Chris, Court, Tom, DG, Peter, Penny, Dean, Ann, Rich above Nancy, Dan above Liz, Kit, Michael, Marilyn, Kris
The first section of trail was “Peru flat” (“not Holland flat,” clarified Santiago) along the Rio Urubamba
The photogenic Llactapata ruins cover the valley floor below a trail junction overlook.
Straight ahead and to the right winds the first day's hike along the classic trail to Machu Picchu
We had hot lunches and were offered 3000 calories every day on the trail!
Camp sites doubled as lunch stops and sales opportunities for the locals.
Wayllabamba campsite for our first night was decorated by the national flower of Peru
Friendly and hard-working porters ensured a “luxury camping” experience for their customers!
The 4-day Classic Inca Trail hiking route, including altitudes in meters
Christopher was sun hungry during a Day 2 break
Nancy kept her glorioius smile and ever-cheerful demeanor, even on our hardest trekking day!
Looking back the way we came
Our porters made the uphhills look easy, and trotted past us going downhill--in sandals!
Stones placed half a century ago still lie flat; restored sections of the trails are rougher.
Dan forges on toward our 14,000 foot pass.
Turning back, we see a good omen for achiving the summit!
Dan and Liz catching our breath atop Warmihuanyusca, Dead Woman's Pass, at 14,000 feet.
Michael starts down from Warmihuanyusca Pass. Hiking poles save the knees for the stair-step descent of 2000 feet.
Looking ahead towards camp, down the Inca Trail from Dead Woman's Pass.
Zephyr guide Kris, Michael, and others on the long descent to Pacamayo camp (11880 feet).
Chris likes to get off the beaten path. Behind him is Dead Woman's Pass from whence we came.
This small terrace seems an ideal spot for resting while carrying the Inca on a litter!
A water closet is a luxury when camping, especially with a sit-down seat!
Some trekkers and crews got an early start for Day 3, which left a near-empty trail for our group.
Two client duffel bags per porter, weighed daily to be sure packs do not exceed legal maximum!
The Incas got around sheer drops by building bridges against the mountainside cliffs.
The lentil stone strengthens window tops and doorways in Inca structures
Looking down at last night's campsite from above the Runkuraqay ruins
Peruvians honor and show respect to the spirits of high places. This pass was at 13,000 feet.
Descending toward the Cloud Forest canyon and Sayaqmarka ruins watching over it.
Ruins in the cloud forest as seen from Sayqamarka ruin above
Sayaqmarka view of our lunch campsite across the canyon
Sayaqmarka sits on a promontory 600 feet above the Inca Trail, seen to the left
Ruins to the right of me, ruins to the left of me!
It's a jungle out there.
Dan always keeps his video camera in the ready position. Don't drop it over the edge!
The Incas build retaining walls as needed to accommodate their vast trail network.
Inca engineering always started with existing geologic formations.
Deep in the cloud forest, a shaft of sunlight reaches the earth.
Cloud forest textures and colors inspire reproduction in Peruvian textiles
Inca masonry at Phuyupatamarca ruins, sturdy in the face of Peru's many earthquakes
Exploring the ruins at Phuyupatamarca, a steep hike down from our Day 3 campsite
Dan contemplating the universe
Shapely Phuyupatamarca ruins
Overlooking the Urubamba River from our Phuyupatamarca campsite
Sunrise over the Peruvian alps
Phuyupatamarca's regal backdrop as the sun rises on Day 4 of our trek
Hot beverages to warm an alpine sunrise, delivered by our porters
Morning sun hits the distant slopes
Liz and Dan above the Phuyupatamarca campsite and Inca ruins
Phuyupatamarca campsite on the Inca Trail
On the left, our room with a view -- of the dining tent, too!
Almost ready for another hot breakfast on the trail
Daily ration of Coca tea. We drank tons of it and never ran out!
The porters were grateful for our gifts and tips and also Christopher's great personality
The wedding cake ruin, one last photo of Phuyupatamarca.
Apumayo guide Ruben; we practiced Spanish/English on each other
Winaywayna ruins and waterfall
Looking up the wall of terraces at Winaywayna
Looking down Winaywayna is a whole different view
Ramon and Tom at Winaywayna ruins. Ceremonial fountains stack left of the steps
Winaywayna ruins, looking up
Inca masonry seams at Winaywayna
Inca warriors at Winaywayna!
Dan records how our fellow trekkers scamble up the steepest Inca steps yet
Penny, Marilyn and Kit, resting at the Sun Gate above the switchbacks descending to the Urubamba River valley
Finally, our first glimpses of Machu Picchu from the trail
Showers and clean sheets await us far below in Aguas Calientas on the Rio Urubamba
