3rd January 2025

We woke just before our alarms both having slept through the night. It was still dark outside as we packed and readied ourselves for the day. Again, we had pancakes and fruit for breakfast before hoisting our packs onto our backs and heading out into the jungle. 

It would be a 24km walk today. Thankfully, the rain had stopped. The first section was a steep incline and we soon warmed up despite the dampness of our clothes from the day before. The path was made of muddy tracks with Inca steps every 2m. Banana trees, small pink orchids, and branches plastered in lichen lined the trail. The air was thick with warm humidity and during the climb we all felt we were swimming in our own sweat.

On our ascent we passed Llactapata, Inca ruins thought to have been an observatory. The remains of stone walls had been reclaimed by the jungle, with plants sprouting from the gaps in the mortar. From here we could see in the distance Machu Picchu, recognisable by its distinctive curved, tired stone walls. It was a brief sighting as the clouds drew cover like the closing of curtains. 

Once at the base of the mountain, we crossed the mud churning river via rope bridge and continued along the Inca Flat to Hydroelectrica. Hydroelectrica is the location where the buses come to and from Cusco to reach Machu Picchu. Old railway tracks sat in place of a road, one side spotted with stalls selling ponchos, drinks and souvenirs. The other side hosted several restaurants, one of which would be ours for lunch.

The path was busy now and we cut across the tracks to follow 10km of a real railway, balancing on the metal rails and hopping across the wooden beams. It shocked me when a train whistle sounded and we had to clear the line, flattening ourselves against the rock face to allow a royal blue old fashioned looking train to plough through the green jungle. It looked so out of place to see something so industrialised in such a wild environment. 

The tracks took us all the way into Aguas Calientes, a pretty mountain town with a river flowing between it, three bridges connecting the two halves and small streets lined with shops and restaurants. We checked into our room and finally got to enjoy a hot shower!

After dinner, a huge downpour of rain occurred. Listening to the rain hammer on the roof and window of our room we crossed our fingers hoping the clouds deplete themselves to give us perfect views of Machu Picchu (spoiler alert: they did!).