August 28, 2023

The sunrise on the way to the Sun Gate (Audrey Simonson)

Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate with first light (Audrey Simonson)

Trekkers lined up at the park entrance when it opens (Audrey Simonson)

Today, Machu Picchu trekkers made it to the Sun Gate at sunrise and into the lost city of Machu Picchu. Trekkers awoke early to wait at the park gate to be allowed in first. This early start allowed for the team to reach the Sun Gate as the sun hits Machu Picchu for the first time in the morning.

After touring the city, the team took the shuttle back to Aguas Calientes where they will enjoy a nice dinner and a good night’s sleep at their hotel! Tomorrow the team will return to the city for another tour and to climb the iconic Wayna Picchu before returning to Cusco via the scenic train.

Audrey Simonson

August 27, 2023

Inca Trail map (Audrey Simonson)

The view from the top of Dead Woman’s Pass (Audrey Simonson)

IMG trekkers making their way through the new jungle ecosystem on the Inca Trail (Audrey Simonson)

Yesterday, Machu Picchu trekkers crossed Dead Woman’s Pass and reached their highest point of the trek! Once over the pass, the Inca Trail is primarily made up of cobblestones and can be rugged. Today, trekkers are making their way toward Machu Picchu but are starting to experience new ecosystems and zones with many different plants than the trail prior to Dead Woman’s Pass. The team will camp tonight on their final night of the trail before waking up early to get to the Sun Gate before the sun touches Machu Picchu in the morning!

August 25, 2023

The start of the Inca Trail (Audrey Simonson)

Urabamba River Valley (Audrey Simonson)

Today our Machu Picchu team hit the trail and are on their way to the ancient Inca city. Today the team travelled just a few miles along the Uramamba River until they started up the mountains. Tomorrow, they will take on Dead Woman’s Pass at about 14,000 ft. This pass marks the high point of the trek. While it’s “all downhill” from there, the team still has plenty of trail ahead of them!

All’s well in Peru!

August 23, 2023

Inspecting the Incan stonework at the Coricancha Temple (Tyler Nachand)

Looking out at the city of Cusco from the Coricancha Temple (Tyler Nachand)

The Inca Trail Machu Picchu team at the Coricancha Temple in Cusco (Tyler Nachand)

IMG guides Tyler Nachand and Maximo Henostroza report from Cusco Peru that the entire Inca Trail / Machu Picchu team have now arrived.  Several members had to change their flights due to the big storm this past week that closed the LAX airport, but its great to hear everything worked out.  As we often say, just getting these trips off and running is often one of the biggest challenges.  Now, everyone can relax, enjoy the Peruvian culture and do some acclimatization before they hit the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Cusco is at about 11,000 feet, so it’s important for the team to just take it slow for the first few days.  During the Inca Empire, Cusco was the capital city, so the next two days are a perfect opportunity to visit some of the amazing archeological sites in the area.  Today the team is exploring the City, including a visit to the famous Coricancha Temple.  This was destroyed during the war with the Conquistadores in the 16th century, but has been rebuilt using the remarkable ashlar masonry techniques, with each stone custom cut to fit perfectly together.  Tomorrow the team will travel to the Sacred Valley and visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo.  All’s well in Peru!