Trekkers Arrive at Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail
After days on the Inca Trail, today marked the culmination of the trek. The morning began at a slower pace, with time to enjoy and explore Aguas Calientes. This was intentional, allowing the team to avoid the heavy crowds associated with sunrise visits.
Late in the morning, the group regrouped and headed up to Machu Picchu, making their way through Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) at approximately 2,720 meters / 8,924 feet before entering the site. The afternoon was spent exploring Machu Picchu, moving through its terraces, temples, and stone corridors, and taking in the precision of Inca engineering set high above the Urubamba River. The scale, setting, and preservation of the site made clear why Machu Picchu is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and among the most significant cultural landscapes on Earth.
In the afternoon, the team returned to Aguas Calientes and prepared for the journey back to Cusco. The expedition finished aboard the luxury Hiram Bingham train through the Sacred Valley, with fine dining, live music, and views of the valley providing a celebratory close. By evening, the team arrived back in Cusco with the satisfaction of the expedition and the shared experience of reaching Machu Picchu together.
Photos from trekker Mark Watson
