Inca Bridge - Dramatic Hike

Here we are at the end of the path, literally and figuratively, at Machu Picchu, the last adventure part of our Peruvian trip.  

There is a narrow path over a 2,000 foot drop that goes along the rock face of a wall to the Inca Bridge.  

This is the place where the inhabitants of Machu Picchu fled when the invaders arrived.  The inhabitants set fire to Machu Picchu, broke their pottery into shards, grabbed the gold they could carry, and rushed over this ledge.  When they passed the Inca Bridge, they destroyed the bridge behind them so they could escape.

Now, you can walk to where Rand and I are holding the sign, near the wooden bridge section you see in the photo, which is impassable.  From here, we went back down to explore the town of Machu Picchu.