Besides being pleasantly surprised by the overall state of the trail, I was even more pleased to learn there were literally dozens of other highlights along the four-day hike. I had figured that walking into Machu Picchu by way of the Sun Gate would be a great moment, but I did not realize there would be so many other great moments along the way…
Terraced ruins of agricultural sites like Winay Wayna, which provided food for the royal families living at Machu Picchu
Ruins of smaller guard stations along the way, which kept these “royal roads” open to only the most important of travelers
Stone structures that seem to disappear into the clouds
Llamas waiting at the top of Phuyupatamarca (“cloud level town”) to show you views of snow-capped peaks such as Salcantay
Ever-changing vegetation from borderline desert to full-on cloudforest
Some of the best road-building in the ancient world (Whereas the Romans had horses and therefore built flat roads at all cost, the Incas had llamas and built roads to suit their unique ability to climb. So for example, spiral rock staircases beat out long flat switchbacks.)