Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Tori Pines
Today’s the day we’ve been waiting for, and arguably the whole reason we came to Peru! It definitely is the reason most people visit Peru. To see Machu Picchu. Today we finish the hike on the Inca Trail and make it to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu.
This is day 9 of our adventures through Peru. I highly encourage you to read days 1-8 first if you haven’t yet. So jump there and I’ll wait for you back here to tell you all about this crazy magical, frustrating, happy day we had. Also check out my Peru travel guides and tips to help you plan your vacation!
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We were woken up this morning by our “room service” in our tents at 3:30am. Today is the early day. We will be completing the hike and making it to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu early in the morning. As we drink our coca tea we try to wake up as best we can. We pack up our belongings in the tent for the last time and groggily head to breakfast.
They have a very light breakfast today, and honestly we don’t want any of it. It’s hard enough to eat at 4am, but with the altitude sickness still affecting our stomachs we were not interested. After a little while we were on our way, saying “tupananchiskama” for the last time to our incredible porters and chefs. If you don’t know what that means, read the Inca Trail Day 1 to learn all about our sweet porters and their native language of Quechua.
We hike for about 5 minutes and then stop. We were so confused, but apparently the park check-point was literally right below our campsite. This meant we had to wait there until the control booth opened at 5:30am. We had over an hour to wait. So we laid down right there on the dirt path and dozed off for a little, we were exhausted.
That was, until the British group next to us busted out their ukulele and began singing at the top of their lungs. They were so lively and cheery and we were so tired and sore and sick. We joked about how annoying they were, but honestly it was kind of nice. To be here, in the middle of the Andes Mountains in the pitch black. Around a hundred people we didn’t even know singing “Don’t worry, be happy!”.
Finally, the control both opened and we were on our way. The final steps of the Inca Trail. We hiked for almost 2 hours, for about 3 miles to reach the Sun Gate Machu Picchu. When we started at 5:30, it was still dark out so we all wore our headlamps. They are an absolute must on your packing list for the Inca Trail. We used them this morning and every single night around the campsite. A flashlight won’t do the trick because you’ll need your hands.
We hiked in the dark for about 30 minutes. Then we got to watch the most magical sunrise over the mountains as we hiked. It was honestly so hard to not stop and take another photo every other second. There was still quite a bit of uphill in today’s hike, but something about it just made it not as difficult. We were sore and tired, but just so excited to make it to the end. We were just kind of wandering along with our new group of amazing friends in the cool morning in the mountains.
The last exciting and difficult part along the trail is referred to as the Monkey Steps. This portion is so steep and straight up that you have to actually use your hands to climb it. But it’s a short section and not that hard.
Finally, after 4 days of hiking we made it to the last long stretch of stone steps where you could see a small sign at the top. We slowly made it up the long staircase and at the top sat the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu. A stone landing that looks out over the incredible Machu Picchu that lies below. The first glimpse of the ancient Incan city, the incredible wonder of the world.
We had made it. All this way through an incredible, magical, spiritual and extremely difficult journey along the Inca Trail. I stood there in awe with a huge grin on my face, and that’s when I turned to my sister Ally to give her a hug and celebrate our accomplishment. But I turned to see her crying. Pure joy from making it to the Sun Gate Machu Picchu, awe from seeing the city below, and relief that it was finally over.
I’m so glad that we got to do this experience together, seeing the world, pushing our boundaries and learning more about the world and ourselves than we ever had. It was the experience of a lifetime with my sister and best friend.
We stood at the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu for a few minutes, enjoying the view and taking photos. I must mention though, the view from the Sun Gate is not the picture perfect view of Machu Picchu that you see on postcards. It’s the first glimpse you get of the city from the trail, which is high above the town.
Next we hike down to the city. It’s about 45 more minutes of hiking until we make it down to the classic view of Machu Picchu. The view is so much better in person. We took hundreds of photos, and then headed to the front of the site to start our tour and learn more about the town.
This is when the frustration hit. We pass all of these clean tourists in pretty sundresses and it honestly makes me mad! I mean, I know that we just have to be proud that we completed the trail and they didn’t, but I kind of wished we could have the place to ourselves for just a little while, you know, as a reward for our hard work! It felt like they hadn’t earned it! All they did was ride a train for two hours to get here.
One guy looked at me and pointed to the hiking poles sticking out of my backpack and said “Hey guys, look at that girl, she brought a cain!” It’s hilarious now but you better bet it made me angry in the moment!!
We got a chance to use the first proper bathroom in days and it was incredible. Then we started our tour and our G Adventures guide Gerry showed us around and taught us all of the history of the site.
And while it was amazing, it all hit me. This wasn’t about the destination. This truly was all about the journey. People hike the trail to get to Machu Picchu, but the truth is that the best part is every step along the way. Every beautiful view and new friend you make. The journey was far better than making it to Machu Picchu.
Don’t get me wrong, Machu Picchu was stunning and so special and the history is incredible to learn. Even the mountains around the city seemed to glow unlike the rest of the mountains. They seemed more lush and majestic. It was no wonder the Incans picked this spot to build a city. The site was named a wonder of the world for good reason, it’s truly remarkable.
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We finished up the tour and rode the 30 minute bus ride to the bottom of the mountain, to the town of Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu town. From there we walked to the restaurant where we would be having lunch and ordered the most American style food we could find, pizza and french fries. While we adore Peruvian dishes, on day 9 of our trip we just wanted some comfort food. Learn all about Peru’s cuisine before you leave so you can try the best things!
We had a few hours to explore the town so Ally, Lucy and I went shopping in the local market. It was massive and filled with souvenirs and Peruvian goods. And finally, when it was time we hopped on the famous train back to Ollantaytambo. The views were okay. But nothing compared to the views that we got taking the long route.
From Ollantaytambo we hopped on our bus and headed back to Cusco for our last night with our tour group. We were excited to have a bed to sleep in, but even more? A shower! It was glorious, and the water was hot. We said goodbye to our amazing guides and our incredible new friends and headed off to sleep as we had an early flight to catch back to Lima in the morning.
I can’t explain to you how much I recommend hiking the Inca Trail. It was very hard but incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to do it again.
Read my Day 10 journal next as we are back in Lima for one final day. And, be sure to enjoy all of my other Peru articles to help you prepare for a trip to Peru!
