Hiking the Inka trail to Machu Picchu Day 3

Today, we had a later start at 5:30am which almost felt like a lazy lying-in.

Before we started hiking, we were properly introduced to all our porters and chefs – they told us where they were from, what they carried in their bags during the trek and how many times or years they’ve been working on the trek. The youngest one was 19 years old and the oldest was 59 years old. Amazing right?

After that, we started hiking aiming to reach our halfway point as early as possible so that we have time to relax and wait for the rest of the group. We could all feel our legs from yesterday's hike but the walk was enjoyable as we traversed through a mountain cloud forest up and back onto our favourite hilltops.

We also passed through an old Inca tunnel which I thought was very impressive. JP found a small rope plat made by one of the locals of high grass. He told us all about the traditional way of making bridges which comes from the Inka times.

He also described how once a year, the locals would cut the grass that grows at this part of the Andes and then twist and extend it to make ropes. The women twist the grass to make the ropes and the men make the bridge. Apparently, there is one such last bridge left in the area called Q'eswachaka and the rituals of remaking it take place in mid-June.

When we reached the day’s highest point, we paused to catch our breath. And this was only to lose it again, when we took in the breath taking views of mountains, canyons, and the surrounding landscape that were without a doubt spectacular! 

When we had relaxed, we went to a temple called Phuyupatamarca, a circular temple adorned with water fountains. Phuyupatamarca is at 3670 meters and because it's so high up, it's also known as 'The City above the Clouds'. JP said that it often feels like the whole site is floating above the clouds, but when we were there, the sun was shining bright and there was no clouds in the sky. He also explained to us that, scholars debate what Phuyupatamarca actually was, but there is a temple to the sun and several ceremonial fountains on the site. 

After Phuyupatamarca, the landscape around me changed again to more jungly land. As I walked, I focused on this pristine environment which continually changed. After another hour or so of walking, I arrived at the Inca farming terraces called Intipata. Although the quality of Intipata's stonework was not as amazing as the other sites we've seen so far, it was very peaceful. In the end, I waited around two hours for the last people to arrive and because I really enjoyed the tranquillity of being there, I decided to stay with JP even after the rest of our group had left for our campsite.

After a late lunch, we visited our last site before Machu Picchu, called Winay Wayna. Winay Wanya is an old Inca site that in Quechua means “forever young”. In Winya Wina, there is what some scholars think is a temple to the rainbow. You can see it if you look through its windows to the waterfall which is nearby. 

That evening, our amazing chef Andres made us a cake! Can you believe it? How can they cook a cake without an oven you might wonder? We did too of course but I think the answer is they can because they are just amazing!

At the end of the evening, we had one last goodbye ceremony with our porters to say thank you. As a group, we had to nominate someone to give a little speech to the porters and we all selected Ismene to do it. She's talked to so many of them during the first three days that it seemed appropriate for her to give the speech. We gathered all around and Ismene thanked them - in Spanish! - about carrying our things, the amazing food they provided but above all for their big smiles. Big smiles which seemed to get even bigger while she was giving the speech :)

Machu Picchu tomorrow and I really can't wait. But we are getting up at 3am so I really need to get some sleep. Bye for now...

Day 1 and Day 2 adventures on the trek if you missed them.