A Final Note: The Things You Need to Know But Probably Don't Want To

Whenever you travel in another country you must be prepared for the differences in culture and available creature comforts. Not just the trail, but the majority of the small towns and villages we visited had items not too pleasant for the pampered Gringo traveler. 


Of course drinking water from the tap is always a no no. 


TP in the toilets, also a no no. 


Running water in sinks to wash your hands, optional. 


Toilet seats, optional. TP, optional.

This hike was challenging to say the least. The facilities on the trail were unpleasant at best. It is amazing however, that in the middle of nowhere there can be flush toilets and running water at all. Amazing ingenuity. 


Each camp had a few areas of sorta flat pads for the tents we slept in. 


The tents themselves were mostly waterproof.


The altitude will kick your ass no matter how tough you think you are, or how hard you trained. 


The toilets were keyhole squat type that were the most disgusting things you can imagine. Personal hygiene is high priority or you will find yourselves ill with something you totally don't want in the middle of nowhere. 


The only exit off the trail IS the trail.


The Camino Inka was both rewarding and absolutely took every ounce of every fiber of my being to succeed. I knew when we set out to do this hike it would be challenging, but I really had no idea what we were in for. There were times when you just would give up because it was just too damn hard and you had nothing left. There were times of triumph when, after you gave up, something inside pushed you onto the next goal. Even if that goal was just 5 more steps, the next bush or landmark. Bottom line you only ever had two choices from the moment you set foot on the trail, to move forward, no matter how hard it was...or turn back and face the same path as continuing forward. Either way it was going to be hard as hell so suck it up sissy!


Would I do it again? HELL NO! What I saw can't be captured in pics. What I went through cant really be put into words. Let's just say if you ask me about seeing Machu Picchu, if that's really all what you want to do...take the damn train. — with Chris Williams.

Day Four Part 2: The Finale

After about a two hour hike up and down we came to the "Monkey Stairs". A set of stairs that looked more like a wall rather than a stair case. You literally had to climb on all fours or fall over backwards and break your little cabeza. It was about 50 feet tall and composed of uneven rock steps at about a 75 degree incline. At this point the lack of food, tired legs, and lack of sleep really began to pay its toll. It was quite humorous to watch us all climb.


The view from the top of the Monkey Stairs was almost 180 degrees of stunning jungle choked mountains and the last remaining morning mist clinging to the lower trees. The sun was just coming over the peaks of the mountains in the east revealing the lush greenery and the path ahead still clinging to the steep cliff sides.
In about 20 minutes we reached The Sun Gate. The Sun Gate was used to tell the exact day of the summer Equinox. The sun would rise and shine threw these stone pillars onto a certain wall on the Temple of the Sun in Machu Picchu. I found a secluded stone on the edge of this site a released the remaining ashes and Faye will forever be looking down on Machu Picchu and the stunning surrounding mountains.
After photos we set out for the final push to the city of Machu Picchu itself. There were two more stops on the way down to the city perfect for photo ops and closer views of the city from above. Ten more minutes and we finally set foot into the city proper.
Mission accomplished...




— with Chris Williams.