Getting to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail

The third day of our trek started with waking up at 4 a.m. to pack up our campsite where we said goodbye to our porters and Donato. We traveled by van to the train station at Ollantaytambo where we rode the train to km 104 of the Inca Trail. The train stopped just long enough for us to jump off (literally) and we made our way to the checkpoint where we picked up the last part of the Inca Trail. 

The Inca Trail was quite different from Lares. Although it was also an uphill climb it wasn't as challenging. Also, we we were at a much lower altitude, 9000 ft, so again in sub-tropical conditions. We were able to see the Urubamba river meandering and following us far below and the mountains were lush green and often shrouded in mist. Though different from Lares, it was also a beautiful setting. Often we were walking on stone stairways carved out by the Incas and about two thirds of the way there we stopped to eat a snack at a waterfall. 

The ultimate goal was to get to the Sun Gate so we could see Machu Picchu from above even though we weren't going to explore the ruins until the next day. The last few minutes before the Sun Gate there is a series of steps that Daniel jokingly referred to as 'Gringo Killer'. We all made it up the steps and got our first spectacular view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. Mission accomplished!