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Kilometer 82 is the end of the road; from here west Peru Rail or hiking are your options for traveling to Machu Picchu. |
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The start of trek of the Inca Trail at kilometer 82 with the Llamapath group of Faraz, Paul, Dennis, Bonnie, Leslie & Philip. |
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The Rio Urubamba begins to run more rapidly as it enters the mountains from the Sacred Valley running west towards the Amazon. |
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Mount Veronica (Quechua - Huaccay Huillcay "the mountain that cries" in the Quechua language) looms in the distance at the start of the Inca Trail. |
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Llactapata, at the confluence of the Rio Urubamba and Rio Cusichaca, was built circa 1450; an important agricultural site for growing maize (corn). |
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Huillca Raccay, inhabited since approx. 500 BC, is a fort that controlled access to the Cusichaca and Urubamba rivers and protected Llactapata below. |
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Llamapath's porters and guide Americo (here with Philip at a lunch stop) provided extraordinary service to our group. |
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Our ten porters and cook (Ronal on the left) were pleasant and efficient and took care of us like royalty. |
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These amazing porters carry 30 kilos up and down exceptionally steep terrain. Here, a few rest along the Inca Trail. |
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Giant hummingbirds are the largest in size of hummingbirds in the world. Aside the Inca Trail they vigorously defended these tili-tili bushes. |
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The climb to Abra de Huarmihuenusca (Dead Woman Pass) is steep and Inca-laid stone steps abound. |
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Porters work hard for little pay on the Inca Trail but reforms have recently been enacted ensuring a minimum wage, insurance and maximum loads. |
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Americo, our guide, makes the final approach to Dead Woman Pass (4,215 m) on the Inca Trail. Note the clarity of the air at this altitude. |
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Reaching Dead Woman Pass (Abra de Warmiwañuska, nearly 14,000 feet) is difficult but the effect is exhilarating (and chilly). |
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Looking SE from Warmiwañusca, the high Andean mountains near Llulluchupampa are an awesome sight. |
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Pausing for photos at Dead Woman Pass we quickly got chilled by the brisk wind and damp, rapidly moving clouds. |
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The downhill side of the pass seems easy at first but, descending 2,640 ft. in 1 1/4 miles, quickly reminds you of other muscles in your legs. |
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This tiny orchid is locally called a "Dancing Lady" (Lady's Slipper?). |
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After descending from Dead Women's Pass we found our tents already set up by our porters and ready for our arrival. |
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Runcu Raccay is believed to be a tambo, or travelers rest lodge, for chasquis (relay runners) who traveled the Inca roads. |
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Sayac Marka sits on a rocky prominence with a commanding view of the valley below. Terraces are connected by steps designed to aleviate erosion. |
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Trapezoidal cubbies are very common at Sayac Marka, a site whose purpose has not been determined definitively. |
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Holes carved in corners of stones were said to help hold doors and roofs onto Inca buildings (Sayac Marka). |
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Bright cloud forest flora seem to sparkle in the mist. |
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The Flor de Paraíso orchid was the most spectacular (almost gaudy) flower we saw in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. |
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This spectacular hummingbird photo was taken by Inca Trail companion Denis Test as we entered the cloudforest near Sayac Marka. |
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Passion fruit grows wild in the Machu Picchu sanctuary. |
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Incas built their mountains skillfully, fully exploiting natural features such as this tunnel. |
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Phuyu Pata Marka means "Cloud Level Town". Sitting at 3600 m, it was certainly in the clouds the day we visited. |
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Phuyu Pata Marka, built into the hillside is nearly invisible from the valley below. |
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Sure footed porters often raced each other down these steep, original Inca steps, bounding to their next camp. |
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Orchids abound in the Machu Picchu sanctuary; this unidentified variety (Stelis?) was the tiniest orchid we saw. |
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Intipata is believed to be an important Inca agricultural experiment station 1,000 m above the valley. The Incas forced plants to adapt |
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We have not been able to determine the name of this gaudy cloud forest flower (Boca de sapo?) that flourished among the bamboo alongside the trail. |
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Quechua was not written so the spelling of this and others sites varies (this one means "forever young" and has been written Huinay Huayna). |
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Trying to reach the sun gate for sunrise we left camp at 0500 and walked into the dark cloud forest. |
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Wild begonias brightened the darkness on morning four as we hiked towards the Machu Picchu Sun Gate. |
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This unnamed Inca site was a grave of a woman and her companion dog, who according to legend would accompany her to the afterworld. |
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The Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, Intipunku, was unfortunately engulfed in clouds that obscured our first views of the ruins below. |
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After four days and forty two kilometers of walking on roads traveled for centuries by Incas, we arrived at Machu Picchu, thrilled to be there. |
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When we arrived Machu Picchu was still encased in rapidly moving clouds that obscured sunrise but made for an eerie first view of this amazing site. |
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Our trekking team (sans porters) arrived at Machu Picchu on day 4 of our trek. Bonnie, Dennis, Paul, Faraz, Americo (our guide), Leslie & Philip |
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