Every day up until this day started around 5:30am-6:00am with a rattling of our tents and a cup of hot coca tea. This morning, however, started at 3:00am with other groups up and at it. I slept restlessly due to the mixture of excitement, for being so close to our destination, and anxiety, knowing we had to be up way too early.

The camp that we stayed at on the last night was occupied by all of the hiking groups. This was the last area before the final control station that opened up at 5:30am and let people through to Machu Picchu. Some groups got up super early to stand in line for the control to open, so the campsite was bustling with noise at the early 3:00am hour.

We didn’t have to wait that long in line before we had our documents checked for the last time at the last control and we were on our way to our final destination. The trail was really packed with other groups at first, but eventually it thinned out.

I knew this day was only going to be 7KM (3-4 miles) so I could care less how many more stairs were waiting for me up ahead. I was honestly more excited about seeing all the orchids and exotic flowers that were waiting for me to gawk at. So those easily kept me distracted. During the months of December and January, this part of the hike is covered in colorful flowers that I have only seen in books. But I was happy with what I did get to see in the wild.

For the most part, the trail was a variation of down, up and flat. As we approached the end of the trail, we reached a set of 50 stairs that our guide described as monkey stairs. They were beyond steep and you had to literally crawl up with your hands. I loved it. Something about getting your hands dirty and using your whole body to get up to the top makes it that much more rewarding.

As we sat at the top and caught our breath, we were face to face with the back of Machu Picchu. We were so close that we didn’t waste too much time to take a break. It was only another 15 minutes until we reached the Sun Gate. The last set of stairs leading up to the entrance of the Sun Gate were tall, but knowing what was at the top motivated my body to go into full speed ahead.

At the top of the stairs and into the opening of the Sun Gate room, people blocked the immediate view. I truly had no idea what I was even going to be looking at from this height, but I knew it was something special by the amount of people standing and looking off into the distance. I swiveled my way through the crowd to a little nook and had the whole scene to myself.

And just like that, I had arrived. I was in shock. The destination I had been relentlessly pounding the pavement for the last three days was within arms reach. I felt as though I was in a trance. I didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t want to move. I just looked ahead in disbelief that I not only made it, but the journey I had been planning and training for day in and day out was coming close to an end. More than anything, I could not believe how lucky we got with the weather. The previous day had been so miserable that I had geared myself up for another day of low hanging clouds and cold rain. I swore the Inka Sun Gods came out and showed their appreciation for all the hard work our team put in and blessed us with literally the most perfect weather we had the whole trip.

After what felt like forever, but also not long enough, it was time to make our way down into the city of Machu Picchu. It took us about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the entrance. The city was so unreal to look at. The science and technology the Inka people used in the 1500’s to build this mysterious city is mind blowing even in today’s world. For instance, Machu Picchu is surrounded by a few different mountains. To know what day of the year it was (Summer solstice, Winter Solstice, or the Equinox) they gauged the sun light from the peak of the mountains and it’s shadows through window of one the buildings.

We walked around the city for about an hour and a half. My state of mind was all over the place. I was excited to be standing in one of the worlds most mysterious sites, but I was also exhausted. On top of that, I started to get bitter towards the people who were walking all around, freshly showered with clean clothes and smiling faces. It was insulting to those of us who spent countless hours walking up an infinite amount of stairs to get to this place, while these other people took a bus up to the top. No matter, the destination and view meant everything to those of us that put in the work, and that’s what counts the most.

If you are ever considering hiking the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu, I would push you to do it as soon as possible. The trekking group, Wayki Trek, was truly one of a kind and they come HIGHLY recommended. Make sure you ask for Franklin as your guide.

All in all, a giant shoutout is deserved to the bad ass group that made this journey possible. We all went into this hike with different experience levels, yet we all crossed the finish line together. Thank you for putting up with my constant hunger (which was quite literally the whole time) and motivating me when it was cold and wet. WAYKI