Week 10: The End - Machu Picchu

My final week in South America was nothing short of incredible.  Machu Picchu is absolutely amazing - way more so than I expected - and I think everyone in our group would highly recommend it to anyone looking for breathtaking historic sites surrounded by gorgeous scenery mixed in with some pretty serious hiking (although, I think most would agree that there is probably a more suitable time to visit than the rainy season)...

We went with a tour company called Aventours (they were great!) - the six in our group traveled with a guide, a chef, and TEN porters, carrying our tents and all the food and supplies necessary for the trip (including a portable bathroom).  We arrived to a completely set up camp site each day, afternoon tea and cookies, and 3 course gourmet meals (think pancakes and french toast for breakfast, avocados stuffed with tuna salad, all sorts of soups, chicken, spaghetti, beef, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and even chocolate pudding, jello, and cookies for dessert) - additionally, we were awoken each morning with a cup of warm tea or coffee IN our tents - I've decided this is the way I would like to camp for the rest of my life (although 5 days without showers was stretching it for me).

Day 1: quick stop to visit/feed alpacas, two Inca ruin tours on the way to the trail, and a 45 minute hike to our base camp to start the trip

 [I think I would like a baby alpaca for Christmas]

 [Traditional Peruvian women weaving alpaca yarn]

 [Incredible views]

[The journey begins....]

Day 2: 7.5 mile hike, 1,600 feet elevation gain, no rain (!) - passed a lot of cows, horses, donkeys, llamas, and tiny little houses

 [These guys were all over - just wandering the trail]

[Pupper, goat, AND chickens - quite the farm]

Day 3: 5.5 miles, 3,600 feet elevation gain, and lots and lots of rain - this day was a bit miserable thanks to the steep incline mixed with freezing cold rain.  I almost hit my breaking point after making it to the tent, changing into warm clothes, and waking up from my nap to a sopping wet sleeping bag due to the dripping clothes hung up inside our tent to dry.  Thankfully a bit of hot chocolate mixed with rum helped... 

Day 4: 10 miles, 1,500 feet elevation gain, and MUCH better weather - long day of hiking but only rain sprinkles and incredible views through the rain forest - plus we saw a rainbow AND a cluster of four leaf clovers... 

 [There are over 9,000 steps on the Inca trail....]

Day 5: 3:30AM wake up, 3 mile hike, and 950 feet elevation drop into Machu Picchu (!!) before lots of time for exploring and a 4 hour train ride back to Cusco. 

 [Made it!]

 [Breathtaking.]

All in all, pretty incredible end to a pretty incredible 10 weeks.  I head back home tomorrow and could not be more excited! :)