I went to Machu Picchu, taking a van from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then by train to Mach Picchu (Aguas Calientes). The van is comfortable and you get some amazing views while driving as well as the brief stop at MachuQolqa Viewpoint. Once you arrive at the train station you have time for a coffee before walking thought town to the trains. Inca Rail makes a spectacle of it, you are guided by staff dressed in traditional clothing and singing to music. The train ride is amazing! It runs through the mountains along the Urabamba river, it’s not fast (this is good) but it is very comfortable with a little show about (I think) an Inca couple.
If you just want to see the full photo dump go here, lots of pictures of Cusco, Machu Picchu and more.
Arriving at Machu Picchu the town is pretty much Hostels, Hotels, Restaurant’s & stores selling trinkets. Most of the hotels are closer to a hostel & the food caters more to the Pizza & Pasta crowd. I went to the Cuy Chef for a traditional meal of Cuy and a few Pisco Sours.
In Machu Picchu town you can buy your ticket in a line up (from hell) if you don’t already have it – DO NOT DO THIS!!!. It was hell. Buy in advance!!!
Some things about travel/trip to Machu Picchu. First you stay in the town of Aguas Calientes at the base. Its pretty nice, safe and fun to walk around. You can walk from town to the Inca trail then hike up, Takes an hour plus, it is steep & not for the out of shape. You can also take a bus to the top and it takes about 15 min.
You buy a ticket to enter the city that takes you on a pre-determined circuit you have chosen, and it must be done by a guide. You can’t roam the grounds and some areas are now off limits. You enter at a specific time, on the hour with your guide & are taken from point to point for limited time periods. No food, no selfie sticks, tripods or drones allowed inside, water is ok. Pictures do not do the steepness justice. Also there are no guard rails, if you go over you are a statistic.
If you want to climb Huchuy Picchu to look back at Machu Picchu that is also a separate ticket. Apparently when Looking at Machu from Huchuy it is very loosely shaped like a condor. I wish I could have done this, I wasn’t fully informed of the trip I was going on. Next time I plan for myself.
Because the Incan city is so popular they have to keep people moving, as well as protect the city. It sucks, I was disappointed I couldn’t roam or just sit & chill but I understand why.
The actual ancient Incan City of Machu Picchu is pretty amazing, the stonework & engineering is impressive. It’s special because the Spanish never found it and ruined it with churches & crosses. It is very busy, lots of people and far to many posing for the ‘gram. For the full photo dump go here, for more info on the Incan city Goggler it.
