We were woken at 4am today (without tea as we were in a rush)! We had breakfast while it was still dark outside the dining tent - pancakes with mango filling and toast. We then walked to the checkpoint and had to wait there til it opened at 5:30am. We were the 2nd group there (which was important as we'd get to see Machu Picchu without too many tourists there!)
To pass the time, Kate & Jimmy made up new lyrics to "Is this the way to Amarillo", which was sang quite loudly to the other waiting groups!
As the checkpoint gates opened, we set off at almost running pace (despite being told that it was not a race, the other groups were overly competitive and we wanted to overtake them!) We managed to pass most of the first group until we hit the 75 steps up - initially its ok, but the last 50 are very steep that we used our hands to help us climb them. At the top, we still had to do more climbing and more steps (!) until we reached the Sun Gate. The walk to the Sun Gate should have taken an hour and a half but we managed it in 40 minutes!! From here we could see Machu Picchu. It was in the distance but still looked very grand!
We walked down to the site and posed for the 'postcard' photos in front of it before Mauro gave us a tour of the place. It was discovered by American, Hiram Bingham in 1911. Machu Picchu was not mentioned in any of the chronicals by the Spanish (and wasn't destroyed), suggesting that they never discovered its existance. Because of that, the purpose of the place is still being debated!
To pass the time, Kate & Jimmy made up new lyrics to "Is this the way to Amarillo", which was sang quite loudly to the other waiting groups!
As the checkpoint gates opened, we set off at almost running pace (despite being told that it was not a race, the other groups were overly competitive and we wanted to overtake them!) We managed to pass most of the first group until we hit the 75 steps up - initially its ok, but the last 50 are very steep that we used our hands to help us climb them. At the top, we still had to do more climbing and more steps (!) until we reached the Sun Gate. The walk to the Sun Gate should have taken an hour and a half but we managed it in 40 minutes!! From here we could see Machu Picchu. It was in the distance but still looked very grand!
We walked down to the site and posed for the 'postcard' photos in front of it before Mauro gave us a tour of the place. It was discovered by American, Hiram Bingham in 1911. Machu Picchu was not mentioned in any of the chronicals by the Spanish (and wasn't destroyed), suggesting that they never discovered its existance. Because of that, the purpose of the place is still being debated! 
A few of us (Jimmy, Chris, Katyo, Kate & I) decided to climb Waynapicchu, the mountain at the back of Machu Picchu (just for fun - to see the view!!) It was a long journey up along massive steps that required the use of the rope on the wall to pull yourself up. It was worth it though as the views were spectatular! We left Machu Picchu and got the bus to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes to have lunch and to get the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a bus back to Cusco.
We were all shattered but really glad that we'd managed to complete the trail and see Machu Picchu. Got the stamp in the passport to prove it!
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