Machu Picchu

DAY 5 - I woke up early, had breakfast then walked to Aguas Calientes bus station to buy my tickets to Machu Picchu. The return bus tickets cost US$24. Consettur buses run from 5:30 AM to 3:30 PM, transporting passengers to the site. Buses return from the ruins when full, with the last departure at 5:45 PM. The bus ride would take about 25 minutes on a winding mountain road with several switchbacks. At some of the switchbacks, the incoming bus had to stop and wait for the outgoing bus to pass.

Alternatively, I could walk 8 km (5 miles) up a steep mountainside path to reach Machu Picchu. However, with the altitude, this walk could be physically challenging, plus it would take about 1.5 hours so I decided to take the bus and save my time and energy to explore Machu Picchu.

The bus drop off was right outside the entrance to Machu Picchu. I had bought the ticket for access to the site the day before. It was 128 soles (US$40) and allowed two entries with passport required. There was a restaurant and the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge located outside of the site entrance.

Machu Picchu was the main reason for me to visit Peru. Walking past the turnstile to enter the site, I was full of anticipation to see Machu Picchu for the first time. I didn’t know if I would be disappointed after having seen its pictures so many times in books or on the Internet.

I can tell you that the first sight of Machu Picchu was a WOW! for me. I was in awe and stood for a while just to absorb it all. Machu Picchu is beautiful. The weather was perfect. I was so happy to be able to visit the archaeological site which was larger than I thought. I spent several hours exploring and taking pictures.

Machu means “old”, Picchu means “peak” or “mountain”. It was built around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned about 100 years later, and was not discovered by the Spanish conquistadors when they arrived in the area in 1572. Over the centuries, the site was covered by the overgrown surrounding jungle. In 1911, American explorer Hiram Bingham was in the region looking for the old Inca capital. He was shown to Machu Picchu by a local farmer’s boy. Bignham brought Machu Picchu to international attention. He returned the following few years to undertake clearing and excavation of the site. In 1983, UNESCO declared Machu Picchu a World Heritage Site. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

The story of the discovery of Machu Picchu, its strategic location in the Andes high above the Urubamba river, its amazing Inca architecture, and the mysterious purpose of the site are explorer’s dreams. Without further ado, my pictures are below with caption. Click to enlarge them.

My first sight of Machu Picchu: Simply perfect!

My 1st sight of Machu Picchu - Simply perfect!

East agricultural sector where farming was done along the terraces:

East agricultural sector

The semicircular Temple of the Sun:

Temple of the Sun

Machu Picchu Main square:

Main square

Temple of the Three Windows:

Temple of the Three Windows

Group of the Three Doorways:

Group of the Three Doorways

Ceremonial Rock:

Ceremonial Rock

Inti Watana - astronomic clock or calendar used by the Incas:

Inti Watana - Inca clock or calendar

The Guardhouse:

Guardhouse

Inca trapezoidal windows - from one window see through to the next window:

Inca trapezoidal windows

Stone stairway at Machu Picchu:

Stone stairway at Machu Picchu

Inca houses:

Inca houses

Llamas on site:

Llamas at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Closeup of the Inca ruins

I didn't buy the ticket to climb Wayna Picchu (Young Mountain) as it would require booking in advance due to the limited number of visitors allowed each day, plus it would be a very steep climb. I could see Wayna Picchu from Machu Picchu and the steps leading up to the top of Wayna Picchu.

On my way out, on the right near the exit, there was a small booth where you can stamp your passport with a Machu Picchu stamp. I certainly did!

I left Machu Picchu feeling very happy. I took the bus back to Aguas Calientes then walked to the train station to board the Vistadome train back to Cusco. The Vistadome train service offered a small meal, a short musical performance, and a fashion show. By the time we arrived in Cusco, it was evening time. I took a shared van (combi) with a few other tourists to Plaza de Armas and walked to hostal Inti Wasi to check in for the night.

It was a perfect day at Machu Picchu!

Next post: Lima.

Train to Machu Picchu

DAY 4 - There are two main rail companies offering train service to Machu Picchu:

1. Peru Rail has trains running from Cusco to Aguas Callientes (aka Machu Picchu Pueblo). However, please note that Poroy train station in Cusco is about 20 minutes ride outside of Cusco town centre.
2. Inca Rail has trains running from Ollantatambay to Machu Picchu.

