We rode buses 2000'+ through at least 10 switchbacks to get to the archeological site...and then had lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge just outside the park. We were ready to go, but needed the calories for the coming exploration.
Our first view after entering the park. A slight rain was falling, but we were here. Our guide offered two routes -- a flatter, easier to walk version, or the higher, more difficult route. We all chose the tougher but more scenic route -- Circuit 1 in the guide books. It was a a climb of maybe 150' on irregular steps to reach the postcard viewing spots....
Machu Picchu was you almost always see the pictures. Fog was rolling in and out, but we were here.
This lady was praying. To whom I couldn't say, but she is facing east and it was about 1pm.
Our guide took panoramic pictures of everyone in the group, situated a the spot where Hiram Bingham "discovered" Machu Picchu. Here we are, recreating the famous picture. I wonder what kind of phone Hiram used for his picture?
Cynthia was able to sweet talk a llama into looking to see what she was offering.
This is a portion of the road the buses us to bring us up to and down from Machu Picchu. Amazingly, there are steps that cut across the switchbacks, and we saw people WALKING DOWN from the mountain. I don't know how much the bus costs (everything was included in our trip, including these mountain buses exclusively for our group) but it can't be that much.
Cynthia has a way with llamas.
After a tiring 3 hour walk through the ruins we took the bus back, but we before we could board the train we had to exit through the gift shop.
We watched the Hiram Bingham depart while we waited for a replacement engine. We were delayed about 30 minutes while they found something to pull us up the hill and back to Ollantaytambo and our bus. They served us dinner during the wait and continuing on. There was an open bar and the wine flowed freely for some.
We arrived back at the hotel at 9pm with a 5:15am wake up call. We really had no chance to see what the hotel had to offer. But the time spent in Machu Picchu was priceless.
Our first view after entering the park. A slight rain was falling, but we were here. Our guide offered two routes -- a flatter, easier to walk version, or the higher, more difficult route. We all chose the tougher but more scenic route -- Circuit 1 in the guide books. It was a a climb of maybe 150' on irregular steps to reach the postcard viewing spots....
2 comments:
Thanks Dave and Cynthia for sharing your photos and thoughts of what appears to be a great trip. The photos are terrific. Brought back memories of our trip 2001 - nothing much has changed!!!!
Thanks Kathleen it was a trip of a lifetime. Guides worried now about over tourism
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