Huayna Picchu Trail going up.

On the Huayna Picchu Trail going down

On the Sun Gate trail.

At the Sun Gate (Intapunta)

Machu Pichu

19 students and parents ventured out this morning on the hike. It has rained on and off all morning, steep and the stairs are not what we are used to. The construction crew hasn't had time to put in the permanent handrail (Peruvian construction joke from Gary Graff). EVERYONE made it to the top and it was more than advertised. You can wait for the rest of that story from the students when they get home.
We had a tour of the proper Machu Pichu area and everyone has had lunch. This afternoon wil be free time to explore or to go on one of the shorter hikes....ironically the sun came out on our hike to Inkapunta, the Sun Gate.
We will eat supper at 7 back in the town site, explore the Machu Pichu town site, board the train at 9:30 and arrive back in Cuzco by 1:30 am.

Early Morning

Wake up call this morning was at 2:30 am for the 20 students and parents that are going to do the hike of Huayna Picchu. This is the mountain peak that is typically behind the Machu Picchu site in the pictures. We need to line up early so we can be in the group of 200 that they let on this trail at 7:00 am. They only let 400 per day on this trail. The other group leaves at 10 but we cannot take this hiking time. The other 6 will join us at 9:30 am.
After our guided tour everyone will have an opportunity to walk on the Intipunku trail (Sun Gate) in the afternoon.
I will try and access the Internet at supper time to update about the day, but no guarantees as we have to check out of our rooms. We do not get back to Cuzco until after 1:00 am. It will be a long day.
Thanks for comments. At the very least we know someone is reading them. I apologize for the odds typing error. I am typing these from my phone.

Machu Picchu