The Inka Trail runs along the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River between Cusco and the abandoned city of Machu Picchu. We left Cusco at 6am on day 1. We got the bus to the point known as KM 88 crossing the Urubamba river on a footbridge at 2200 m. The first ruin we came across was Llactapata which we observed from a height. Day one was relatively easy (about 14km hike) with and we all got to the first campsite without too much hassle.

Day 2 was a different story and started at 6am with a 2 hour hike up above the tree line to cross the highest of the mountain passes on the trail known as "Dead Woman Pass". We reached 4215 m at this point. The climb is vicious but at the top you can see snow capped mountain for miles and layes of clouds in the valley below. The most amazing part of this climb was actually watching our Chaski´s (porters) running up the mountain with 25 kgs on their backs. We were both panned out carrying 2 kgs each.

From Dead Woman Pass we descended down to a stream called the Río Pacamayo. After that we climbed back up another mountain passing through the ruin of Runkurakay and many Inca tunnels along the way. From this point on the path contains original Inca stones. After passing through a mountain cloud forest we arrived at Sayacmarca, a ruined town overlooking the "broccoli" rainforest and valley below.

We spent night 2 here. We were all pretty shattered after day 2, 16 kms over 2 mountains. This was the highest camping sight and by far the coldest night (-5 c). We finished the day off with some Quecha ghost stories and Machismo tea.

Day 3 was much shorter, mostly through a rainforest. We got to see some amazing looking flowers and I even saw a huming bird. This part of the trail goes through a boggy area on a raised causeway. About 9 km later we reached Wiñay Wayna,which is at the bottom of a long flight of stairs. This was my favourite part of the trail, with a waterfall behind it. This was very near our campsite and we were here for sunset. There were hardly any people here at the time making it magical.

Night 3 saw us have access to a shower and we said goodbye to our Chaski´s. I have to say, these guys are some of the most amazing people Ive ever met. We stayed up late (9.30pm!!!) and some of us even had a fews drinks with our guides Raul and Saul (2 great guys). Day 4 started at 4am and involved a trek downhill through the jungle to the Sungate where we got glimpses of Machu Picchu through the clouds. Its not surprising it wasnt discovered until 1911, not only is there jungle everywhere but the clouds and mist are really dense.

From here it is just a 30 minute hike down to the to of Machu Picchu. You have to see the pictures of this place to know what Im talking about. Its an unbelievable sight looking down on the deserted city just before they open the gates to all the tourists arriving from the nearby town. Down in Machu Picchu itself is slightly disappointing because there are litterally thousands of tourists everywhere but the Inca trail to it has been the highlight of my whole trip so far. One of those experiences that you know youll never forget.