Day One - 10kWe were picked up at 6am from our hostel in Cusco to begin the four day trek along the Inca trail over the Andes to Macchu Pichu. We met our fellow walkers, an Australian couple, Kaz and Aaron; our guide, Ramiro; and our team of porters and the cook. We stopped for breakfast at Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress built into the mountainside where Manco Inca fought the Spanish conquistadors in 1537. We bought some Coca leaves to help with the altitude before heading on to the start of the trail.The trail starts at Piscacucho where we crossed a bridge over the Urubamba river. We then followed the trail along the valley and slowly began to climb. As we walked the guide explained the interesting flora and fauna we could see which included Spanish Moss, bromeliads, cactuses and cochineal. We passed the ruins of the Inca town of Qoriwayrachina. The small settlement had acted as a staging post for the Inca travelling on the trail. We learnt that the Inca's located such settlements at regular intervals along the trail. We then began to climb. Steph and I struggle in the midday heat. After toiling uphill we eventually stopped near a beautiful stream for lunch. The fantastic team of porters brought us something to drink and shortly after, we were seated in a tent and eating a delicious lunch. The food was amazing throughout the trek. Three courses for lunch and dinner, and very tasty. After lunch we walked for another 2-3 hours and passed another Inca site, Patellacta. We eventually made it to our first camp site, Wayllabamba at 2,840 meters above sea level (masl). The campsite was on the edge of the mountain with views back down the valley and up towards Dead Woman's Pass, which we had to cross the next day. After another delicious three course meal Ramiro held a little ceremony to introduce us all to the team of porters and the chef. They were all Quechua-speakers, which was really nice to hear. Steph and I didn't know any Quechua apart from 'thank you' ('Surpikewee') and 'my name is' ('Suteemi'). We tried to learn some during the rest of the trail but it was very hard as it bears no resemblance to any European languages.Day Two - 9kThis was by far the most physically challenging day. We set off at 6am and began the walk to Dead Woman's Pass aka Warmiwañuska. This involved a climb from 2,840 masl to the pass at 4,215 masl. After neary 4 hours, we finally made it. We were elated and oxygen starved in equal measure. After a short break it was time to begin the steep climb down to the second camp Pacaymayu. I should say that throughout our time walking the trail, we saw many porters loaded with huge packs containing the tents, cooking equipment, chairs, tables, food etc for the many groups walking the trail. The porters were very fit and walked at an incredible pace which put us to shame. It was especially impressive watching them go downhill. We were taking the large and uneven Inca steps one at a time and balancing ourselves using our walking poles. Not so the porters who didn't pause at all; some even ran down the steps. Show offs.After descending 400 meters, we made camp early in the afternoon. We were rewarded with more lovely food and a beautiful view from our tent. Day Three - 16kOur guide had sold this day as 'more or less flat', by which he meant that we climbed 400m over another mountain pass before descending, and then climbing up to another pass in the mountains. Despite the toughness of the walk, this was the best day so far. The scenery was beautiful and there were many more Inca sites to see and explore. We saw the beautiful ruins of Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Conchamarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipata and Wiñaywayna. Huge rocks constructions clinging to the mountainsides. We also saw a Chinchilla named Kevin. Whilst visiting the Inca ruins Ramiro told us about the Inca religion (which he follows) and how the Inca sculpted the mountains and rock to create aqueducts, temples and astronomical observation points. We also learnt about the Inca messengers (Chuskees) trained from a young age to run in relays along the mountain trails and deliver news very quickly across the empire.We made it to the last camp in the early afternoon and crashed out after more nice food.Day Four - 6kThe day started at 3am. We walked under headlamps to the entrance to the final section of the trail. We are the first to arrive and we sit in darkness waiting for the trail to open at 5.30am. As we sit in the darkness our guide plays 80s hits from his phone. It is a bit surreal. As the gates open the sky has lightened. We walk along a beautiful and, in places, very exposed section of the trail. We walk quickly to get to Macchu Pichu before the sun rises and to stay ahead of the other groups. After about 45 minutes we reach a very steep stone staircase which we scramble up on all fours. At the top, Macchu Pichu appears below us about a mile away. The sun is just lighting up the distant mountain tops. We are at Intipunku, the Sun Gate, so called because from Macchu Pichu the sun rises through this gate on the solstice, marking the start of the Inca year.Elated and relieved, we begin the walk down to Macchu Pichu, which means 'Old Peak' in Quechua. Whilst Macchu Pichu is beautiful, the beauty of it is only enhanced by the fact that we've walked there over the past three days.Our guide Ramiro gives us a tour of the site. Highlights include the water channels running through the site, the Condor temple and the rocks carved to match the surrounding mountains the Incas worshipped ('Apus').After the tour we have free time to enjoy the site. We then head back down to Agua Calientes for a much needed cold beer. We learn that Kaz and Aaron got engaged at Macchu Pichu, which calls for another beer or two before we begin the long journey by bus and train back to Cusco. In summary: awesome. ~Chris