To get closer to Machu Pichu, we grab 1 of the famous Perurail train, to ride through the steep and forestry valleys of the Andes. The train rides directly from Ollantaytambo to Agua Callientes, the village built in the valley just before MP.
Despite the very early start, the train ride itself is great, as I get good glimpses on the river winding through the steely hillsides of the mountains between few naps :). Arriving in Agua Calientes at 2,000m high, the city is quite ugly (more a stockpile of quickly-built houses along train tracks and a river), but the surrounding are -again- impressive with very steep mountains circling the city all around.
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| The Perurail train parked in Agua Calientes |
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| Andes mountains & river view from the train |
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| The kitchy Agua Calientes center! |
Freshly arrived at 9ish am, we dropped the bags at the hotel and most of the group is then coming to start a
hike on the Putucusi hill/mountain peak separating Agua Calientes with the MP valley, and from where we can have a direct view on it. I am clearly thrilled by the idea of doing some activity, as well as having a wonderful view over the Machu Pichu site, so I can't prevent myself of walking in the front at a correct but active speed, so it is a bit sporty! ;-)
Clearly, the hike, after an easy 10-15mn through a classic rainforest, half-steep trail, is showing off almost vertical ladders to climb up to... wow, no mistake allowed there! Physically, as we are standing abover 2,000m high, and are at this altitude only since 3 days, our bodies are still weaker than usual and we are looking for our breath often.
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| Surrounding mountain view through the forest at the start: yes it is steep! |
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| The impressive 1st ladder to climb: at least 50m! |
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| Andrew and the group climbing.. keep it up! ;) |
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| Another vertical part of the trail, no ladder though here |
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| Mid-view of the hike, the 2nd part will not be as steep, but still challenging |
After a good 2 hours hike, the top can be reached... and WWWOOOWWW, what a reward! Not only it was quite fulfilling to be have complete this hike and arriving up there, but the view... wow, THE view!!
The
Machu Pichu is just right in front of us, standing at about the same high (2,500m), and speading its nice ruins from the Sun Gate on the left to the Wayna pichu site on the right. Breathtaking!
Looking around at the incredible mountain scenery, I can also understand why the Spanish did not discover the site... it is indeed very tough to access it! And I would not have believed either that such a city could have been built on steely hillsides as they are. Bravo to the Incas!
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| Panorama view of Machu Pichu |
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| Machu Pichu, with the very windy bus road on the left leading to it |
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| A close-up shot of this great site |
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| Yes, we did it! George, Nina, Stevie and I, the 1st arrived at the top ;) |
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| Almost all the group, happy to have reached the top :) |
Spending time up there with the group admiring the views, Stevie, George and I are back down at 2pm to have a well-deserved lunch and few beers to hydrate... alone as the group spent much more time going down, as unfortunately one twisted an ankle on the way down. Nothing serious, but very bothering on this steep trail, watch-out and be prepared before to do it!
Later, we go to see the Machu Pichu museum... which is giving some history, background and details about how it was discovered and the various analysis and understanding that we have about it. Small but interesting, showing a bit how it could have been built, with tools and "technologies" used, reasons to build the various buildings, and what could have been the meaning of the site.
Not everything is fully understood and scientists / archeologists still work on the site and surroundings to understand more... a bit of mystery can anyhow only add to this fantastic city!
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