Day 4
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| Our crew that got us over the mountain |
On day 4 we woke up at 3:30 am. We ate pancakes and then started the final part of the hike. Damon and I were quite excited to get it over with and get there first. While it was still dark we got into a long line with a lot of tired people. We waited until 5:30 am when they let us onto the trail, and the race to Machu Picchu began.
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| Our first view of Machu Picchu |
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| Beautiful views after the clouds cleared |
Damon and I immediately went ahead and hiked as fast as we could but we were pretty tired from the days before. We passed a lot of people that had been ahead of us in line and after about an hour we arrived at the sun gate. You were supposed to be able to see an above view of Machu Picchu from there but it was really cloudy. Mom, Dad and Maddie arrived 15 minutes later with the guide. Then we started the 30 minute walk down into Machu Picchu.
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| Tight construction of the sacred buildings |
When we got to Machu Picchu it was cloudy and not a very good view, but soon it cleared up. The guide spent a lot of time talking about the Incas and their civilization but soon we got to walk around the city. Some of it was being preserved by archeologists but the guide said that 60% was original from Incan time. The construction was amazing but I think the best kind was the stones that were perfectly built to fit each other. They didn't use any kine of clay to hold it together but they all fit so perfectly. The walls after ... Of years were still standing, and in good shape too.
Machu Picchu was amazing and beautiful. The mountains surrounding it were huge and I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.
- Elena
Pachamama Explorers - the tour company we used. I highly recommend them.
http://www.pmexplorers.com/index.htm
Amaru Hostel 1- Hostel we stayed at in Cusco. Loved it!
http://www.amaruhostal.com/
1. Dress in layers. The weather is all over the place. Short sleeves to raining, to chilly with a jacket and scarf, hat and gloves.
2. I would consider taking the last train of the day into Aguas Calientes the day before Machu Picchu then getting into the ruins first thing in the morning. With 2,000 people coming in each day it's nice to see the ruins with fewer people there. You can get about 2 hrs. in before the trains start rolling in with hoards of people.
3. Good walking shoes with a bit of traction so you aren't slipping on the stone stairs and cobblestone streets.
4. Don't plan your days too full or rushed. Because of the elevation you want to take it easy and enjoy each thing.
5. Even if they claim it is Alpaca in the markets - it's polyester. Nice and soft and cheap. The way to tell a real alpaca item is it smells like an animal, has a slightly "wet" feel to it, and it is not cheap! There are lots of nice shops all over Cuzco with beautiful alpaca items.
2. I would consider taking the last train of the day into Aguas Calientes the day before Machu Picchu then getting into the ruins first thing in the morning. With 2,000 people coming in each day it's nice to see the ruins with fewer people there. You can get about 2 hrs. in before the trains start rolling in with hoards of people.
3. Good walking shoes with a bit of traction so you aren't slipping on the stone stairs and cobblestone streets.
4. Don't plan your days too full or rushed. Because of the elevation you want to take it easy and enjoy each thing.
5. Even if they claim it is Alpaca in the markets - it's polyester. Nice and soft and cheap. The way to tell a real alpaca item is it smells like an animal, has a slightly "wet" feel to it, and it is not cheap! There are lots of nice shops all over Cuzco with beautiful alpaca items.
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