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Polaroid of the Week: Machu Picchu, the Majestic Lost City of the Incas

Polaroid of the Week: Machu Picchu, the Majestic Lost City of the IncasWhen we embarked on our global travels in April 2010, Machu Picchu topped our must-visit list. Little did we know it would take nearly four years to reach this iconic site.

Last week, we arrived in Cusco and explored options for the classic Inca Trail trek, typically booked months ahead. Surprisingly, we found availability with just days' notice through several agencies. Our research uncovered the Salkantay Trek—a less crowded alternative. We spontaneously committed to this challenging 5-day, 73-kilometer (45-mile) journey through the Andes, with up to 10 hours of hiking daily. It proved the ultimate approach to Machu Picchu, far surpassing our expectations.

Machu Picchu's images are ubiquitous, so we feared the real site might disappoint. We were wrong. Perched atop a steep mountain ridge, over 85% of this 500-year-old Inca citadel remains intact. Reaching it from Aguas Calientes at 5 a.m. involved a humbling hour of steep stairs. We then ascended even steeper steps for another hour to the summit of Huayna Picchu, the prominent peak in famous photos. The narrow, uneven rock-hewn path was exhilarating yet terrifying, rewarding us with unparalleled panoramic views of the ancient city in its entirety.

This trek and Machu Picchu stand as pinnacle highlights of our worldwide adventures. Stay tuned for more in-depth details!


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