Days 6 & 7 — The Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
There are places you visit, places you enjoy, and then there are places you have to work a little harder to reach.
Machu Picchu was definitely the latter!
After several days exploring Lima and the Sacred Valley, we were finally ready for perhaps the most anticipated part of our Peru adventure—the **Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu**.
We had chosen the two-day Short Inca Trail, which combines a day of hiking along ancient Inca pathways with a visit to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. Unlike the traditional four-day trek, this route offers a taste of the original Inca Trail without having to camp overnight in the mountains.
And what a taste it turned out to be!
Day 6 — Following the Footsteps of the Incas - An Early Start and a Train Ride Through the Andes
Our adventure began with an early morning train ride aboard the **PeruRail Vistadome**, winding through the dramatic Urubamba River valley toward Machu Picchu.
The train itself was quite an experience. Large panoramic windows offered spectacular views of the mountains towering above us, while the tracks followed the rushing Urubamba River through an ever-changing landscape.
As we descended into the valley, the scenery gradually transformed. The relatively bare Andean mountains gave way to dense green vegetation, steep forested slopes, and clouds clinging to the mountain peaks.
Along the way, we passed local residents working in their terraced fields, often dressed in traditional Andean clothing—bright reds, intricate woven patterns, and colorful hats. A lovely reminder that the traditions we had been learning about were still very much alive.
We also caught glimpses of the powerful Urubamba River rushing through narrow mountain gorges. This river system helps generate hydroelectric power for southern Peru, including at the Machu Picchu Hydroelectric Plant. Looking at the sheer force of the water, it wasn't difficult to understand why the region was chosen for hydroelectric generation.
Unlike most passengers heading directly to Machu Picchu, we got off at **Km 104**, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail.
This was where our leisurely sightseeing officially ended and the hiking began!
Km 104 — Let the Adventure Begin!
The Short Inca Trail starts at approximately **7,200 feet above sea level**, near the Urubamba River. From here, the route climbs through subtropical cloud forests, past ancient Inca ruins, and eventually reaches the famous Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu.
The hike covers approximately **12 kilometers (7.5 miles)**, typically taking around six to seven hours, depending on your pace, with significant elevation gain and, as we would soon discover, an astonishing number of stone steps.
After crossing the river and completing the trail checkpoint formalities, we began our climb.
The trail was beautiful from the very beginning. Towering mountains surrounded us, the Urubamba River roared far below, and wisps of cloud drifted through the valleys.
But the beauty came with a price.
The Incas apparently had a great fondness for stairs!
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And not the evenly spaced, predictable stairs we are accustomed to. These were ancient stone steps—some narrow, some steep, some uneven, and many made slippery by the occasional drizzle and damp mountain weather.
Every time we thought we had conquered the last staircase, another one appeared around the corner.
Into the Cloud Forest
As we climbed higher, the landscape became increasingly lush.
We walked through dense vegetation, moss-covered rocks, ferns, and trees draped with delicate strands of moss. Clouds floated in and out of the mountains, sometimes revealing dramatic views of the valley and sometimes wrapping everything in a blanket of mist.
It was easy to understand why this region is called a cloud forest.
The trail itself was fascinating. Much of the route follows pathways originally built by the Incas more than 500 years ago, connecting settlements, agricultural terraces, and ceremonial centers across their vast empire.
Imagine building these stone pathways through such rugged mountains without modern machinery! And imagine pilgrims traveling from distant settlements to sacred sites, navigating this difficult terrain while carrying food, offerings, and gifts.
Then imagine Inca messengers and travelers climbing these same steps regularly, carrying supplies and messages between settlements.
We were struggling with our lightweight backpacks, hiking poles, frequent water breaks, and modern hiking shoes. **The Incas certainly had our respect!**
A Welcome Lunch Break
By midday, we were more than ready for a break.
One of the simple pleasures of the hike was sitting down at a sheltered rest stop, surrounded by fellow trekkers, and enjoying a much-needed lunch.
Nothing fancy—just a packed meal carried by a porter, a chance to rest our legs, and the satisfaction of knowing we had already covered a good portion of the trail.
There is something about eating after several hours of hiking that makes even the simplest food taste wonderful.
Of course, we still had plenty of climbing ahead!
Wiñay Wayna — Forever Young 
Wiñay Wayna
One of the highlights of the Short Inca Trail is **Wiñay Wayna**, an extraordinary Inca archaeological site perched on a steep mountainside.
The name means *Forever Young* in Quechua, an Indigenous Andean language spoken during the Inca Empire and still widely spoken in Peru today. The site takes its name from an orchid found in the region.
Wiñay Wayna is famous for its sweeping agricultural terraces, stone buildings, and ceremonial structures that seem to cling almost impossibly to the mountainside.
Unlike Machu Picchu, which attracts thousands of visitors, Wiñay Wayna feels more secluded, particularly after making the effort to reach it on foot.
Standing among these ruins, surrounded by mist-covered mountains and dense forests, we couldn't help wondering how the Incas managed to construct such elaborate settlements in terrain that is difficult enough simply to walk through.
The precision of the stonework, sophisticated drainage systems, steep staircases, and agricultural terraces are remarkable.
And once again, we were reminded that the Incas didn't try to conquer the landscape. They learned to build with it.
