Machu Picchu seems to be one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world as well as one of the seven wonders of the modern world but honestly we knew very little about this place before going. Emily planned the trip, booking tickets for our visit well in advance and booking an Airbnb in Aguas Calientes which is Machu Picchu’s town. The only access to Aguas Calientes is by train, helicopter or on foot. There are two competing train lines, Inca Rail or Perurail. Both options entail taking a bus two hours to the train station in Ollantaytambo.
On the bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo the bus stopped here for a break. These two Llamas were managed by two deaf girls.At our break stop we saw this group of very young explorers being instructed on how to do this zip line.
Video of the zip line.The bus dropped us here in Ollantaytambo to board the train.Getting ready to board the Inca Rail Voyager.The train follows the Urubamba river all the way to Aguas Calientes.Almost there.Our overnight accommodations in Aguas Calientes were up 100 steps. This was the beginning. The steps got much worse as they progressed upwards. Once we were at the top, they informed us that there was also an elevator.This is the bus stop where they shuttle thousands of people per day up a winding mountain road to Machu Picchu about 20 minutes away. We were here at 5:30 am. 6:20am, we have been through multiple passport checks and finally entered the citadel of Machu Picchu with our indigenous hired guide. It’s 59° with scattered clouds, perfect weather for touring this site.Our first look at the famous peak.The clouds seem to be coming and going.It’s magical and ethereal the way the clouds come and go so fast.Our guide kept us here, which is the classic picture taking spot, for thirty minutes while he explained his theory about this place. He feels that there is an unusual magnetic field found here and at other ancient sacred sights around the world such as the pyramids of Giza. He also feels that this city is much older than archeologists have dated it.Our guide/photographer took numerous pictures. He wanted to take many more than what we consented to.Emily has her arm around a phantom Geoffrey who is supposed to be here with us. He went to the Asheville airport on December 27 and his ticket would not print as his passport expires June 3 and he was scheduled to leave Peru on January 4. The six months of validity rule. After hours on the phone with Latam Airlines he had missed his flight. He finally just gave up and went home. He did get reimbursed for the flight but we were all very disappointed.Another thing that our guide told us was that this site was built from the top down so as to avoid having to haul the large stones up hill.Typical Incan construction with each stone being cut and polished exactly to fit the next one thus eliminating the need for any bonding agents.The majority of these buildings have been restored/rebuilt.The whole site was built with multiple terraces.The Temple of the Sun.Our guide drawing out an illustrative diagram to prove one of his points.The main square of the ancient city.Looking from the main square back up at the classic viewing point where we entered.The Peruvian government has designated ten different routes to enable as many tourists as possible to see this site without it getting too congested. One of the routes allows one to climb the peak of Huayna Picchu. That route sells out the fastest.8am and it is getting quite hot in the direct sun. Everyone is stripping down including our guide.2½ hours and we have seen Machu Picchu. It is an extremely well organized operation. There no roads into this place, the only options are train, helicopter or hiking in.This town of Aguas Calientes is built entirely around the tourist industry.
What an experience this was, thank you Emily for planning it all and then taking care of us as needed.
[…] more practical, focusing primarily on cities and countries. That being said we did recently see Machu Picchu and do hope to someday see the Taj Mahal. But here we are at Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat was constructed […]
Leave a Reply