Superiority at Machu Picchu

It’s a three day hike from the Inca Trail’s starting point to Machu Picchu.  Three days of tramping along narrow trails in amongst the lush green Andean vegetation alongside the raging brown Urubamba River.  Of Steep climbs at high altitude passing numerous historical sites perched high on the mountainside.  Of waterfalls, spectacular valley views, equally spectacular craggy green mountain vistas, and endlessly energetic porters.   

But come the afternoon of the third day, after a rope swing evacuation of a sick colleague across the rampaging river, after days of the taste of coca leaves to ward off altitude sickness, and after one more climb up steep stone steps cut into the pathway, we reached Intu PunKu, the Gate of the Sun.  That in itself would be worthy of celebration, but turning to your left suddenly there it is in all its glory; Machu Picchu.