Peru Machu Picchu
Peru Machu Picchu
So for $235 dollars for a two-day tour this better be worth it! Peru Machu Picchu one of the seven wonders of the world and the most visited site in Peru and South America. When planning our trip to South America this was one of our must sees. Each guidebook for the region predominately features iconic images from Machu Picchu. For one minute however we contemplated not going!! In the end common sense prevailed and we can now reminisce on a spectacular trip to Peru Machu Picchu.
Peru Machu Picchu Simply Out of this World
The reason for thinking for one second not to visit Machu Picchu was simple, a matter of costs. We did not research the trip in great detail before going, just flicking over information in the guidebooks but as these can be out of date we decided to book the trip when we reached Cusco. Here there were many tour operators offering all kinds of trips to the area from one day tours to four-day trips. After receiving quotes from many agencies and realising that one day would be exhausting, we settled on a two-day, one night tour costing $235 dollars per person. For this price you would receive transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, one nights accommodation in a hostel in Aguas Calientes, return bus tickets to and from Machu Picchu and a two hour guided tour.
We felt that $235 dollars was a lot of money per person but we had to visit Machu Picchu while we were there. So on Tuesday morning at 8.30am our transport picked us up in Cusco not far from our accommodation. A private tourist minivan picked us up and other fellow travellers, including two guys from Norway, who we chatted to and laughed with as the driver first played a U2 song and then an Ah Ha song making us all feel at home!! We were transported back to the eighties along our 2 hour drive as further music from Michael Jackson and Toto, amongst others, played in the background during our trip.
We arrived at the beautiful Inca town of Ollantaytambo, here there were many restaurants and coffee shops but the most impressive sight was of the surrounding mountains and narrow cobbled streets from Inca times.
It was a fantastic day with clear blue skies and blazing sunshine to ensure a nice visit. We had some breakfast, as it was 10.30am, and our train to Aguas Calientes was not until 4.30pm. After breakfast we strolled through the cobbled streets past the vendors selling local handicrafts and up to an impressive archaeological site, the ruins of Ollantaytambo, where you could climb up many steep steps to a view above the town.
As we got there we were directed to a ticket office, but at 70 soles each, or nearly $25 dollars , we felt it was not worth it. It also does not help to see prices for locals (40 Soles) and hefty inflated tourist prices, which we feel is unfair, but it would not be the last time we saw this!
After more strolling about we felt we had seen most of what the town had to offer. Paula and I decided to sit on a local park bench where I decided to have a rest. After an hour or so I awoke and my skin was starting to turn a nice shade of red. I ignored wise advice to purchase sunscreen and in South America, particularly high altitude regions like this, are certainly no place to mess with the sun as you receive very little protection from the atmosphere, hence you will see I am a nice shade of scarlet in our pictures!!! After more eating and waiting we finally reached the time when our train would arrive.
Sure enough at 4.30pm our Inka Rail train pulled up and we were herded into our respective cabins. Luckily for us our seats were at the front of the carriage meaning we did not have to face fellow travellers and had plenty of room for ourselves. The train ride was memorable for a number of reasons, there were nice Peruvian snacks and drinks on board, an awe-inspiring view from the windows as we headed towards our destination and also because sitting in front of us was an Irish guy with a Polish partner!! Paula noticed that the girl “looked” Polish and the way she used some words in English convinced her it was with a Polish twang. Soon after I heard her partner speak and immediately recognised an Irish accent. After Paula asked the question “Are you Polish?” a slightly baffled and confused girl anxiously answered “Yes”, we had a great conversation not quite believing this coincidence. Turns out the couple live and met in London and Eoghan is originally from Mayo and Karolina from Poland, they were on a holiday after being at a friend´s wedding in Lima and decided to see Machu Picchu like all of us aboard the train. It was great meeting such nice people and we hope to see them again sometime in the future.
