Machu Picchu

REI Tours planned our trip in such a way as to make each day better and better. The last two days were reserved for the highlight of the journey. We spent two half-days at Machu Picchu, first arriving in the early afternoon and spending about 5 hours walking the main parts. The second day we rose very early and got to the site as the sun was peeking over the mountain top and then we took some other, more demanding hikes.

Having dreamt about Machu Picchu for all these years, I have to say that, like hearing live music over a recording, it is far superior to actually be present in the place. My aim was to be present in the moment and keep reminding myself just to enjoy each moment in the space. It was not difficult.

At Ollantaytambo we boarded the Vista Dome train for Aguas Calientes, the little town at the bottom of Machu Picchu mountain. This lovely train has windows on the edges of the ceilings so you can see much more of the scenery. The service is lovely with drinks and snacks.

Here is one sight from the train window

We watched as hikers started out on the Inca Trail. They reached Machu Picchu 4 days after we did. (After reading Turn Right at Machu Picchu, I know that we took the easy way up for a reason....)

At Aguas Calientes, we grabbed the bus to take the switchback trails up to the ruins. I got a little lump in my throat just looking at the Andes in all their greenery (much more green than at Cusco) with the clouds and blooming flowers.

Only 2,500 people are allowed into the site each day. On the other hand a whole, whopping 2.500 people are crawling all over the place.

After entering and walking up a hill for 5-10 minutes, this is one of the first sites that greets visitors.

Looking down from that first site into the actual main part of the city.

Our guide was not in a hurry to get down to the city (I think he was waiting for the crowds to thin out). So we headed for the Inca Bridge, one of the 12 or so entrances into Machu Picchu. If you look at the greenery on this photo, you will see one of the roads along the side of the mountain. It is no longer used, thank goodness!

That road leads to the Inca Bridge (also closed).

Orchid along the path to the Inca Bridge.

Our guide, Jonathan, has worked with shamans, and has a spiritual understanding of the Incas. He gave each of us three coca leaves to hold between our thumb and forefingers. We breathed a gentle breath onto the leaves and then, as an offering to pachamama, we were to either bury them in the ground, or perhaps place them under a rock or in a crevice.

Placing the offering

Then it was time for wandering the ruins. The following are a few of my hundreds of photos from this day.

The temple of the sun

One of the many, many fountains we saw.

The rock in the foreground matches the shape of the mountain in the background. No coincidence.

Our group. It sprinkled a bit in the late afternoon, so we got to use our rain jackets.

Saw these cute guys wandering around.

The Temple of the Condor

My favorite shot

On the second day, some of us hiked the "easy" way up to the Sun Gate where the Inca Trail hikers first come through and see Machu Picchu. It takes less than an hour from the top of the city.

The Sun Gate

View of the ruins from the Sun Gate. Magnificent.

The more hearty folk in our group, aka the men, took the more strenuous (and scary) hike up Huayna Picchu. Only 400 people are allowed up this mountain each day. I had seen a youtube video about some of the steep parts and the sharp dropoffs, and H confirmed that I would not have liked that hike in the least. I am glad he went, though since he enjoyed it.

On the way down from Huayna Picchu, the guys took a little detour to see the Temple of the Moon.

Panorama from the top of Huayna Picchu, courtesy of our traveling companions.