Caught the bus back to Map I approx 8.45am. We decided to attempt Sun Gate, which is the last part of the Inka Trail. Sun Gate is where you would first see Machu Picchu if you were to do the Inka Trail. It is a pass in the mountains where the sun shines directly into the Sun Temple down in the city right on the Summer Solstice.
It was a hot and humid day that started with heavy cloud and fog. We took out time had lots of rests, and enjoyed the magnificant scenery and photo opportunities. The trail was constantly heading upwards, with the last part very steep stairs, on the edge of a vertical drop. Ron was amused with me, as I clung to the cliff face along this stretch.
From this vantage point we could see Machu Picchu with all the additional agricultural terraces, along with the township away down in the ravine, and the very winding road with at least 10 switch backs joining the town and Mapi.
The city was shrouded in fog when we reached Sun Gate, but after half hour the fog lifted and the sun shone through. The treck took 1 hour and 20 min to complete. We went from 2400m above sea level to 2740m at the top of Sun Gate.
We then headed back down, taking nearly as long as the ascent. Was very hard on the knees. . .
We are both very chuffed with ourselves for completing the climb!!
Back down in the township, we met up with our guide from the previous day,she had lunch together then took us to the train station. We caught the Vista Train to Pachar station then transferred to a bus to complete the journey to Cusco. Ava and our transfer driver met us and took us to our hotel. We repacked and turned in ready for the next day.
The Andes Mountains are awe inspiring!! Everywhere you look the mountains tower above, with their vertical sheer cliffs and near vertical slopes. There is very little vegetation, but what there is, short grassy/shrubby type. There is not enough words to describe Machu Picchu, the scenery, the Andes Mountains, nor the experience of all of the above . . .