2014_09_22 Trek Day 6 Lucma Lodge to Aguas Caliente

Jacquie and J

Richard and Hala.  Richard had injured his ankle yesterday so he stayed back with us at the lodge.

Leslie and John

The fast walkers could not be dissuaded from trying to do the Inca Trail walk from Lucma Lodge to Aguas Caliente.  Admil tried mightily but they wanted to try it.  The slow (old people) walkers agreed last night that this was not a great idea.  Hence, when the fast walkers headed off for yet another strenuous day we lazed about at Lucma Lodge.

Rich Rediker, Richie Steingart, Connie Ellis and Roberto (our secondary guide) went off on a short walk above the lodge.  When they were done, Rich Rediker continued on for a bit more of a walk.

Around 11:00 we started walking down the hill to catch a bus to the hydroelectric station for the train to Aguas Caliente.  We bounced around for about an hour - picked up a couple of young guys from the lodge that needed a ride to the train as well.

There was a spot where we saw an incredible sight.  Water streaming from a tunnel that was built thru the mountain on the other side where the dam is.  Water is released constantly from the dam site and the electricity generated is enough to service much of Peru.

We passed the checkpoint to Machu Picchu - Admil got out and showed his license and our tickets to the ticket takers.  We drove just a bit more and left the van and went to a restaurant used by Mountain Lodges of Peru.  The train wasn't due for about 2 hours and we were waiting for the other trekkers.  

Apparently, Admil knew what he was talking about.  They walked up about 1,500 feet and arrived at Llactapata Pass where if the weather is clear you get your first look at Machu Picchu.  At first they told us it was clouded over but eventually it cleared and they say it for the first time.  With binoculars they said they could see people on top of the mountain!

Then the fun started - not.  They had a drop of almost 3,000 feet to the train station.  A little ways into the descent they encountered a muddy slippery terrain and both Jay and Hala were injured.  Jay planted his right leg and it stayed in place but his right leg hyperextended.  Hala injured her knee short afterwards - falling down and bouncing on her butt.  Even Admil fell several times, injuring his hand!  They made it to the station and joined us at the restaurant.  In retrospect that probably should have gotten to the viewing point and returned back to Lucma Lodge and taken the bus like we did.  Admil told us in his daily report that tomorrow's group should not try the descent at all - too dangerous!

We all boarded the train and after some starts and stops reached the town of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu.  We all checked into the Inkaterra Hotel and it is another unbelievable place.

We finished dinner and will meet at 6:00 for breakfast and a 6:30 bus ride up to Machu Picchu!  It's finally here!  Can't wait!!!!!!