It had been an early start as the porters had to be at the railway station in Agua Caliente (Machu Picchu Village) for the 5.30am train with all our goods, as it was the only train they were allowed to catch according to Perurail.

So we were awoken with mugs of coca tea and basins of hot water at 4.00am. Rob and I didn't fancy trying to get ready in 30mins so by the time our tea was delivered we had washed with baby wipes and were dressed and ready, just as well as they started pulling the pegs on our tent before we had exited!

Our packed breakfast was ready, cheese sandwiches, a bar of chocolate, piece of fruit and two sweets, along with a top up of boiled water, then off they ran, the porters taking 30 minutes for the rapid descent to the village, while we savoured our last 2 1/2hr hike. 

We didn't hold out much hope of seeing the sun rise through the gate overlooking the site as the clouds were clinging on to the mountains like a baby monkey to its mum.

Just before the Sun gate we had to climb 50 almost vertical stone steps. Rogart and Elvis took our sticks so we had hands free to crawl, iguana like upwards. Half way up Carmen called  "Hope you're counting Barb."