Day 4 - Final Hike to Machu Picchu
WIÑAYWAYNA- INTUPINKU - MACHUPICCHU (HUAYNAPICCHU) -CUSCO. Notes from our Tour Company's Website
We will get up very early -around 4:00 am -to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu for the first rays of the sunrise. Your hope is that it is sunny morning not foggy. Unfortunately it was fogged in for us. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be hiking in darkness for one hour, so a head lamp is strongly recommended please follow instructions of your guides and watch out your steps.
From Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), a final easy 50-minutes walk downhill steps will bring us first to the upper south sector of Machupicchu (The Guardian houses) The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city, after enjoying a panoramic view we must walk straight down to the entrance of Machu Picchu. (backpacks storage for 5 Soles available at the gate.) Few minutes later we will continue on to explore the site, with explanations provided by the trek guide(s). The formal tour will end in the late morning, after which there will be a couple of hours for more exploring on your own, or to just collapse under a tree in the central plaza area.
Below are my thoughts after completing this amazing hike.
Posts from this trip.
Starting at KM 82, the trek to Machu Picchu takes four days. Each day brings its own challenges and vivid memories. The hike is grueling - no doubt about that. Anyone over the age of 60 is required to submit a letter from their doctor stating they are physically capable of strenuous activity at high altitude. For safety reasons, the guides carry spare oxygen to assist anyone who experiences breathing problems
After breakfast, around 8:00 am we re-start our walk from our camp to Ayapata valley, it takes around 1 hour followed by a soft uphill climb through woods and along a stream (3,300 m / 10,824 ft) Today is our great challenge day but with plenty of time to enjoy, it is the biggest climb of our hike, strenuous because you gain 1,200 meters in elevation planned in 2 stages, but your are rewarded with spectacular views up the mountain.
After breakfast, around 7:00 am. The path climbs very steeply from Pacaymayo camp in a well preserved paved path –Camino Inca and takes 1 hour to reach the ruins at Runcuracay, a circular structure with a rectangular outbuildings perched on the edge of the valley, an old Inca -tambo where chaskis rested, guard post, lookout point or a ritual building, the site is best viewed from higher up the path. The second pass (3,950 m / 12,956 ft) called as well as Abra de Runcuracay, is another hour up, beyond a series of false summits and at the top of a series of steep staircases.