Inca trail trek

Raging river - looked like chocolate milk!

start of the Inca Trail

First checkpoint

Here is where I thought, we are really doing this! Then 10 minutes later... I think I've made a serious mistake ;)

Crossing of the raging river

Passing some locals

The intrepid trekkers 

Our first site of ruins

Our group taking a break

Wishing we had this guy to carry our packs

Resting after our lunch

The "Facilities"

First Base Camp

The scenery

the hike explained

Glaciers

taking a much needed breather

Woohoo! We made it to the top of 'Dead Woman's Pass', which is at 13,000 feet

T and our guide, Janeth at the top of the summit

The little yellow dot in the center is T... you can see we had much of the trail to ourselves

Inca ruins in the clouds

The stunning scenery

Our hiking group with the incredible chaskies (porters)

Llamas grazing nearby



Llamas - just another hiker on the trail





We saw many varieties of orchids along the trek

Did we mention the amazing scenery??!!

On cloud nine :)

So. Many. Steps.  We literally climbed thousands stairs!

Our first view of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate! After 4 days, this was a very welcomed site... and it is truly breathtaking.

Exhausted, but so happy to make it to Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu looks even more spectacular when the clouds roll in

We got our passports stamped at each checkpoint along the trail, with the final stamp being from Machu Picchu.

We finally make it all the way down to Machu Picchu!

The precision that went into cutting and placing of these stones is incredible!

This landslide happened a few days before and cut off access to the bus route

After Machu Picchu, we stopped in Aguas Caliente, where the train runs down the middle of the main street!  Very cool little town.

Our trekking group celebrated the completion of our journey with Pisco Sours, the famous Peruvian drink.  Cheers!