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Peiying Mo | profile | all galleries >> Travel >> Peru >> 4-Day Hike on the Inca Trail >> Day 4: Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu tree view | thumbnails | slideshow | map

Day 4: Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu

Today, we would hike the remaining 13km with 1200m absolute elevation drop. It is a very scenic hike with a visit to Phuyupatamarca close to the camp ground, then a view of Urubamba valley from Intipata. We stopped for lunch at Winaywayna, another archaeologic site before heading to the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) right at sunset time, to have the first fabulous view of Machu Picchu. We literally have the park to ourselves before the park is closed for the day. What a memorable moment!
After breakfast, we begin steep descent
After breakfast, we begin steep descent		 agricultural irrigation system to bring water to anywhere
agricultural irrigation system to bring water to anywhere		 Water channels are still functioning this day
Water channels are still functioning this day		 View of the water channels
View of the water channels		 The ruins of Phuypatamarca half covered in clouds
The ruins of Phuypatamarca half covered in clouds
You need poles to balance yourself
You need poles to balance yourself		 The stairs are built along the terraces
The stairs are built along the terraces		 Ruin of Phuyupatamarca
Ruin of Phuyupatamarca		 Solid stone staircases take people up and down
Solid stone staircases take people up and down		 Going down is not easy either
Going down is not easy either
Government labeled landmark of the distance since entrance to the park
Government labeled landmark of the distance since entrance to the park		 The clouds continue following us
The clouds continue following us		 First glimpse of Aqua Calientes - the ultimate destination
First glimpse of Aqua Calientes - the ultimate destination		 There are ruins to be unearthed under these vegetations
There are ruins to be unearthed under these vegetations		 Taking it slow evening coming down
Taking it slow evening coming down
The Intipata terrace is visible on the left side
The Intipata terrace is visible on the left side		 View of Intipata - an agriculture center
View of Intipata - an agriculture center		 We can see our lunch spot from here
We can see our lunch spot from here		 View of Urubamba Valley
View of Urubamba Valley		 The Intipata agricultural center
The Intipata agricultural center
Old house
Old house		 Some of the steepest steps on the trail
Some of the steepest steps on the trail		 So steep you can't see three people ahead of you when going down
So steep you can't see three people ahead of you when going down		 Stones on the side of the wall to redirect water
Stones on the side of the wall to redirect water		 Ruin of Intipata
Ruin of Intipata
Ruin of Intipata
Ruin of Intipata 		After lunch, we stop to check out Winaywayna
After lunch, we stop to check out Winaywayna 		Winaywayna means forever young
Winaywayna means "forever young"		 Winaywayna was a town and agricultural center
Winaywayna was a town and agricultural center		 g9/11/16011/3/157850112.Ltng5bs1.jpg
Last check point on the trail
Last check point on the trail		 Rio Urubamba
Rio Urubamba		 Huge dam over Rio Urubamba
Huge dam over Rio Urubamba		 Taking a break
Taking a break		 The last steep climb before Sun Gate
The last steep climb before Sun Gate
The Inca Trail hike officially ends here; We are going through the Sun Gate
The Inca Trail hike officially ends here; We are going through the Sun Gate		 Guides Piero and Elias toast for the successful hike!
Guides Piero and Elias toast for the successful hike!		 What a beautiful world!
What a beautiful world!		 Toast!
Toast!		 Taking it all in at the Sun Gate
Taking it all in at the Sun Gate
Switchback road between Machu Picchu and Aqua Calientes
Switchback road between Machu Picchu and Aqua Calientes		 View of the Machu Picchu complex from the Sun Gate
View of the Machu Picchu complex from the Sun Gate		 Dizzying view of the Urubamba Valley
Dizzying view of the Urubamba Valley		 Entering Machu Picchu
Entering Machu Picchu		 Arriving at Machu Picchu
Arriving at Machu Picchu
We made it!
We made it!		 Group shot
Group shot		 First look of some old housing structures
First look of some old housing structures		 Beautiful sunset
Beautiful sunset		 Sun is setting behind the hills
Sun is setting behind the hills
Hard working hands - we all need a manicure
Hard working hands - we all need a manicure		 The group and guide Elias in the background
The group and guide Elias in the background		 Coming down 1000 meters in a day is a lot
Coming down 1000 meters in a day is a lot		 Approaching to the Sun Gate
Approaching to the Sun Gate		 Pop! Champaign cheers at Sun Gate. Machu Picchu in the background
Pop! Champaign cheers at Sun Gate. Machu Picchu in the background

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joseantonio22-Oct-2014 04:18
What an amazing country. Thank you for binging back memories.V
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