We’re reaching the end of our trip and coming to the climactic moments: hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We’ll only spend one day on the trail itself, starting at Km 104, which comprises the final approach, and is about 6.5 miles of hiking.

We had tickets on Inka Rail from Ollantaytambo to our trailhead, literally just a whistle stop in the woods with a jungle bridge leading across the river Urubamba.

From river’s edge, the trail climbed slowly upward until it opened up to offer panoramic views up and down the valley. Ironically, the views were possible mainly due to a fire set by local farmers which burned down the jungle foliage and actually led to the discovery of the previously unknown Inca highway.

Before reaching MP itself, we passed by several satellite settlements, essentially support communities for providing additional food and other resources. The trail passes through one of these, named Winaywayna (“forever young”) named after the orchids that grow in the area. The Incas certainly knew how to settle in spots with spectacular views and work them to best advantage.

As we drew closer to MP, the pavement underfoot showed occasionally showed flagstones of blue serpentine, artfully scattered across the more common white granite. The point where the famous city first comes into view is called Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. Seeing it in person for the first time, even at a distance, seems a bit unreal. The setting amidst soaring cliffs and mountains inspires both wonder and awe.

Over the next hour or so we approached closer, passing shrines to the earth mother along the way, each step revealing a new view to our eyes of the ruins. Our tickets didn’t allow us to enter the ruins today, so we contented ourselves with views from above. We did have the opportunity to see another piece of the site a few minutes walk away. Called Inca Bridge, it is part of the defensive arrangements for the city. The trail to the west hugs a sheer cliff face, and at a point where there is no alternate route a gap has been left to be spanned only by removable wooden beams. Beyond this point the trail has not been restored, and is only visible as a ribbon of overgrown greenery across the sheer face of the cliff.

Returning to the city overlook we took the bus down the winding road to Aguas Calientes for the night. In the morning we will return for more detailed exploration. But lest you doubt whether we were actually there, we include a picture of the kids in front of the classic view you have doubtless already seen.