Inca Trail Day 3

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Day 3 started off with a climb of course – but only 200 or so metres today.

 

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The campsite behind us as we leave.

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Another snow covered mountain top.

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A view of the valley beyond the pass.

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The trail than evens out.

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Lots of birds and butterflies on the trail.

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A zoom view of Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu, taken from the third mountain pass.

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Then we start a 1,000 metre descent. The steps are steep.

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These ruins are called Phuyupatamarca and they were only discovered in 1983.

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More downhill.

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And even more down!

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The sun has coloured these leafs purple.

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A view of the main valley which the trains come in on.

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Stairs up at Phuyupatamarca.

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Enjoying the view.

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There’s over 40 terraces here. It would have been a major agricultural site.

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Then down the stairs.

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Some llamas that have made it their home.

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A short walk to the final campsite. Most people camp here overnight, and trek to Machu Picchu on Day 4, but we only had a lunch stop here.

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Lunch as always was great – much better than normal tramping food.

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Then around a two hour trek towards our final destination.

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Steps heading up to the Sun Gate.

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Finally, we reach Intipunku, or the Sun Gate.

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The initial view of Machu Picchu and the road up to it.

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A close up of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

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Myself and William, my guide, at the Sun Gate.

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Then a final half hour trek down to Machu Picchu itself.

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Posing above Machu Picchu.

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Then headed down into Aguas Calientes, to meet up with the SO. It’s a cool little town with many good restaurants and shops plus these very relaxing hot pools. Was much nicer to spend the evening here, than in a tent!

Tomorrow is the final day of the holiday, being an exploration around Macchu Pichu.

 

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