Machu Picchu, Peru
There’s no easy way of getting to Machu Picchu.
It all starts in Cuzco, Peru.
Known as the capital of the Incan Empire at one point, this city serves as the connection to visit Machu Picchu.
I’ve been here once before in 2006 but tours to Machu Picchu were sold out.
Four years later and we’re back.
I think it’s important to know where you came from.
There’s a possibility that I have Incan blood through my mother’s father’s side of the family.
I like to believe it’s true.
If you look at photos of the Incas and compare them to Peruvians, they look very similar.
It’s about an 11 hour ride from La Paz, Bolivia to Cuzco, Peru.
That’s just part one.
Want to tour Cusco and the Scared Valley? Another couple of hours.
Then you take a taxi to the train station (30 minutes).
Take the 3.5 hour train ride to the little town of Aguas Calientes.
From this town you’ll find yourself a hotel to sleep and some food.
You’ve pretty much made it.
All there is left is a bus ride up to Machu Picchu.
If you want to climb the mountain next to Machu Picchu, I’d suggest getting there early.
They only have so many permits for the day that they run out early in the morning.
We got up there around 8 a.m. not including the 30–45 bus ride up the mountain.
Also, there’s no bathroom once you enter the park.
There are a lot outside the entrance so take advantage of them.
Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind the Incan site, is kind of an easy climb.
After wandering around in the fog for a couple of hours we finally hiked the mountain.
We heard it had amazing views and well who wouldn’t want to see them after you’ve traveled all the way over here.
COMPLETELY WORTH IT.
There are some tricky parts that offer railings or rope to hold on to. Other than that it wasn’t too bad.
And the views were to die for.
You can see Machu Picchu perfectly from a high up angle.
You can also see all the mountains that surround the Inca citadel.
It’s crazy to think people lived all the way up here.
There’s dense jungle surrounding Machu Picchu.
You have no idea what could be hiding in the mountains.
I’ll say it took a about 1.5 hours to get to the top of Huayna Picchu.
Highly recommend it to everyone.
There were rumors when we were visiting that Machu Picchu would close down one day.
Every year it sinks a little more and preservationists are worried human traffic could ruin the site.
One option would be aerial tours of Machu Picchu.
It’s not the same.
So get out and visit Peru!
The fog eventually cleared out and you could explore around the ruins.
Check out their intricate stonework.
The Intiwatana Sundial and or the Temple of the Condor or the Three Windows.
Llamas just rome around freely so be careful. Usually harmless as long as you don’t get too close or annoy them.
We went right before Christmas so there were not that many people.
Be sure to check the schedule just in case because the park does close down for maintenance in February.
I need to go back soon.
