Down the Inca Trail: Days 3 & 4”

  1. Let it be known that a (possibly) too much information version of the trek, especially Day 2 into Day 3, will be available on my website in a few days. I’ll be sure to post a link when its up. While it may be too much information, its an important to MY story.

  2. Here’s my question, as a person who is both active (cyclist) and lazy, all at the same time.

    When you finish something like this – memorable, monumental, and taxing – are you instantly ready to go do the next “thing,” or do you need some recovery time? I think the ever-present obligation to go do the next thing would really get to me after awhile if I was going RTW. Probably why I am not.

    Cheers, kids.

  3. Well, we went out and saw the ruins surrounding Cusco the two days after returning, but since then Jeff and I have been sitting on our butts in Lima. We’re heading tonight up the coast to a beach town to relax more (and see a site or two). We considered stopping along the way in a mountain range known for its trekking, but we passed. We’re trying hard to learn to do things because we really want to, not because we feel obligated in any way. I think the trekking would be amazing there, but at this point I’m tired enough of walking that I wouldn’t properly enjoy it and it would therefore not be amazing.

  4. CONGRATULATIONS!!! You all did great! I knew you all would. The pictures are more than splendid! As for me, when I arrived at Ollanlaytambo, I would have said –changed my mind! I saw Greg today and he told me many wonderful stories–so everyone needs to check out his site. Theresa, it looks like you are going blonde–it looks good! Enjoy the beach!!!

Leave a Reply to Theresa Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.