The day is sunny and warms up quickly as we make our way back down to breakfast. This morning we will dine al fresco for our last breakfast on the trail. In the distance we can see another group of porters coming in to make camp for a meal. Eddie tells us they will make their final camp at Wiñay Wayna and then get up in the middle of the night for their final hike to Machu Picchu for the sunrise. We all agree we much prefer the pace of the 5- day -4 night and camping at this incredible site for our last night on the trail.

After breakfast we have the ceremony to thank the chef and the porters for their services and to give them their tips. From here on out we will only have the chef and 2 porters with us for the hike into Machu Picchu. The rest of the porters will go down an alternate trail to catch the local train back to Ollantaytambo and home. You can hear the excitement in their voices as they are talking and laughing while packing up the site, eager to get home.

We say goodbye, take off and now we descend the more tropical side of the mountain range. We hike down to Phuyupatamarka and it is clouded in but beautiful. This archaeological site also features the sacred cascading baths found at other sites once used long ago by the nobles.

We hike down steep steps that wind down the mountainside and are covered from above with masses of thick growth. The steps can only be taken by walking sideways, they are so steep and it is wet so we've got to take it slowly. Flowers and orchids start appearing in huge numbers and soon we are “the orchid paparazzi” as someone put it, snapping away, picture after picture before Eddie brings it to our attention that we must stay on schedule. But they are just so beautiful, orchids of every shape and size!

 

We hike for 3.5 hours, through the ever-changing cloud forest breaking for a rest and snack. We reach the second tunnel before coming to the Intipata. It is just as fantastic as the previous tunnel and just as steep! At this point in the forest we are at about 9,300 ft.

An Inca stairway partially cut from living granite finally delivers us to Wiñay Wayna, the largest and most impressive site before Machu Picchu, which was discovered in 1941. Built on the steepest hillsides, with many buildings, terraces and sacred fountains, this site is concave, meant for sun worship. The sacred ritual baths are still flowing today as they are in all of the sites. Since it's raining, we decide to go for lunch and come back to the ruins after. We move on to the next campsite beyond Wiñay Wayna. There is a building here built for research workers that is now used as a dining area. You can also get a cold beer here!!! The building has bathrooms and there are tent sites nearby. We break for lunch and a beer and we also say goodbye to Quintin, our chef, and Julian, who has served us so graciously for the past few days. I've never camped in such a manner and it was quite fine to be met each morning with tea and served our meals high up in Andes. I can't say enough about their services on the trail. They were all fantastic! Soon after, we travel back for a site lecture at Wiñay Wayna archaeological site.

One of the most special orchids on the trail, Wakani Orchid, Masdevalia veitchiana, in Quechua means "you will weep," from an ancient Inca story.

As we near the exit I notice everyone looking back, again and again at the site of Machu Picchu devoid of any humans! Then I realize that I may never see this again....

Out of the park we are all smiles as we wait for the last bus to arrive that will take us down to Aguas Calientes and we celebrate with a hug!