Day 3 Inca Trail
With the most difficult challenge of the trek behind them the trekkers settled into a natural rhythm on the trail. It was an early morning start with a gradual 2-kilometer hike up to ruins of Runkuracay, a small circular ruin occupying a commanding position of the Pacamayo valley below.

From Runkuracay, they hiked towards the mountain pass of Phuyupatamarca. The duration of the day they descended into a magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging moss, tree ferns and flowers covering the terraced landscapes ending at the campsite of Winya Wayna.

Oddly, at this point in the trek many will start to say that the “descents are more challenging than the ascents. “ If you have bad knees you know how painful walking down stairs can be. Now imagine walking down 56,000 stairs over a few short days and you can start to put into perspective what some are feeling.

The evening ended with a traditional blessing ceremony under the stars. The trekkers, guides and porters convened