The hike to the peak of Huayna Picchu is not for the faint of heart: the trail is a switchback built by the Inca. Incredibly steep and narrow stairs, at times dropping sharply off the side of the mountain, make up the majority of the hike. There’s hardly any signage, nor is it staffed by park guides to direct hikers. This led me to summit the mountain via the back – an alternative route more suitable for mountain goats than the timid lost hiker. But as the saying goes, "one mountain, many paths," and so I managed to reach the summit of Huayna Picchu despite the detour.

Standing 1,000 feet above Machu Picchu, I felt awe viewing the expanse of the ruins.

This photo was taken after my return from the hike, while I was resting in the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. I snapped this shot in an attempt to scale down my experience of the ruins, focusing on the details of the buildings in juxtaposition with the birds-eye view I had just witnessed.

Paloma Bone

Program Manager, Holbrook Travel

Peru | Majesty and Mystery: Ancient Civilization of Peru (Road Scholar)