Machu Picchu, Peru - June 5th

Today started early with our driver picking us up at 6:10 a.m. for our trip to the train station in Ollantaytambo, Peru for a 7:28 train to Machu Pichu town.  We had tea at the hotel while waiting and they had our breakfast sacks ready to go.

Upon arrival at the Train transfer building we met our transfer guide and several of the other travels we've been seeing throughout the trip so far.  Janie purchased a hot chocolate to find it was bitter and not sweet.  A little sugar cured that.  One fascinating feature in these ancient communities is how they managed water from the mountains.

When it was time to board the train we were escorted by guides in Inca gear.  We followed our guide to the X Car.  They had two cars that had open air with musicians playing.  The temperature was 42 degrees this morning.

The train ride was about 1 1/2 hours with lots of wonderful scenery.  Half way they did a skit in Inca gear talking about the unlikely love that caused controversy in the royal court.  Like the airlines each car had two attendants that took food and drink orders for those interested.  This was a wonderful part of the trip.

Upon arrival we met our guides who took us through the typical tourist market place with booths full of things to buy.  We went to our guides office space under a restaurant with the entire group.  We went over the day and had our tickets all checked and then given a return time of 12 p.m.  By now it was only 9 a.m. so we had time to explore.

The best way to explain Machu Picchu town is a village at the foot of a mountain with a river, train tracks and lots of alley way walk ways uphill.  A  little town square and more restaurants and shops than you can imagine.  We heard during the busy season (we are visiting at the start) they have 5k daily visitors.  After seeing the hotels there along with so many like us and even several bus loads from Cusco (2hrs away) it started to make sense.   Janie and I wandered around the shops and alley ways getting our bearing.  Eventually we got into shopping until we stopped to eat something before meeting up at noon.

A lot of hotels for visitors staying in the area - Restaurants everywhere

Town Square

The morning bus line which for us was shorter

The Urubamba River

Church Entrance

Taco Carnitas snack with chips and guacamole 

Our guides broke us into two groups and we headed to the bus stop where all day long they have buses running none stop to the top of the mountain from the village.  25 minute drive on switchbacks that will make your stomach churn.  Views were awesome and worth the steep drop offs.  Pictures just could not capture the scenery.

Upon arrival your guide takes you through the entrance check of tickets and passports, then the 2.5 hour tour begins.  We learned so much about the Peruvian history that it was a bit overwhelming.  Bottom line is modern archaeology is correcting a lot of what many think as correct history.  For example the Incas may not have been as great as many believe as the civilizations before them were pretty much absorb by them, so they inherited a lot of the culture and knowledge.  The Spanish who defeated the Incas made a lot of bad assumptions.  Machu Pichu was not rediscovered until 1911 by Higdon Bingham as it was completely overgrown by the jungle.

Martin was our guide, studies Archeology at the University - full of stories and great guide

View down to river

So many views and historical facts that it just can't be properly captured in this blog.  A lot of mysteries about the location and why things were done the way they were.  Just an amazing site to see in person.

After the tour we made the trek down and got parting guidance.  Then headed out to finishing shopping and get dinner as we were getting back later than the restaurant at our hotel stayed open. 

Local Kids headed to practice with coach

More Pisco Sours

At the appointed time we all gathered at the train station and then boarded for the 1.5 trip back in the dark.  This time we were the 2nd to last car and we think that made the ride rougher.  The train stopped on a side track for a 20 minute maintenance issue, so who knows what that was.  We made it back and found our transfer guides who hooked us up with our driver and back the hotel.  Long 15 hour touring day with a 7:00 a.m. pick up for an 8 hour tour of the Sacred Valley tomorrow.