Aug 10, 2008 - Inca Trail - Following the path of the Incas!

The Inca Trail ultimately leads to the one of the 7 wonders of the world, the "Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu!" There is in fact many Inca paths that leads to Machu Picchu (the shortest one takes one day!) but this is the main one that the Incas use to trek on their pilgramage to Machu Picchu during the Inca Empire. ... Day 4 - Camping is great at the best of times, but not so much when its raining! At 4am we woke to pouring rain and fading hopes that we would not see a much anticipated sunrise over Machu Picchu. ... With the heavy cloud there was no Sun at this Gate and as we approached closer and closer to Machu Picchu the name "Lost City of the Incas" was most appropriate - we couldnt bloody see it!! We arrived at Machu Picchu and for a while could not see too much. ... Machu Picchu actually means "old mountain" and it is the name of one mountain for which the city is located. ...

Aug 6, 2008 - MACHU PICCHU

You have GOT TO COME HERE. But, back to Machu Picchu. ... OMG.You have GOT TO COME HERE. But, back to Machu Picchu. ... OMG....

Jun 23, 2008 - Machu Picchu!!

The reason we got there so early was to beat the crowds, as there was to be 200 people trekking to Machu Picchu this morning. ... In the back of our minds we remembered what Julio had said to us and it was then that I gave myself a goal - to be the first girl to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for that day, and to let nobody pass us! Todays track wasn´t too bad - a few rocky steps, but mostly it was relatively flat. ... And probably the steepest we have ever seen - or were we just so tired that it only looked that way? But, we fought through them, climed tothe top and realised that it mustn´t be to far from the Sun Gate - which you could say is kind of the beginning of Machu Picchu. ... We asked one person how far it was to Machu Picchu. ... How exciting! Finally, we knew we were at Machu Picchu when we saw the most beautiful sight. ...

Jun 2, 2008 - Machu Picchu

The start of my 21st week away from home, and what an amazing way to start it! The whole group was up for the first bus to the site, though given that 22 buese are prepped to go up at a time it's a bit of a misnomer to call it the first bus! It's quite a journey up to Machu Picchu; you zigzag on a switchback road, climbing higher and higher to the summit. ... You don't really appreciate how high you are going, till you catch a glimpse through the mist of the lights of Aguas Calients far far below you.The start of my 21st week away from home, and what an amazing way to start it! The whole group was up for the first bus to the site, though given that 22 buese are prepped to go up at a time it's a bit of a misnomer to call it the first bus! It's quite a journey up to Machu Picchu; you zigzag on a switchback road, climbing higher and higher to the summit. ... You don't really appreciate how high you are going, till you catch a glimpse through the mist of the lights of Aguas Calients far far below you....

Jun 1, 2008 - Cusco to Machu Picchu

Up at 5 and queuing for the bus at quarter past, we were second in line and got the very first bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu at 5. ... The scenery around Machu Picchu is just as breath-taking as Machu Picchu, and it isn´t any wonder that it lay so long undiscovered. ... Once more around the ruins, now in the backing heat, and to further Inca sites away from the centre of MP we felt that we had seen everything, so we walked back down the mountain, along the river into Aguas Calientes.Up at 5 and queuing for the bus at quarter past, we were second in line and got the very first bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu at 5. ... The scenery around Machu Picchu is just as breath-taking as Machu Picchu, and it isn´t any wonder that it lay so long undiscovered. ... Once more around the ruins, now in the backing heat, and to further Inca sites away from the centre of MP we felt that we had seen everything, so we walked back down the mountain, along the river into Aguas Calientes....

May 24, 2008 - Machu Picchu

Aw, the crown jewel of the trip for me.Machu Picchu! Recently the worldwide community decided to rename the 7 wonders of the world with an online vote. ... Now on the list of the seven wonders of the world is Machu Picchu. ... Speaking from my visit, I wholeheardedly agree!!! Up til this point in my travel life.Aw, the crown jewel of the trip for me.Machu Picchu! Recently the worldwide community decided to rename the 7 wonders of the world with an online vote. ... Now on the list of the seven wonders of the world is Machu Picchu. ... Speaking from my visit, I wholeheardedly agree!!! Up til this point in my travel life....