Based on my research and travel schedule, I decided to buy return train tickets with Peru Rail with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes (aka Machu Picchu Pueblo). I’ve got my train tickets in Cusco as follows:

1. Expedition train #73, leaving Ollantatambay at 12:58 PM for Machu Picchu (US$56)
2. Vistadome train #32, leaving Machu Picchu at 15:20 PM for Poroy in Cusco (US$91)

This travel schedule would allow me sufficient time to go from Cusco to Ollantatambay to catch my train without having to get up too early on my departure day, and to arrive in Cusco on my return day so I could get ready to leave Cusco the next morning. Even though the Vistadome train was more expensive, I paid for it so I could be in Cusco, plus I got to experience both types of trains.

I was warned about luggage limits on the trains so I just took my essentials in my backpack, and left my luggage in the storage room at Hostal El Triunfo until I returned. I would have been fine taking my carry-on with me on the trains but the backpack was useful when I spent my day at Machu Picchu.

So I had breakfast at the hostal then went to Plaza de Armas. There are taxis and shared vans that go from here to Ollantatambay. The shared van (also called combi) is inexpensive, about US$3 for a two-hour drive. I got the front seat next to the driver which was great.

Here’s my pictures of my Peru Rail train and Ollantatambay train station (click to enlarge).

Peru Rail train

Ollantatambay train station

My Expedition train arrived and departed on time. Boarding was orderly and I got to my seat without any issue. The train was clean and comfortable. There was an Argentinian young woman sitting next to me. She had been to Machu Picchu once and was returning to visit the site with her mom and aunt. We enjoyed the scenery and the light snack included in the train ticket.

We arrived at Machu Picchu train station on time at around 3 PM. I followed the crowd to exit then asked for direction to walk to the hotel Pachakuteq. The path was uphill and lined with restaurants and shops. It was touristy but this is the closest town to Machu Picchu.

I found hotel Pachakuteq and checked in to my room. The room was small with a private bathroom. I stayed here only for one night so it was fine. The hotel lobby had tables and chairs for breakfast and vending machines for snacks.

Hotel Pachakuteq entrance

Street leading down to town square

I walked to the town square and wandered around town before having dinner at a local restaurant.

Machu Picchu town square

Machu Picchu tourist office

Got to go to bed early tonight for an early rise tomorrow morning!

Next post: Machu Picchu.

Exploring Peru solo

How I spent 8 days in Peru

 

I had wanted to visit Peru for some time but for various reasons I was unable to do it until May this year. Air Canada had a great seat sale for non-stop flights to Lima, May is the start of the dry season in Peru but not quite peak tourist season yet, and I could go away for eight days. The stars aligned so I took the opportunity to build my own trip right away. I knew the eight days would not be enough to cover many sights but my motto is “seize the day” and make the most of it.

Based on my research and my own interests, I decided on the following rough itinerary:

• Overnight flight Toronto to Lima then Lima to Cusco
• 3 days in Cusco
• 2 days in Machu Picchu
• 1 day in Cusco
• 2 days in Lima
• Return flight from Lima to Toronto

I booked my flight plans directly with the airlines:

• Return flights Toronto-Lima with Air Canada
• Return flights Lima-Cusco with LAN Airlines

I decided to book my train tickets from Cusco to Machu Picchu and my ticket to visit Machu Picchu after I arrive in Cusco as I wasn’t travelling in peak season.

For accommodation, I booked the following inns and hotels:

• Hostal El Triunfo in Cusco for the first 3 nights
• Hotel Pachakuteq in Machu Picchu for 1 night
• Hostal Inti Wasi in Cusco for 1 night
• Hotel Los Girasoles in Lima for 1 night

I planned to visit Lima on my way back to Toronto since I was more interested in visiting Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu than Lima.

For this trip, I packed a carry on suitcase and an empty backpack. The backpack was useful when I travelled between Cusco and Machu Picchu as the train ride had weight limits on luggage. I also bought a small amount of cash in Peruvian soles.

With the flights and hotel bookings done, I went through my travel checklist, and was ready for my trip. Lima here I come!