HISTORIC SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU 13°09’47.5”S 72°32’43.1”W
Machu Picchu: The Reward In the late morning on the fourth day, we finally met our reward from the trail: the historic lost city of Machu Picchu. Wake up time on our last morning was 3 o’clock in the middle of the night so we could leave camp by 3:30AM to be at the front of the line for the final stretch of the trail. We arrived at the entrance gate around 3:45AM, but the gate didn’t open until 5:00AM, so we had to sit and wait among hundreds of strangers waiting for the adventure to begin. At 5:00AM, the anxiety started to kick in as we all stood up and got ready to enter the trail. With this many hikers starting in the same place and trying to reach the same endpoint, it’s hard not to feel competitive in order to not get left behind. We finally got through the checkpoint and fast-hiked our way past the less-fast hikers, aiming to land in larger gaps between hikers where we felt like we could take a breather. It took another hour and all four limbs to climb the infamous monkey steps until we reached the iconic Sun Gate, also known as Inti Punku in Quechua. The Sun Gate is an archeological site and viewpoint for Machu Picchu that is only accessible via the Inca Trail, which makes it an extra treat for us, knowing that most common visitors to Machu Picchu don’t get to experience the same. All of our efforts the past four days, every step and climb, had led up to this moment. Machu Picchu itself was as awe-inspiring as I’d imagined, but what stood out most was how different it felt to arrive after four days on the trail. And realizing that we were taking steps through history felt like an honor we almost, but still didn’t quite, deserve. The Journey is Always Worth It My trip to Peru was more than an adventure—it was a reminder of the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. From Rainbow Mountain’s llamas to the Inca Trail’s countless stairs, every moment offered a chance to connect: with nature, with others, and with myself. Travel has a way of teaching us lessons we didn’t know we needed. For me, Peru taught the joy of presence, the strength that comes from tackling a hard task, and the beauty of finding wonder in the unexpected. And yes, it also taught me that llamas in sunglasses don’t just exist in picture books. If you’re looking for an adventure that will challenge and change you, Peru is waiting. Just don’t forget to pack your camera! You’ll want to capture every unforgettable moment, and I’m so grateful I did.
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MOTHER VOLUME FOUR
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