The Last Push: Arriving at Machu Picchu

Sunrise view at Machu Picchu

The next morning we arose at 4:30 to reach the gates of the Inca trail. We were blessed with clear skies. Nearly 200 people stood milling about at the gate. As they opened it, there was a blind rush up the mountainside, stair after stair, I was caught up in the flurry. Soon, I had had enough of the fast pace and felt like I might progress further if I crawled up the stairs. My knees were screaming and my butt was throbbing, as I had fallen in the slippery shower the night before. Panting, I finally reached the top, the last glorious step, praying that the sun would stay behind the mountains just a little longer. I finally reached the gate to the park itself where my companions were waiting. I completed the Inca Steps in 53 minutes, and I was damn proud of myself. My just reward was the most spectacular view of the Lost City I could possibly imagine.

We learned about the sacred city from our tour guide, but most of what was known was speculation. It was still fascinating to hear of an advanced ancient culture that practice science through the stars and in their agriculture. The Incas observed constellations by looking at the dark space between stars. The city was stunning. As we climbed the terraces in the city toward the afternoon, my pants tore around the bottom, and I decided that Wiana Picchu would be too much for me. Anna and I returned to Augas Calientes as the day became unbearably hot. I spent the rest of my day moving about the tourist town looking at souvenirs and nesting myself in a restaurant to people-watch and write postcards. I took the train back to Cuzco that night, exhausted and ready for a reprieve. The next day I wandered through the Temple of the Sun and the artisanal markets, mostly dazed and still in awe, before nearly missing my flight back to Lima as I rushed back to Santiago, Chile.

You do not recover quickly from the Salkantay Trek. I was back to work in the field the week of my return, but the rest of my time was spent in bed, sleeping. And sleeping some more, between organizing my collected data on the ecology of Rinconada.

Pictures:

The sacred Lost City of of the Incas

Llama taking in the view on the terraces

Temple of the Tree Windows...?

Temple of the Condor

This as an alter for tributes to the surrounding mountains.

Though a little archaic now, I really enjoyed reading Lost City of the Incas, by Hiram Bingham as a prequel to my trip. Read and enjoy.

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-City-Incas-Phoenix-Press/dp/1842125850/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287586265&sr=8-1