September 4th, 2024
-
- At the Machu Picchu citadel with the rocky peak of Waynapicchu rising behind (Tyler Nachand)
-
- The team at Runkuracay ruin near the second pass (Tyler Nachand)
-
- Looking down on the Winaywayna ruins from near the third campsite (Tyler Nachand)
Yesterday the team traveled the rugged traverse of the ridge and visited the archeological sites of Runkuracay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca en route to the 3rd camp at Winayhuayna (11,930′).
This morning the team was up early with headlamps on the trail, in order to reach the Sun Gate at dawn! Dropping down further they toured the Machu Picchu Citadel, before descending by bus to the hotel in Aguas Calientes (6,724′) for showers, a nice lunch, and some rest. Tomorrow the team will go back up to Machu Picchu to climb the small peak of Waynapicchu (8,835′) in the morning, before they catch the train back to Cusco in the afternoon. Well done team, you survived the Inca Trail!