Up very early today, as it's so early we get to have 2 breakfasts, but that's the only good news. Rained all night and very foggy and rainy when we got up.
Very hard 1 1/2 hour climb to Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman) Pass (4200m), to the valley of the Pacamayo river with its tropical vegetation. The view above isn't what we saw as it was so cloudy, foggy and rainy.
We then cross the Runkuraqay Pass (3950m). Here the selva (jungle) becomes visible on the slopes of the mountains. Sayaqmarca ruins are on a rocky promontory. They command an imposing view and have only one means of access, a narrow granite stairway. Our trail goes through cloud forest with vines, exotic flowers (among them orchids) and luxuriant trees, then on through an Inca tunnel and along a ridge above the Urubamba river to the lovely Phuyupatamarca ruins (3579m).
The views of the Urubamba and the snow capped peaks of Veronica (5750m) and Salkantay make these ruins one of the most beautiful places on the trail. An amazing place to camp, gorgeous views.
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