The Inca Trail

Day 1. We had to get up at 4am this morning and then drive 3 hours to get to the start of the trail.

Some ruins along the way.

After hiking about 5 hours along the trail we came across an enterprising local shop. We were quite suprised to discover that they take credit cards.

The view from our campsite on Day 1. This was the "introductory" day on the trail and had consisted of 2 hours of flat ground and then 4 hours up a moderately steep hill.

Day 2. Today was the killer. It started with a 3 hour hike up a very steep hill to an altitude of 4,200 metres. Not everyone was able to make it. This woman was suffering from altitude sickness, so one of the porters had to carry her up the hill.

At the top of the steepest pass. We had climbed up from the base of the mountain in the middle of the picture.

Looking forward to the 2 hour climb down.

After our 2 hour climb down it was time for lunch. Following lunch was the worst part of the whole trail. A very steep 2 hour climb. We stopped at these ruins on the way to get our breath.

Sayacmarac ruins. These ruins were just an hour from our campsite for the second day. This rock is a huge altar dedicated to the worship of the mountain.