Machu Picchu – Lost City of the Incas

Well, this trip has been incredible, each part has been absolutely wonderful and all different in their own way.

We commenced our trip to Machu Picchu by catching the Vistadome train and beginning our journey by following the river up the gorge to the village of Aqua Calientes.

Then it was a bus ride up the mountain on the switchback road (no cars allowed) to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Hotel which was our base for two nights.

As soon as we had checked in Pasquale took us for our guided tour of the “Lost City of the Incas” We have all seen the photo which adorns all travel magazines, well they are lucky, they get to take their photos with nobody in sight. This place was crawling with tourists, but we did our best and then went back in the afternoon when the tourists had all departed back down the mountain.

Our views of this most interesting place

The view from the Entrance Gate to their City

You just wonder as to how they were able to build this back in what is thought to be the 1400.s and so much detail. Water ducts all the way through, terraces for farmlands, just amazing. Just look at the quality of the stonework.

Llamas roam free

For the energetic ones who want to walk the four day trail this is where the trail reaches the Sun Gate and makes its way down to the City

This is the advantage of staying at the Sanctuary Lodge, you are at the park and the entrance is just a couple of steps away. We planned this trip so as to stay an extra night, just in case we struck bad weather, February being the rainy season and this also gave us the advantage of being able to be at the entrance when the gates open at 6.00am so we were up early and got another view this time under mist. See just how high up this little hut is.

Well this is it at 6.00am in the mist when we climbed up to the top to get a good view

And the views from the top

Now that mountain that dominates the pictures we see of Machu Picchu is actually Huayna Picchu or known as Young Mountain. The mountain that has the name of Machu Picchu is actually to the left as one makes their way down the Inca Trail. Here’s a shot looking up at the real Machu Picchu.

After spending hours climbing up and down, Poo still had energy left.

And one self-portrait

Another first time and it was a humming bird. Never seen one in the real before . So small and cute and don’t stop still for long. Apparently Machu Picchu is home to thousands of them.

Well, now its back to Cusco on the train, and tomorrow we leave by train again for our trip down through the Andes to Lake Titicaca.

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