After two and a half hours or so we reached Aguas Calientes as night fell. Immediately we were impressed with this quaint and tourist orientated town. As the bridge led us over a river from the train station we passed numerous restaurants, shops and bars all catering for tourists. We were met by a guide from our hostel who walked us towards our accommodation, on the way we met another guide who would provide our entry tickets for Machu Picchu. We paid $235 dollars in total which included park entrance, however we still had to pick up the entry tickets. Unusually the guide handed us the equivalent in Peruvian Soles and we purchased our tickets to Machu Picchu in the town centre. From here we were taken to our hostel where the guide gave us a map of Machu Picchu and our return bus tickets. She explained what we would see at the site and bus times. There are two options for reaching Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, one is to trek by foot or another is by bus. The park opens at 6am and takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to reach by foot so trekkers need to leave about 4am. We decided to take the easier option of the bus which leaves at 5.30am, we awoke at 4am and headed to the bus stop some five minutes away and were there at 5.10am. Never in our lives have we seen so many people waiting for a bus so early in the morning, luckily there are many, many buses in line so as soon as one fills another pulls up. We hopped in and made the short 20 minute journey up the winding and scenic jungle roads. As we drove we passed the many trekkers who looked weary and sweaty and we were glad of our decision not to walk. Yes it may be a great experience but we felt we would have enough walking to do at the site.
Just before 6am we reached the entrance to Machu Picchu where a long queue had already formed, more and more buses arrived as we waited for our tour guide. We were told he would be waving a grey flag and after a ten minute wait he duly arrived. We then made our way, after jumping the queue! to the checkpoint where our entry tickets and passports were checked. We walked towards the ancient city of Machu Picchu and immediately recognised and were familiar with the scene we have witnessed so many times on TV and books. We were given a short history of the Incas and the reasons why they may have built this ancient city. Some believed it may have been a refuge for the most prettiest of girls living in the rest of Peru who fled to the area when the Spanish came. Archaeological digs uncovering many female skeletons gives rise for this theory.
It was also explained that the area provided perfect conditions where agriculture could be performed as there was an abundance of crops such as potatoes, corn and coca leaves grown on the steep terraces. We then headed up and down more paths towards some Llamas and were entertained as one decided to roll in the sand in front of us. We got more of an insight into Inca life and some of the impressive granite work used to build the houses which is perfectly preserved. We were then shown towards the dominating peak of Wayna Picchu which gives an amazing view of the city from above. Unfortunately you have to book months in advance to make the ascent and only two from our group had the privilege on this occasion.
We were shown the route by our guide to walk to take the iconic picture of Machu Picchu at the sundial. Our guide said his goodbyes and we headed up the steep slopes as the hot sun made an appearance. After a lung bursting ascent our efforts were rewarded with an amazing view of Machu Picchu and we took many pictures of the iconic setting. After a brief rest we headed along the Inca bridge trail which leads you along a narrow pathway clinging to the mountain side. For people who are nervous or do not like heights it may be a bit daunting but again we were lost for words as we took in the view.
We headed back to one of the tiered grass areas which overlooks Machu Picchu and lay down whilst having some snacks. Technically you are not allowed to eat at the site but a few almonds will not hurt anyone, and besides. after four hours walking we needed some fuel. After a long rest under the baking sun we decided we would leave as we felt we had seen all we could see, besides many more tourists were now filling up the area as the day wore on. At 11.30am and after five hours we made our way back to Aguas Calientes, the well organised bus system was in place and we immediately took the first bus back, along the way we again passed trekkers who were now making their way back down by foot.
We arrived back in Aguas Calientes tired and hungry so a nice meal in one of the many restaurants was had before our 6 hour wait for our train and follow on transport to Cusco. It was a long two days but worth it upon arrival in Cusco at 11pm Wednesday night. Was it worth $235 dollars? I have to say YES, I have reservations when it comes to famous tourist sites as many of them can be a big effort, expense and ultimately a let down. Machu Picchu is different, yes it may be some rocks and ruins surrounded by enormous mountains but it’s more than that. We will go a long way before we find scenery as impressive and Machu Picchu is a place I wished I had lived in a former life. The clever use of the sun to construct buildings, for example, not dissimilar to Newgrange, Ireland, where on 21st December the winter solstice is celebrated by light entering one of the megalithic tombs, here the suns position at 21 June and December were celebrated also. Moreover building the dwellings at an angle to prevent earthquake damage showed how advanced this culture was in its time. The Incas continue to give until this day as we were privileged enough to enjoy this wonder of the world. The excellent guides and constant maintenance and upkeep of the site will make it a place worth visiting for many generations to come but we still feel locals and tourists should all pay the same admission fee in the spirit of fairness.
Peru Machu Picchu
