thru' out the trail: ..MUST apply sunblock ! UV extreme.
Physical reqts: ......reasonable level of fitness will do ..
Age reqts: .............DEFINITELY does not matter !!
We have a "private" group meaning our own Guide, 5 porters & 1 cook for the duration of the 4 days Trail. (all included in trip package)
For each additional porter : US 120.00 ..But we didnt have to, as we decided to tip more for the 5 porters we have.
Sleeping Bags (goose feathers) : US27 for a 4 day trek. Rent at Cusco - many shops with hiking equipment for hire.
itinerary:
DAY 1 : Cusco (3,350m) - Wayllabamba (3,000m)
early morning rise. Drive 2hrs to start of trail. Checkpoint #1 to report in.
First view of Veronica Snow Mountains (5,720m). 
Commence walk for next 3 hrs. LUNCH break close to Llactapata Ruins. continue our trek thru lush woodlands & fascinating nature... First camp site - reach at 6pm ..Wayllabamba.
9km easy walk.- dinner at camp - spaghetti n avocado,tomatoes served.
parttime porter takeover ....
at 8am started toughest part of Trail. After countless hours of walking, we reached highest point on Inca Trail, Warmiwanusca or commonly called "Dead Woman's Pass" (4218m)!! ha ha ...what a name ! Our guide, Naiomi carries in her backpack a full oxygen tank, first aid kit, coca leaves etc etc and it all came in handy for few of us and much so in particular for one of us ! On this day we walked at yur own pace, some fast some slow.....at end of day we will meet at camp site.
As we ascend to Dead Woman's Pass, it gets extremely cold at the top, immediately we descend to next camp site Pacaymayo.
12km tough walk, had to fight the altitude.- dinner - hot soup, fried chicken ...
Day 3: Pacaymayo - Phuya Patamarka (3600m) - Winay Huayna (2700m)
left camp at 7am.. reached the Inca ruins of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca. Guide explained this is where the King kept his "chosen ladies".
The "chosen ladies of Sayacmarca"...
continued trekking pass another archaeological site Puya Patamarka, usually covered with clouds. Then moved on to Winay Huayna (forever young), near to campsite.
DAY 4 : WINAY HUAYNA - MACHU PICCHU..
The horrendous super steep stone steps just b4 Inti Punku was most unexpectedly scary n tough! however the sweat n tears of the whole trek instantly vanished, offset by the magnificent view of MachuPicchu at Inti Punku or Sun Gate.
view from the Inti Punku.. Finally reached Inti Punku.
"New Wonder of the World"
MACHU PICCHU also known as Quechua or Old Mountain...
the "Room with Three Windows"
dry polished stone walls....interlocking system...
with "The Temple of the Sun" in the background. Takes another 45 mins hike to the top each way.. Gates closed at 1.00pm !
Hundreds of tourist from all over our planet roaming around, some meditate or "lepak" and a few serious archaelogist-wannabe poking at the stone structures.....
wild Llamas wondering in the groundsby 4pm, we reluctantly head for the bus terminal down to Aquas Calientas , then the luxury train to Cusco, where we spent a night at Los Ninos Hotel.
Bus shuttle from MachuPicchu to Aqua Calientas 20min ride - departs every 15mins.
From Aqua Calientas Train departs for Cusco - 3 hr train journey to city train terminal.
Aqua Calientas - small cafe town built with rows of al fresco dining.. uniquely lining both sides of the train tracks. At the Railway Station, especailly for the ladies, please go early cos there is a huge handicraft market where you dont seem to have enough time to spend your money ! ....for once , you wish the train would be late !!
time to share Cusquena beer !!
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