After just over 4 hours sleep we got up at 2.45am to try and catch a train to the next town but we missed it (we might not have got on anyway as a local train not for tourists), so we walked for 2 and half hours along the railway line mostly in the dark to the light of head torches to the bottom of the hill below Machu Picchu (with a packed breakfast from the guides). The the bus up the hill to Machu Picchu. The place was amazing and at lower altitude we all felt great and the sun was out. We even braved the steps to the top of Wayenapiccu - not sure if that is right spelling (the dome mountain you can see in the classic photo) to get the view which was amazing (really long hard climb!). Legs was exhaused by the end of the visit but best day of holiday so far. When we left even our main guide Adriel said "even the Andian man is tired now"

Train and bus back to Cusco and into hotel for shower and bed by 10pm (really long day but fantastic!)

The total trip was definitly worth it and a real experience but probably never again would I want to trek at altitude ;)

H

PS off to Lake Titicaca next