Peru
Lucmabamba – Aguas Calientes
Distance of day 4: 26,6 km. Accommodation of day 4: Ausangate Hotel.
Morning hike to Acobamba
With another early start, day 4 didn’t pull any punches. It kicked off with a challenging uphill trek to Llactapata, an Inca ruin overlooking Machu Picchu. Luckily for us, we could handle the altitude better so day 4 was less intense than day 2. What’s really special is that Llactapata is great to catch your first glimpse of the famous citadel. That is, if weather permits. After leaving Llactapata, it’s time to make your way down to soak in the mountain and jungle views one last time. After about 2 hours it was time to enjoy a simple but satisfying lunch in the village of Acobamba.
Afternoon hike to Aguas Calientes
After lunch, we walked the final 12km of the day, blisters and all. If you think you won’t be able to handle those last 12 kilometers, then you’ll be happy to learn there’s a train waiting for you as well. This luxury comes at an extra cost, though, as this 30 minute train ride costs a whopping 39 USD. 🤯
Arrival in Aguas Calientes
Arriving in Aguas Calientes felt, simply put, surreal. We checked into a real hotel (hello, showers!), then met our group for a well-deserved dinner. But not before some cocktail celebrations beforehand 😉 It felt a little strange being back in civilization, but we were more than ready to collapse into bed and rest up for the big day tomorrow. Machu Picchu awaited!