The Final Climb — And Those Stairs!
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| Monkey Steps |
But before reaching the gate, there is one final challenge.
A particularly steep flight of stone steps, sometimes called the Monkey Steps or Gringo Killer Steps!
These are not ordinary stairs. The steps are so high and steep that hikers often use both hands and feet to climb them—hence the nickname *Monkey Steps*.
Looking at our photographs, you can see exactly what I mean. We were practically scrambling up the stones, holding onto whatever we could for balance.
At that point, elegance was no longer a consideration. Getting to the top was the only objective!
And somehow, after hours of climbing, we made it.
The Sun Gate — Our First Glimpse of Machu Picchu
The Sun Gate sits high above Machu Picchu, at approximately **8,900 feet**, and historically served as an important entrance to the sacred city.
For hikers on the Inca Trail, reaching this point is particularly special. Rather than arriving by bus at the main entrance, you approach Machu Picchu along the same mountain pathways used by the Incas centuries ago.
After hours of hiking through forests, clouds, and mountains, we had finally reached the moment we had been waiting for—our first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
Except there was one small problem. We couldn't see a thing!
When we arrived at the Sun Gate, the entire valley was covered in thick white clouds. Somewhere beneath that blanket of mist was the magnificent Inca citadel we had worked so hard to reach.
We were told to be patient. Wait ten minutes, and the clouds might clear.
And sure enough, the clouds began to shift, slowly revealing glimpses of the ancient city nestled between towering green peaks.
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What a sight!
There it was—an architectural marvel perched dramatically on a mountain ridge, its stone terraces and buildings emerging through the drifting clouds.
There is something incredibly empowering about reaching a destination like this on foot. It wasn't just the six hours of hiking that brought us here. It was also the weeks of preparation back home—local hikes, cardio workouts, and training to build the stamina needed for hiking at altitude.
Standing there, looking down at Machu Picchu, every bit of that preparation suddenly felt worthwhile.
**It wasn't just about seeing the place. It was about the journey that brought us there.**
And we weren't quite finished yet!
From the Sun Gate, we still had roughly another hour of descent along ancient, sometimes slippery stone pathways before reaching the panoramic viewpoints overlooking Machu Picchu.
After taking in the spectacular views and, of course, plenty of photographs, we finally headed down toward **Aguas Calientes**, the small town at the base of Machu Picchu.
A hot shower, a good meal, and a comfortable bed had never sounded more appealing!
Tomorrow, we would return to explore the ancient city itself.
Day 7 — Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas
After the previous day's adventure, it was finally time to explore **Machu Picchu** itself.
Perched high on a mountain ridge at approximately **7,970 feet above sea level**, Machu Picchu is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world.
Built in the 15th century during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti, it is believed to have served as a royal estate and ceremonial center.
Although known to local communities, Machu Picchu remained largely unknown internationally until American explorer **Hiram Bingham brought it to worldwide attention in 1911**.
Today, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
But no amount of reading or looking at photographs quite prepares you for seeing this magnificent place in person.
A City Built Among the Clouds
What strikes you first is the setting.
Machu Picchu is surrounded by towering green mountains, with the Urubamba River winding through the deep valley far below.
And then there is the city itself.
Stone houses, temples, plazas, staircases, and agricultural terraces seem to emerge naturally from the mountainside.
There are no towering monuments or elaborate decorative facades. Instead, the beauty lies in the simplicity and extraordinary precision of the construction.
Massive stones were carefully shaped and fitted together without mortar, creating walls that have survived centuries of earthquakes, rain, and weather.
The Incas were masters of engineering, astronomy, agriculture, and water management.
They built terraces to stabilize the steep slopes, drainage systems to manage the heavy rainfall, and channels to bring fresh water through the settlement.
What is perhaps most remarkable is that all of this was accomplished without iron tools, wheeled transport, or modern construction equipment.
More Than Just Ancient Ruins
Walking through Machu Picchu, you begin to appreciate that this was not simply a collection of buildings on a mountaintop.
It was a carefully planned settlement, with agricultural areas, residential quarters, ceremonial spaces, and structures aligned with important astronomical events.
The Incas had an extraordinary understanding of their natural environment.
The mountains were sacred, the sun played a central role in their spiritual beliefs, and the changing seasons guided agricultural life.
Even the placement of certain buildings reflects this deep connection between architecture, astronomy, and nature.
It is fascinating to think that a civilization capable of such sophisticated engineering left behind relatively no written records in the conventional sense.
So much of what we know today comes from archaeology, oral traditions, and the remarkable structures that have survived.
And perhaps that is part of Machu Picchu's enduring mystery.
Was the Hike Worth It?
Absolutely. Hiking the ancient trail gave us a completely different appreciation for the site.
We had walked through the cloud forest, climbed the endless stone staircases, passed centuries-old ruins, and experienced firsthand the dramatic geography that shaped Inca civilization.
By the time we reached Machu Picchu, it felt less like arriving at a tourist attraction and more like completing a journey.
**The destination was magnificent, but the experience of getting there made it unforgettable.**
After all, some of the best travel memories aren't made when everything is easy and comfortable. They come from challenging yourself, stepping a little outside your comfort zone, and discovering that you are capable of more than you thought.
**Machu Picchu was certainly one of those experiences for us.**
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