So the day is finally here, the day ive been looking forward to for soon long, the day we set off for the sacred Inca Trail. And not even a runny bum will dampen my feelings. So after a briefing the night before about the history of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, and the do's and dont of completing the sacred trail, and warnings on how hard it is going to be, we all were all buzzing with excitement and trepidation. So we set off early headed toward the little town we will be staying at for only one night before we embark on the 4 day, 3 night hike. On the way we stopped at Sacsayhuaman (nicknamed as sexywoman as its easy to remember), which is an ancient archaelogical site that overlooks Cusco. Then we visited a local town that had an amazing indian market selling at types of artifacts, the best of all was the great silver jewellery, and all so cheap. Next stop was the Sacred Valley, where we walked around the Pisac ruins perched on the hill high in the mountains. Then onto the quaint village of Ollantaytamboo where we are spending just 1 night in the homes of local familes before we set off for the 4 days 3 night hike the following day. So the day is here, oh my god, the day we set off with our small daypack on the sacred Inca Trail. My heart was in my mouth and my bottom was still dropping out, as we set off for the 4 days and 3 nights hike. Id heard mixed things about the level of difficulty of the Inca Trail, some say it was so hard and they really struggle to complete it, other said it was difficult but not too difficult, but the resounding belief was that it was a once in a life time experience, despite being difficult it was well worth it. So my expectatoin are high, and I was not disappointed..... We set off, carrying our small 5 kg daypacks, taking only the bare minimal, mainly waterproofs and water, as we have hired porters who were to carry all of our camping and cooking equipement. The porters were amazing as they not only carried our camping and cooking stuff (cant imagine how heavy it must have been, makes you feel really guilty actually) but they set up our camps for us and cook our food and basically treat us like kings and queen. So we set off on the first day of the hike, and the walk is relatively easy to start off with, just a 4 1/2 hour hike covering 10km, which has spectacular views. So after stopping for a three course meal at the halfway point, which you eat because it is so good and as you need it for energy to complete the days hike, but such big, heart meal mades you so full and you dont want to hike anymore and sits heavy in your stomach, so its a double edged sword. And the second half of the day was all up hill and it seem to take forever to get to the camp site. But when you arrive at the camp site everything is already set up for you and the food it already being cooked for you. And what a feast it is, three course banquet fit for a king-just what you need after a hard days hike, mainly up hill. And as the next day is the hardest of all the day, where we tackle the notorious 'death woman 's pass' we had to keep our energy up. So we were all in bed early hoping for a goodnight sleep to make sure we were all in fit state for the next day...shake, shake!!!! We were all woken up at 6am and called to a banquet of a breakfast, again I eat too much again and struggled to digest it as we set off o the hardest of all the day, basically all up STEEP hill, and when I say steep, I mean STEEP, which we hiked up for 4 1/2 hrs covering 8km to the highest pass Warmiwanusca, which translates to 'dead woman's pass' and its called that for a reason as it is SO STEEP and long and soooo many steps that your legs feel like they are made of lead and that they are going to drop off and its is sooo high, the highest pass is 4,200m, which makes the hike all the more difficult as it mades your heart feel like its gonna pop out of your mouth and your lungs are going to burst. But it is all worth while for the spectaculate views which are just awe inspiring. The second part of the day is all down hill, which sounds easy but after the 2000 steep step down, your knees start to hurt and your legs feel like they are jelly and are gonna give out on you, thank god that I bought a walking stick as it would be a killer otherwise. So arrived at camp after a long 7 hr hike, covering 12km with my legs that felt like jelly and with a ragging hunger, so eat till I nearly popped that night. The third day we set off on our 7 hr, 15 km hike, the first part all up hill the second part all downhill, which takes its toll on your legs. We visited the sacred ruins of Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca and leant about the importance of them, whilst taking a well needed rest. We finally arrived at the last campsite and after a huge meal and a few well deserved beers hit the sack early, despite there being a disco going on and there being sooo many hotties there. By the way ladies, there are alot of Argentineans men here and oh my god they are all soooo good looking, cant wait to go to Argentina.... So far the weather has been on our side as it has been perfect weather to walk in as there has been a cold breeze when needed and slight rain when needed aswell. And beautiful clear skies at night with a host of star. However, on the morning of the 4th day, the last day and final day, the day we hike to the sacred Machu Picchu, there was heavy fog. We woke up at 4am to get to the sacred site as soon as it opened, before all the crowds got there, to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. We got there in perfect time to watch the sunrise, however, the heavy fog made it difficult to see Machu Picchu from the lookout point at the top of the hill, so we made our way down the trail to the ruins to walk around and learn about they significance. The site is breathtaking, so much vaster than I very imagined and so awe inspiring. Definately the highlight of my travels so far. And it made it so much more with the knowledge and pride that I had completed the 4 day, 3 night hike to get to this sacred place. So everyone spirits were high, despite being exhausted after the long, hard hike. So after a few hours strolling around the sacred site, we were offered the chance to climb the 1 hr hike up the nose of the mountain, which I declined, so we made your way into the town below and soaked our aching bones in the hot spring at Aguas Calientes. And enjoyed a few well deserved cold beers-perfect! But what an experience! Something I will never forget and am so pleased and proud to have done it as it was difficult but the scenery and lost city made it all worth while. So if anyone is thinking about completing the Inca Trial, I say GO FOR IT as it is an awesome, unforgetable experience. And those of you how may for some reason or other are not be able to complete the 4 day, 3 night hike then there is a train which takes you all to way to the sacred Machu Picchu lost city. Go on DO IT.......