A four day trek on the classic Inca Trail. First day spent on acclimitisation day hike above Cusco hiking from Tambo Machay back to town. The first day of the trek started at at the 82km point hiking 16km up to camp at Wayllabamba. Easy trekking in overcast and sometimes wet conditions. Second day was a tough trek up over Dead Womans Pass which at 4,200m is the highest point of the trek. Once over the pass it was a long descent to camp at Pacamayo arriving shortly before dark after 11 hours of hiking.. Third day is another long day but without the ascent of the previous day but having 1000m of descent. The route follows much of the original Inca trail through Cloud Forest. After a 6 am start we finally arrived at the camp site of Winay Wayna, once again, some 11 hours after starting. The final day involves a very early start in order to arrive at Machu Picchu and a good time to explore. We waited until the main crowds had gone through the rangers check point and so had the trail and, finally, the Sun Gate to ourselves. This was worthwhile as this is where you get the classic views of Machu Picchu and folk can spend plenty of time getting their well earned photographs. After a tour of MP we headed down to Agua Callientes by bus and our transport back to Cusco.
