Back at Machu Picchu -- but today this is just our starting point, as we'll hike another 2000 feet up (from 8000 to above 10,000 feet). Permits are required for these hikes, and there isn't time to see them all -- so we select Machu Picchu Mountain (our permit gives us an 8a-12p window for this). Edwin arranges our permits, teaches us a few Quechua words and shows us how to make a llama with your fingers as we start upwards.
This path is all stairs -- and all up (about 1600+ steps I think), surrounded by lush vegetation. Just like other Inca architecture we've seen, these stairs are well constructed and probably several layers deep. The Inca had no cars, wheels or horses -- so they got everywhere on foot. The fact that this trail is so wide makes me think it was probably an important 'highway' for travel between villages.
We continue upwards for 3 hours, enjoying the nice day (about 70°), as Edwin takes my picture from below. The climb back down only takes 1.5 hours. (I climbed stairs all summer to prepare for today's hike, and it was worth it. -DL)
