Here’s the pic everybody wants.
Dave was one of the first four people inside that day. He was there after finishing the Salcantay trek.
… Unlike the classic 3-day Inca Trail trek, which requires you book a spot at least 5-6 weeks in advance (in the low season), the Salkantay Trek can be booked in Cusco upon arrival.
And it can be done for less than half the cost. …
To be at Machu Picchu at opening you need come from Aguas Calientes. Know that trekkers on the Inca Trail don’t arrive until mid-morning. 😦
besthike.com 
You’re right about that photo: photography for us amateurs is our modern substitute for hunting – we work hard to get it, then hang the trophy on our wall. (I did 😉
And also about the Inca Trail – a very worthwhile but annoying experience, due to the tight controls.
Not too many people when we were there if you remember Rick (and we were also among the first through the gates) and that was quite a bit before sunrise and yet I think I would have a hard time recovering any shots as barren as this. I have a hard time picturing Machu Picchu in this state any more (maybe at the end of the day) especially since the buses are apparently there now for gate opening as well.
However I have many pictures of Machu Picchu sans people simply due to the magic of Photoshop. Every time I see one of these that’s the first thing that comes to mind. Too easy to fake… or cleverly crop
Good examples of our trek here:
Both of these are either photoshop fixes or crops. I also have both without Rick magically in there but friends do make pictures a lot more interesting
Ooops, posted the same one twice. Here’s the second
I’ve done the Inca trail twice about 7 years apart. Really enjoyed it despite there being quite a few people – if your guide avoid the ‘main’ campsites you can still get some tranquility on the trail although it makes it difficult to get to the Sun Gate for sunrise. An unexpected treat was all of the other ruins on the trail – I really enjoyed exploring these before we reached Machu Picchu. One surprising thing was Machu Picchu was bgger the second time round! A lot of the lower terraces had been cleared and buildings discovered and reconstructed. It’s a magical site in a magical location – just hope it doesn’t get soo busy that the experience will be lost.
Nice blog. I’m going on a hiking trip in Puerto Montt next Summer.
Fantastic photo. It is progressively more difficult to present the wilderness, or any historical landmark, as unoccupied. I had to work hard at it on a recent off season hiking trip to Yosemite National Park in California. Often there were long waits to get a shot without throngs of people in it. The best were the tough or remote trails in the High Sierra.
If you’re doing the Inca Trail and manage to be first off from the camp site and can hike *very* quickly, you can get to that spot before people coming in from the main gate get to climb up (I did myself when I did the Inca Trail).
Most Inca Trailers don’t get there til later because they set off later and walk the final path section more slowly.
Thanks Geoff. I did not know it was possible.