May 24, 2008 - Machu Picchu

today was machu picchu and let me tell you it was quite a sight. ... we took a 45 minute bus from our hotel up to the sight and it was one of those where you had to climb a lot of stairs and then all of a sudden out of nowhere, were these ancient ruins that you see in books.today was machu picchu and let me tell you it was quite a sight. ... we took a 45 minute bus from our hotel up to the sight and it was one of those where you had to climb a lot of stairs and then all of a sudden out of nowhere, were these ancient ruins that you see in books....

May 17, 2008 - Machu Picchu

Very early morning start today 430am! So we could catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to miss the crowds. ... We had a wonderful guide for 2 hours who gave us a great insight as to the culture, history, legends and misconceptions that surround the whole Machu Picchu history. ... Really interesting.Very early morning start today 430am! So we could catch one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to miss the crowds. ... We had a wonderful guide for 2 hours who gave us a great insight as to the culture, history, legends and misconceptions that surround the whole Machu Picchu history. ... Really interesting....

May 17, 2008 - Day 4 - we made it to Machu Picchu!

Having the most perfect weather the whole time we were disappointed to wake in the middle of the night to pouring rain! It wasn’t cold but when it rains here it really does! Packing up and getting ready was a mission but by the time we were at the checkpoint at 5am the rain had stopped thank goodness! It was still really foggy but hey, it wasn’t raining! We got through the checkpoint with 200 other trekkers and walked for just over an hour to the Sungate. This is meant to have awesome views but the fog was just not shifting!!! We waited until just after 7am then walked for another hour down to Machu Picchu where Martin our guide was waiting for us! It was such a buzz to have actually made it! We were super chuffed! From there Tom, Bruce and Geoff headed up Wayna Picchu (sp!?) while the rest of us had a tour of the ruins. ... Such a massive place and such a history, it was great to see and hear all about it.Having the most perfect weather the whole time we were disappointed to wake in the middle of the night to pouring rain! It wasn’t cold but when it rains here it really does! Packing up and getting ready was a mission but by the time we were at the checkpoint at 5am the rain had stopped thank goodness! It was still really foggy but hey, it wasn’t raining! We got through the checkpoint with 200 other trekkers and walked for just over an hour to the Sungate. This is meant to have awesome views but the fog was just not shifting!!! We waited until just after 7am then walked for another hour down to Machu Picchu where Martin our guide was waiting for us! It was such a buzz to have actually made it! We were super chuffed! From there Tom, Bruce and Geoff headed up Wayna Picchu (sp!?) while the rest of us had a tour of the ruins. ... Such a massive place and such a history, it was great to see and hear all about it....

May 16, 2008 - Day 3 - cruising now!

Having conquered two huge Passes, the rest of the hike was more enjoyable and the scenery was even more amazing! We only hiked for around 4 hours which seemed like nothing after the previous day! We were at Winaywayna by 1pm and after another yummy lunch we chilled out for the afternoon which was nice. Geoff and a few of the others went to see another Inca ruin but we were pretty shattered and the cards came out for the afternoon! In the evening we enjoyed a cold beer as there was actually a bar at this campsite which was a surprise! Again, another early night as we had to be up at 4am to get going for the final part of the hike to see the sun rise over Machu Picchu! ...

May 15, 2008 - Day 2 - the hardest day by far!!

OK, this was the killer day and we were ready to go at 7am! The group had naturally spilt into three groups and it was good as you could go at your pace and enjoy the most amazing scenery I have ever seen! Tom turned out to be a super fast hiker and was nearly recruited to be a porter he was so good! The next group not far behind Tom was Bruce, Alison, Lisa and most the time Geoff.OK, this was the killer day and we were ready to go at 7am! The group had naturally spilt into three groups and it was good as you could go at your pace and enjoy the most amazing scenery I have ever seen! Tom turned out to be a super fast hiker and was nearly recruited to be a porter he was so good! The next group not far behind Tom was Bruce, Alison, Lisa and most the time Geoff....

May 1, 2008 - A day in Machu Picchu

We woke up at 5AM in the morning to catch the 5:30AM bus (USD 6/adult, 20 minutes) to the Machu Picchu ruin so that we can be there before the thousands of tourists that would get there around 9-10AM. ... He even wrote a book about Machu Picchu`s history which can be found it almost every bookstore or souvenior shop. ... Highly recommended.We woke up at 5AM in the morning to catch the 5:30AM bus (USD 6/adult, 20 minutes) to the Machu Picchu ruin so that we can be there before the thousands of tourists that would get there around 9-10AM. ... He even wrote a book about Machu Picchu`s history which can be found it almost every bookstore or souvenior shop. ... Highly recommended....