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Peru: Sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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by: Nate
This journal is co-created by Nate and Michele. We planned our trip to Peru over Thanksgiving 2011 to celebrate our 1-year wedding anniversary and it was truly magical. We share a passion for travel and seek destinations that are both off the beaten path and which offer a winning combination of great food, beautiful scenery, adventure and amazing people. Peru did not disappoint.

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Peru: Sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Want to go? Machu Picchu Pilgrimage

I went to: Peru, Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Inca Trail Day 1: Huayllabamba, Inca Trail Day 2: Pacaymayo, Inca Trail Day 3: Phuyupatamarca, Machu Picchu Ruins
Lima: Miraflores coastLima: First clear view of Pacific OceanLima: Outdoor Miraflores gymLima: Illuminated crossAdmiring the Lima nighttime coastlineLima: Al fresco kitchen at first dinnerCusco: Plaza de ArmasClouds above CuscoCusco: Windows perfectly aligned Cusco: A marriage of Spanish and IncaInca walls and road in CuscoCusco Market1000 feet above CuscoLlamas and alpacas at SacsawaymanPuma pawPeruvian woman with potato snacksTambochayStreet in Chinchero Inca terraces in ChincheroCathedral of the Sacred Virgin in ChincheroChinchero: Wool dyeing demonstrationVoila - from white to red and greenWeaving demonstrationOn our way to lunchSacred Valley terrainCactus flowerLunch spot in the valleyLooking down on Maras Salt TerracesMaras Salt TerracesMaras Salt TerracesEvaporation in processSalt harvestPile of saltMoray GreenhouseStairs carved in the wall at MorayMoray VistaOllantaytamboTemple at OllantaytamboPath from quarry to OllantaytamboUnfinished stone on way to placement at OllantaytamboTemple door at OllantaytamboAlberto, Michele, Nate, VidalStart of the trailDay 1 TrekDay 1 Trek: What a view Day 2 Trek: Changing landscapesHeading up to Dead Womans PassLooking back at the path up to Dead Womans PassHeading down to camp from Dead Womans PassTrail foliageDay 3 Trek: SayaqmarkaDay 3 Trek: View from SayaqmarkaOrchids on the trailPosing on the trailIm a specimenDay 3 Trek: Entering Cloud Forest pathHiking through misty cloudsCloud forest foliageCloud forest fernExotic mossesQuit rushing meDay 3 Trek: Clouds dropping down for the nightSettling in for a night above the cloudsMicheles emergency bathroomVidal and the llamas admire the viewSnow-cap emergingTaking it inSunset above the cloudsEasing into the morningDay 4 trek: Breakfast al fresco above the cloudsBest porters and cook in Peru!Day 4 Trek: First stop of day Easier than going up?Even with the cloudsCave on the trailTrail plantsIntipataView from IntipataMore stairsWinaywayna: Last site before Machu PicchuHow did they get it so concentric?Looking out over the valleyWindow with a viewFinal push to the Sun GateWE MADE ITMachu Picchu from the Sun GateMachu Picchu guard houseMain gate to Machu PicchuAfter the rain stoppedClouds burning offStone variations at Machu PicchuTemple of the Sun above the riverVarious qualities of stoneDay 2 at Machu Picchu: First ones inMorning at Machu PicchuAmazing stone workRoyal area vs. common areaStone carved to mirror mountainSee the fault line?Perfect linesHowd they carve those curves?Machu PicchuTired llamas at Machu PicchuFriendly crittersClassic photo with Huayna Picchu in backgroundHuaynu Picchu - way up thereWorth the climb up Huayna PicchuMachu Picchu from Huayna PicchuAnd theres more we cant seeSaying goodbye - this view never gets oldFinal lunch in Aguas CalientesHeading back to Cusco: Variations in lightingTrain picture windowOur last group photoHeading back to Cusco: A final panoramaShe sold me this hatDogs of PeruNot for sale

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