Machu Picchu

PERU - DAY SIX - Machu Picchu

Previous Blogs:

Day 8 - Sacred Valley | Day 9 - Salt and Terraces | Day 10 - Rain Forrest | Day 11-12 - Rainforest/Lima | Day 13 - Paracus

Click photos for a larger image...

This of course is the BIG day. One of the seven wonders of the world - Machu Picchu - one of the main reasons we are doing this trip.

Machu Pichu is a 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level.

The Incas built the estate around 1450, but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.

The abandonment was not planned as some of the structures were incomplete, clearly in the process of being built. No one really knows why it was so suddenly abandoned by the Incas.

Our day started at 6.30 am (again!) where we were picked by van and taken to the bus station where we had a 2 3/4 hour bus ride to a train station.

The train ride was another 2 hours to Machupicchu Town and then another 20 minute bus ride up the mountain to Machu Picchu itself.

We paid an extra $20 each so we could take the more luxurious train which had windows in the ceiling.

Heading up the mountain

First view of Mach Picchu as you arrive, breathtaking!

Note how the Incas carved this rock in the shape of the mountain behind. Talk about bring the mountain to Mohammed!

Yes, in places it is very steep - freaked me out!

Note the mountain on the right overlooking the site...

Now we zoom in and you can see terraces and people climbing on them, yes there is a very steep path that you can hike up to get there!

A LOT of terraces for agriculture. This city had a population of between 700-1000 people.

The views in every direction are beautiful

We then went back down to the town of Machupicchu (One word) which was very touristy, but quaint.

We then had lunch at a local restaurant, where they cooked our empanadas on a wood fired oven right in front of us! Delicious!

I guess with a restaurant this close to the trains we finally found ourselves on the wrong side of the tracks!

Cute little market with stuff made in China.

It was time to get back on our train again...

The train tracks follow a raging torrent of a river for 50 miles.

And finally...

I am not sure if having a dusty tourist bus named after you is an insult or a compliment!

But at least it is a Mercedes Benz!