Day 4- Machu Piccu

Well, we started hiking at 4:45 am...our guide was sick and couldn´t make the start time...we hoofed it solo, in the dark, dripping from sweat and rain soaked vegetation.  With the headlamps fired up, we made a hastely ascent in about 45 min to the entrance of Machu Piccu. 

Once we were in the park, still foggy out, we took a wrong turn and started up Montaña Machu Piccu...just an additional 2,000 ft ascent to the top...Berk and I made it, but not without sucking wind for an hour and a half.  It was cold, misty, and beautiful at the top.  We had some great glimpses at Machu Piccu ruins. 

We walked around the ruins for a while...then ascended up Waynupiccu...the more famous montain surrounding Machu...1,000ft ascent.  I´m going to let the pictures do the rest of the talking...I´m speechless just uploading these baby´s!

Day 3 Zip Lines and Agua Calientes

 After the massive 28 km hike, the group opted to save a bit of energy and book some zip lines (it cut our hike in half for the day)...it was amazing.  Cruising 150 meters over the valley and river while going some 400 meters length...adrenaline pumping fun!  I managed to snap a few good pics.

After zipping through the inca jungle we set out for a three hour hike along the river and train tracks.  We had amazing wether up until this point, the hike got a little wet from here on out.  We stopped half way at a small outdoor restaurant which served the soup apteizer and followed with a steak dish...looked and smelled really good...I passed on this meal, the stomach was on the frits. Instead, the owners prepared a special tea od freshly  cut Lemon Grass and Mint from right out back of the restaurant. The Jungle pharmacy proved effective...I ate my dinner later that night.

The river was a raging torrent.  It was 2 or 3 times the average capacity and boy could you tell, fierce!  We were soaked and had to fight for a hot shower.  We all met for dinner and we all opted for a 10 soles additional fee to have our own personal pizzas...not bad for being prepared at elevation.  This was just about the time when our guide told us that we would meet in the lobby at 4:20am and start hiking by 4:30...early to bed!